B e G r e e n , r e cyc l e
issue 30
MAY 2018
G r a b o n e , i t ' s o n ly â‚Ź 2
06 All together now
10 Minding Frankie
18 Riverfest
20
27
Joe Clarke
The Referendum
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Li
m e r i c k M agaz
Ab
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
W elco me T O th e l i mer i c k maga zi n e
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Publisher - Fusion Media, Limerick, Ireland
+353 (0) 61 394776
Neither the publisher nor the individual author(s) shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results.
hello@fusionmedia.ie
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T h e l i m e r i ck m aga z i ne
The Limerick Magazine Contact Details
editors notes: Hello Riverfest! kicking of what will hopefully be a fun and sunny Summer, (if not hello Spain) is Riverfest, which is sure to bring droves to the City this bank holiday weekend with plenty of fun for all over the course of the weekend.
Phone - 061-394776
It ’s a festival feast in this edition with details about All Together Now, Ireland ’s newest and most talked about festival and we have LSAD Unwrapped fashion festival taking place through Limerick venues in May.
Editor - michelle@fusionmedia.ie
Joe Clarke chats to us about life in the music industr y and we have plenty of recommendations for things to do in Limerick.
Email - hello@fusionmedia.ie Advertising - jess@fusionmedia.ie Website - www.thelimerickmagazine.com
However, with all this excitement going on, we must not forget about the upcoming referendum on May 25th. We must not be complacent and we must exercise our right to vote. It is our chance, a once in a generation chance to look after future generations of women and our health care. Enjoy the sunshine and please vote on May 25th (Also, I have to send our best wishes and huge congratulations to Paul & Melissa on your upcoming wedding, have an amazing day from all the team)
Editor in chief, Michelle Costello
Each month, The Limerick Magazine showcases all that's happening in Limerick covering entertainment, food, health, business, arts and events. Featuring some of Limerick's most talented people, with their lively interviews and thought-provoking opinions. We delve into the freshest fashion, beauty and interior trends to keep those creative juices flowing. So if you are a guest to Limerick and you find us in your hotel bedroom, welcome to our City or if you are a lifelong Limerick head, we hope you enjoy seeing the best of what Limerick has to offer..
Publisher - Fusion Media, Limerick, Ireland
+353 (0) 61 394776
hello@fusionmedia.ie
www.fusionmedia.ie
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Ge t Re a dy fo r A l l T o g e t h er N ow
FLEET
FOXES
*
UNDERWORLD
*RÓISÍN
MURPHY * MURA MASA * SPECIAL GUESTS VILLAGERS * FIRST AID KIT * MOGWAI * CHAKA KHAN * NILS FRAHM * YASIIN BEY FKA MOS DEF * THE NEW POWER GENERATION PRINCES LEGENDARY BAND * JIMMY CLIFF * KELELA * GROOVE ARMADA (DJ SET) * BOOKA SHADE * DAVID AUGUST LIVE *THE BLACK MADONNA * HOT CHIP (MEGAMIX) * HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR * MARIBOU STATE * JAPE * GHOSTPOET * TALOS * SAUL WILLIAMS * THE GO! TEAM * ISAAC GRACIE * J COLLERAN * THE LOST BROTHERS * THIS IS THE KIT * HORSE MEAT DISCO * SAINT SISTER * ELDER ISLAND * THE BOOTLEG BEATLES * SHANTI CELESTE * GRANDBROTHERS * WHENYOUNG * OSCAR JEROME * BOOKA BRASS * FISH GO DEEP * BIIG PIIG * MARIA KELLY * DAVID KEENAN * NIALLER9 * Plus many more to be announced across 10 stages of music, theatre, comedy, spoken word and more August Bank Holiday Weekend - 3-5, 2018 Curraghmore Estate, County Waterford
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To say we are excited is an understatement. All Together Now, a brand new festival in a stunning setting steeped in beauty, drama and history will be taken place this August Bank Holiday, from the original crew who set up Electric Picnic. The weekend will be one of freedom and escapism through music, spoken word, comedy, theatre, debate, art and workshops. The fantastic Curraghmore Estate in County Waterford is Ireland’s largest private estate and will play host to 10 stages including an alfresco crystal ballroom, Spiegeltent and a multitude of hidden and quirky gems. The 3000 acre world is home to lakes, fields, tree lined lanes, an intricate shell house, stone circles, crystals, courtyards, streams, fountains, woodlands, lawns - scenery truly befitting an festival of this nature. Music is an integral part of this intimate and special
artist, but also as an actor and activist.
disco sound!
gathering and the team have announced a series of amazing
Having started out as one half of Black Star with fellow
With their fifth album Semicircle released at the start of this
musical acts for their maiden voyage.
hip-hop artist Talib Kweli, they recently announced that
year, Brighton band THE GO! TEAM will be preforming.
after 20 years they’ll be joining forces once again to work
The six-piece produce infectious songs that are jam-packed
Joining many others, 12 more incredible musical talents will
on a new album. In the meantime, we can’t wait to see what
with pop, rock and indie combinations. Famed for their
take to the magical stages of All Together Now.
Bey has in store.
awesome videos, their live shows are a treat - so prepare to dance and smile your way through their set. Expect ‘girl-
VILLAGERS have been prominent on the Irish and
At the beginning of March, DAVID AUGUST released his
group bubblegum, giddy cheers, and peppy drums’ (The
international scene since the release of Becoming A Jackal.
second album, DCXXXIX A.C. This record sees August,
Gaurdian)
The record was nominated for tonnes of awards, including
who's been on hiatus for a year, embracing ambient music.
bagging nominations for the Mercury Prize and Choice
The hour-long release is made up of 24 tracks, mostly
22-year-old British musician ISAAC GRACIE will take
Music Prize. In 2013 they released Awayland, which won
recorded in single takes, that form "one long breath,"
to the stage. Inspired by familiar greats in Radiohead,
the Choice Music Prize and was once again short listed for
as the artist puts it. This is the first release from his label
Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan, Isaac has an instinctive
the coveted Mercury Prize. In 2016, their 3rd LP Darling
99CHANTS, a new platform through which August aims
knack for writing a devastating melody, and a voice honed
Arithmetic won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. With
to put out 99 total releases from an array of producers.
to precision. His self-produced debut track Last Words was
the release of their fourth studio album on the cards later
August was last heard with a pair of 12-inches for Ninja
picked up by the likes of Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Zane
this year, and a reputation as one of the most captivating
Tune's Counter Records offshoot back in 2016.
Lowe and John Kennedy, and has hit over one million plays!
performers on stage today, this show will be very special
Next up, a cast of performers and musicians collectively
Following an acclaimed spot at BBC Introducing SXSW
indeed.
known as HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR. With an
showcase in Texas, he has also appeared at Glastonbury,
ever-revolving lineup, this dance project continues to mix
Latitude and The Great Escape. This month saw the release
Hip-hop artist YASIIN BEY will be performing at this
genres like house and disco and all led by Andy Butler. Four
of his debut album “Darling I’m Not OK”.
year’s festival. Since his emergence on the world stage in the
albums later, collaborations with John Grant, Rogue Mary,
late 90s, Bey, best known by his stage name MOS DEF, has
the smoky voiced Krystle Warren and many more along the
earned a reputation not only as a highly respected recording
way helps keep the project inventive and creative. They have soundtracked thousands of dance parties with their fun
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Irish songwriters and musicians Oisin Leech and Mark McCausland are THE LOST BROTHERS. These are two very special musicians working in harmony and in unison. Since their debut album Trails of The Lovely in 2008 they have gone from strength to strength with the build-up to their brand new acclaimed album produced by Howe and Gabriel Sullivan called ‘Halfway Towards A Healing’ - “a sequence of beautifully crafted reflective songs that cruise along in an admirably unshowy way” - The Irish Times. Fresh from wowing audiences at SXSW in Austin this March, we look forward to their show. J COLLERAN, formally known as MMOTHS, has dropped the moniker and has changed direction. An electronic producer and creator of textured pop-electronica, his latest release, "O+SOH" is a hypnotic sweeping soundscape, an amazing taster from his eagerly anticipated debut LP, which will be released this summer, ahead of his show at All Together Now! Bristol based trio ELDER ISLAND are swiftly becoming renowned for their rich and unique sound. Katy’s sweet and soulful tones flow over multi-layered synths, beats, and melodic broodings to stir up any crowd to get up and dance.
OSCAR JEROME has been honing his craft as a musician
The atmospheric folk of MARIA KELLY will be a great
Sonically placed somewhere between the likes of The xx,
from a young age. He has worked as vocalist, guitarist
addition to our line up. Growing up in Mayo, Maria spent
Sylvan Esso, Mount Kimbie & Maribou State, there is no
and composer with countless acts and grown through the
many years crafting and developing her sound into a delicate
denying Elder Island are carving out a home for themselves
thriving South London music scene. Jerome brings all of
blend of atmospheric-alt-folk. First taking influence from
in the musical landscape.
his influences together, sighting artists such as Gil Scott-
the story-telling elements of Irish-trad, as well as artists
Heron, George Benson, John Martyn, The Clash, Ali Farka
like Regina Spektor and Lisa Hannigan. Maria released her
The world’s most successful Beatles tribute band ever - THE
Toure and Jay Dilla. His creative vision is to make music
track ‘Stitches’ and was quickly named one of ‘The 50 Best
BOOTLEG BEATLES have been bringing audiences of
with sincerity and pay homage to his countless inspirations.
Tracks of 2016’ in The Irish Times. The track went on to
all ages sheer joy with their hit-packed setlists. Established
With an acclaimed live show that has taken in Boiler Room,
garner an impressive 180,000 streams on Spotify. Her brand
in 1980, they have gone on to play huge, notable shows
Jazz Cafe, Union Chapel to name a few, Oscar Jerome is
new double sided single Dark Places / Small Talk.
across the globe - and have become stalwarts and favourites
well on his way to becoming a major draw.
of the Glastonbury Festival scene. Imagine lying back on the grass in the August sunshine while they play - love is all you need.
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12 miles of stone walls enclose the grounds, creating a magical space for this 15,000 capacity event. There will be plenty to see and to do, to spark your imagination, to capture your attention. Music to dance to, spoken word to be moved by, theatre to be entranced by, treats for the senses. Bespoke cocktails, fantastic feasts, musical treats and so much more. It is important to us to create a festival for families and kids to enjoy, be inspired by, to be safe at and to feel cared for. So, the team have curated an area to adhere to this ethos
Unpack your tent for this 3-day camping festival or check out our bespoke accommodation options. Those with families can make their 3 day home in our Family Camping Area, an independent space to retreat to with your little ones. Tier One and Tier Two tickets are now totally sold out, with limited Tier Three Tickets on sale - so move quickly! Fabulous landscapes, the dramatic backdrops, secret spots and hidden gems all lie in wait for you at All Together Now.
called‌. Kids Together.
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T h e at r e M I N D I N G FR A N KI E
Noel is struggling to be the best mother he can.
to rear a child, or at least a street. Maeve Binchy is one of
Clare originally from Galway became a professional actor in
those rare writers - like Dickens, Wilde, Shaw or Behan -
2003 and prior to that was a General and Paediatric Nurse.
Noel Lynch is struggling with an alcohol addiction, when
whose work springs from their larger-than-life personalities.
“I took the long way round to a career in acting! However I
he gets a call from Stella, a girlfriend with whom he shared
More so than other writers, their unique voices are captured
have been performing since I was 4 so it was something that
a drunken weekend. Stella is having Noel’s child; she is
in their work. This production of Minding Frankie once
was always in my mind.”
also dying from cancer. Noel must raise their daughter,
again makes Maeve's voice available to all those who love
Frankie. Social worker, Moira Tierney, has other ideas, and
her, and to those who will come to love her. We chatted
After she finished college in 2003 Clare has worked in
is prepared to do battle for custody of the child. In order to
with Clare Barrett who takes on the role of Moira in this
many different theatres and with many different Theatre
prevail, Noel must prove that he can fill a woman’s shoes,
sure to be a well worth trip to the theatre.
Companies at home and abroad. “I've just finished
break all the stereotypes, and become the best mother that
playing Gabby in the Abbey Theatre's production of the
he can be. Along the way, he discovers that it takes a village
Unmanageable Sisters and I'm thrilled to be on the road with Minding Frankie now until June.”
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Are audiences enjoying Minding Frankie - what’s the reaction so far on the tour? Our audiences have been fantastic so far so hopefully that will continue as we make our way around the country. The show is a great night out, a great story with some good fun along the way. Do you have any good luck rituals before you take to the stage? Not really it varies from show to show I like to be ready in good time, I do a warm up and then maybe keep the same order to how I get ready and dressed as my character...I don't know if I do that for good luck or out of superstition. It has worked so far so I guess that's my good luck! You have been in Limerick working previously on Angela's Ashes, The Musical, can you tell us what you like about the City? Any favourite pubs, cafes or restaurants? We had such a wonderful time while we were here with Angela's Ashes the people of Limerick were amazing hosts it was hard to leave, we were pure spoiled! My fiancé says I should have shares in Aroi. It was recommended to me when I was here in 2014 with another show and I always look forward to popping back. For lunch I was a regular at ZEST in the gallery. I'm actually dreaming of those salads and cakes as I talk about it. There is no better spot than Limerick for shopping and if the time allows I'll be popping into a lot of my usual haunts. At night when we were with Angela's Ashes we had many a good night in the wonderful South's Bar and no doubt I'll introduce Steve to it. I also Could you tell us about the production and the cast?
Can you tell us about the characters?
love a quiet drink in Tom Collins it has always been a go to
The production is called Minding Frankie and it's based
The part I play is Moira she is a social worker working with
spot when I'm on tour in Limerick or visiting pals. Oh dear
on Maeve Binchy's bestseller of the same name. It was
Stella, Frankie's Mum. The show is performed by just Steve
so much to choose from and only 3 days and nights I better
adapted for the stage by Shay Linehan and its directed by
and I with Moira and Noel being our main part although it
start making out my itinery.
Peter Sheridan. We first performed the show in 2016 in
wouldn't be a Maeve Binchy play without several different
the Viking theatre in Clontarf and as the show has grown
characters so we both play multi-roles.
so have our venues as we transferred to the Gaiety and the
Minding Frankie is a family love story by one of Ireland’s most popular writers. Full of Maeve Binchy’s trademark
Everyman Theatre in 2017 and now we are off on an Irish
Have you always been a fan of Meave Binchy's work? Can
wisdom, warmth, and humour, the hugely popular novel has
Tour and also going to Manchester, so it is most definitely
you tell us what your favourite books of hers are?
now been adapted for the stage. Directed by Peter Sheridan
the little show that could! The cast comprises of myself and
I first read Maeve Binchy's 'Light a Penny Candle' while on
and starring Steve Blount and Clare Barrett, Minding
the wonderful Steve Blount. We have been with the show
a camping holiday with my family, my Mum had finished
Frankie is at the Lime Tree Theatre from May 1st- 3rd.
since its beginning so it’s great to be working together again.
it so I grabbed it and devoured it! Her wit and human observation has always made her books totally engrossing
Article by: Michelle Costello
and magical. While I love Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friend's I think my favourite is still Tara Road....I still remember the cover ...I think it was read a few times!
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Fa s h i o n L i me r ic k S c h o o l o f Ar t a nd D es i gn U nvei l U nw ra p Unfolding in a series of stages across multi-venues in Limerick city, Unwrap fashion festival will celebrate the ideas, creativity and innovation of LSAD students, while paying homage to the college and city’s fashion history and exploring the future of fashion as a business. The two day festival, which will take place from Wednesday May 16 to Thursday May 17, 2018, is devised and produced by Limerick School of Art & Design, LIT and supported by Limerick City & County Council. Unwrap will present LSAD’s Fashion Design BA Honours Degree Course 2018 Graduate collection in an exhibition at the Limerick City Gallery of Art, in partnership with EVA International. The exhibition launch will also include the screening of the 2018 graduate fashion collection video, styled by one of Ireland's leading fashion stylists Kieran Kilgallon, and shot by film maker Albert Hooi. A unique collaboration between students from the BA in Fashion and Textiles for Product & Costume, and Digital Arts students from Clonmel Campus, will feature in a second multimedia fashion showcase. Unwrap will also host the inaugural Business Fashion Forum which will bring together some of the most influential voices on fashion including
Sinead Burke
(Minnie Mélange) and Aileen Carville (SKMMP). Mike Fitzpatrick, Dean, Limerick School of Art &
All Unwrap events are free to the public who will be catered
The Unwrap festival is also looking to the future of fashion
Design and Director Cultural Engagement said, “LSAD
for in a first come first served basis.
and partnered with The Hunt Museum to develop the
is synonymous with fashion and the Unwrap festival is
Future Fashion workshops for post-primary students.
about connecting a design ethos and a creative energy to
Home to the Sybil Connolly collection, the Hunt Museum
the entrepreneurial ambition that exists in Limerick City.”
will display the pieces created during the workshops and inspired by the Connolly collection, throughout the fashion
“It is also about marking a milestone in the careers of these
festival.
young fashion designers as they transition from students at LSAD to working in a competitive, creative and exciting industry,” he said.
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Photography by: Sean Curtain
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T h e r i s e i n p l us s i z e FAS HI ON Don’t you hate that feeling when you walk into a shop or
Parchment initially hated the idea of modelling, but
Lastly, BooHoo Man is my favourite store online. It’s
go online shopping and you find the perfect piece, but it
eventually came around, and has now switched careers. He
cheap, trendy and very student friendly. BooHoo Man
doesn’t come in your size. Welcome to my world. Being
reckons he is part of a major uprising in showing men’s
recently came out with their plus size range also labelled
6ft 3” and carrying that little extra poundage makes it hard
bodies as they are and says that can only be for the good:
“Big and Tall”. BooHoo Man has copied the model
sometimes for me to be as fashion forward as I’s like to be.
“Seeing other big and tall guys might help people accept
created by River Island but has brought a new spin on it.
This is changing however as some of the biggest brands are
themselves more.” ASOS might have started the craze but
Of course, they have sizes up to 4XL and 48” waistlines
coming out with plus size or big and tall collections. With
other retailers soon copped on and started their own plus
but they have a new defining moment of plus size ranges…
the average waist in Ireland for a man being 38” and most
size ranges within months of the ASOS collections going
A celebrity range. They launched the first ever plus sized
well known brands only going up to 36” its about time that
live.
range by American Rapper, French Montana last month
this massive niche in the market is catered for. I’m going
and it has done extremely well. The range features colour,
to give you the lowdown of the top retail offerings for the
River Island is one of the most popular stores in Europe.
vibrant prints and comfy relaxed fits. It is safe to say this is
fashion forward bigger man.
Having over 24 stores in Ireland alone including two in
a game changing move and it’s great to see plus sized men
Limerick one in the city and one in the Crescent shopping
in the entertainment industry paving the way by creating
The first store ever to come out with a plus size collection
centre. I know from experience that sometimes River
new standards of body image. BooHoo Man say this is
for men was online clothing giant ASOS. Over the past
Island would be a no go for me size-wise. Their clothing
only the start with more celebrities coming on board for
couple of months ASOS has been extending its menswear
is trendy and on point but their sizing was just way too
collaborations in the coming months so make sure to keep
ranges up to 6XL, to reflect the size that many guys
small. Following on from the success of ASOS’s Plus range,
your eyes peeled.
actually are, rather than what high end designers would
River Island came out with Big and Tall, to be honest I
prefer them to be. It’s been catering for bigger women for
prefer the name of this collection as it is much less offensive
On a final note, I hope this story opened your eyes up to
the past five years (the “curve” sector accounts for 20% of
than PLUS. River Island’s Big and Tall range isn’t quite as
the options there are for plus sized men out there. I feel
Asos’s womenswear sales) but now bigger men are getting
inclusive as ASOS as it only carries up to 6XL but at least
like bigger men are always cast aside and the focus is more
the same treatment. ASOS are one of the big hitters in
it’s a start. The Big and Tall collection carries everything one
on the plus sized lady which I want to deflect away from.
the fashion stakes and having bigger men included in the
could need in his wardrobe from comfy casuals to luxury
Men can have body issues too and I feel like this needs
biggest trends right now is important to them. They are
occasion wear. Their jeans go up to a 48” waist so there’s no
to be brought more into conversation. One of my main
also a pioneer of change in the fashion world as they are
need to worry about that awkward and sweaty struggle of
passions in life is fashion and keeping up with the hottest
changing the way modelling agencies take in clients. Before
pulling up ill fitting denim that everyone goes through once
and latest trends. For a while I felt limited with what I
the launch of the line, very few agencies had plus size males
in their life. The only downside to this line however is that it’s
could wear because of what the media presented to me.
on their booking lists meaning ASOS had to scout their
an online exclusive which I do feel is a bit discriminatory in
Now with major fashion brands accepting the plus sized
models from festivals, out on the streets and even in their
many ways. Why can’t plus sized men not walk into a River
male to a major audience I feel myself more accepted into
own office. 23-year-old Nemar Parchment, was spotted in-
Island store and have the same experience as a slenderer
the fashion world as a whole. I am grateful to these brands
house working as a buyer’s administrative assistant.
gentleman? It feels like River Island have jumped on the
and many others for taking away the stigma that comes
bandwagon to seem inclusive but feel that just having an
with not being “perfect” whatever that may be. Not all
online collection enough. Hopefully, pending demand, the
men have to be ripped and not all women have to be stick
collection will be rolled out into stores but at least it’s a turn
thin. There are so many different body types out there and
in the right direction for now.
fashion should cater for all. Article by: Reece Creed
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Vote Yes on 25 May. Limerick Vote Yes #Together4Yes 15
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A r t i s t P r o fi l e K ate O ’S h ea
A Limerick based artist with a broad social practice that
Tell me about your background as an artist?
The café is the reason I do what I do now because I realised
includes printmaking, sculpture, curating and publishing.
Okay I’m going to try and do this quickly but it is a bit
I wanted to bring people together and make a community.
Kate O’Shea’s work stems from a concern for contemporary
long winded! When I finished school, I was like art isn’t
It was outside town so it was all very utopian. From this we
social structures and the fractures within them; she
like something you could do in college so I went to study
created a festival called Nom Stock full of bands and artists
established her first social space at the age of 19.
architecture but dropped out after two years because I
talks. It is important to say it was never just me so many
wasn’t suited, I should have gone straight into art but I still
friends helped. Next year I went to study a PLC course in
Her most recent project, ‘Durty Words’, a book bringing
figured that wasn’t a real job so I dropped out and moved
art in Cork and it was here I realised “wait I can do art!”
together 60 artists, activists and writers from around the
home to Kerry.
then I went to LSAD and fell in love with Printmaking.
and practice today. This work is being co-produced with
I was on my Father’s land and decided to convert my
Why did you want to undertake printmaking as your
designer Victoria Brunetta as part of an MA by Research at
Father’s home into a café. With a friend, Aoife Scanlon, we
discipline?
Limerick School of Art & Design.
converted the building called Nom Nom café which was a
It was perfect for me. For me print is like the under-dog in
café, then we converted the barn into both a gallery and gig
fine art. It is not that it is misunderstood but it is just like it
space. The café we ran for 7 years during the summer.
exists in-between two worlds.
world, responding to the relevance of anarchist theory
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It was perfect for me though, firstly because it was so process based and then in workshop while working with the machinery it was just a good way for me to work through making the pieces. Then in the later years, as I had never thought of print as a political discipline, in my third year when I started self-publishing it was like everything clicked. It was like wait we can make the media, then it was through Rumpus which led to ‘Durty words.’ Your Prints are very politically charged and deal with themes of social movement and community, why is this relevant to the art you create? So as I said the first magazine I did was called Rumpus! We would print everything ourselves. The whole idea was art and politics together and the theme of the first magazine was community, so we wanted to create different points of views about community. We did this just prior to my degree show which included music, prints it was like a mini festival in college. After that I got the bursary for cork printmakers but then I got a place in sample studios. I was trying to bring the community together in sample studios, trying to
I was using structure and color and paint. My work at
While undertaking projects with the Limerick Spring
reach out to more people. That’s where volxkuche happened.
this point wasn’t text based, it wasn’t magazine based. I
and curating ‘Durty Words’, you managed to put together
Which means peoples kitchen. I did that with Darren
discovered in third year though that all of us were beginning
a show of your work called Hardwired, what was the
Kirwin, it was based on this German Anarchists movement
to get a lot more political so we wanted a way to bring
inspiration behind this?
of giving food out at cost price and creating a space that
all these people and communicate these ideas through
With Hardwired I realised I need to take time out. For
was non-commercial. That went really well and booked out
one thing. So being artists the logical step was screen
me being in the workshop is more for my own head than
every month.
printing a magazine! Talking about ‘Durty Words’ we see
anything else. See it is all connected and it all works together.
Then I came back to Limerick to do my masters by research.
how most things snowball. So I had my research started
I spent months in the workshop just making. I started with
That was my way to try and bring all this together, looking
on what anarchism means today and as I said we believed
color and layering and layering. All the ideas and research
at theories and practice associated with social change. It was
the natural step was to create a magazine. I met Victoria
then came in as I started to add text. Hardwired was about
here we started Limericks first people’s kitchen with Lizzie
Brunetta who is a graphic designer based in Limerick, we
showing people my research but it was really about my own
last September in the Urban Co-Op and also working with
had really similar ideas and she was interested in the project.
head space cause I wreck my head a lot and that helps me, it
The Limerick Spring team!
The more people I contacted the more momentum it gained
gives me the space to do the other things because if I don’t
and from here it turned from a magazine into quite a big
do that I know I would burn out with the other things.
From the small scale magazine called Rumpus you are
book! It is a collection of work from artists, poets, political
now compiling a book of artists, poets and political
activists. Just a mad group of people. Before that we thought
activists called ‘Durty Words.’ What set this idea in
it would only be 40 people, it should be done by now but
motion?
change takes time so why rush it? We are so used to instant
For the first two years I fell in love with printmaking as
gratification, I wanted to do it now but then I realised what
a process- so just creating work. For me it was just about
could happen if we stepped back and gave it more time.
Article by: Cathal Ryan
communicating, a way for me to communicate my ideas through print.
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R i v e r fe s t 2 0 1 8
The summer will be noisily and colourfully waved in
Visitors travel from across the country and many also from
across the May Bank Holiday weekend in Limerick as our
abroad for a four day celebration that includes everything
Shannonside city becomes the focus for the first major
from high-octane water based activities across the weekend
national festival of the year. Riverfest will attract thousands
to the country’s biggest fireworks display of the summer,
to the banks of the Shannon for the 14th year of a festival.
its largest BBQ cook-off, celebrations of food and fashion,
The festival is a carnival of activity and variety, all based
outdoor and indoor concerts and, of course, the Great
around the great waters of the Shannon, with much of the
Limerick Run.
high jinks on river itself. Among the major new attractions this year will be the first ever visit to Ireland by the Seabreacher Shark – a dare-devil ride all the way from Queenstown, New Zealand an 18ft ‘shark-craft’ that can travel at speeds of up to 80km per hour, soar 18ft high out of the water, dip up to 5ft under the water, do side rolls and doughnuts.
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The water based activities will also involve a free Double Zipline across the Shannon, Water Zorbing, Kayaking, and a social swim that will have hundreds getting a different perspective of the great river. At quayside there will be annual favourites such as The Riverfestival Village, at Arthur’s Quay – a weekend long cacophony of foods, crafts, vintage amusements, street performers and live musical entertainment. The Limerick Food Experience in the Garden of the Hunt Museum will showcase the best quality, locally produced food and drink that Limerick has to offer while the Saturday will also see one of the annual high points of the festival take place as Ireland’s largest BBQ cook-off takes place with teams representing cuisines around the world competing for honours. The weekend’s ‘Big Gigs’ will include Jack L on Saturday night and Bell X1 at King John’s Castle. Sunday’s Great Limerick Run, which is Ireland’s fastest growing participatory event, is another of the top features of the weekend, drawing an anticipated 13,000 people for three events – the full marathon, half marathon, 6 mile. Sheila Deegan, Culture and Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council, “The continued development and investment in Riverfest shows Limerick’s desire to grow our visitor offering. Riverfest is one of the civic festivals delivered by Limerick City and County Council to bring the May Bank Holiday Weekend to life in the city and celebrate the river. Festivals are an important way of bringing us together to share and learn about ourselves, our culture, our heritage and give confidence and voice to creative expression of all kinds.” Laura Ryan added: “We’ve had a very long winter, that very much consumed the spring but we’ll be putting all that behind us with Riverfest. It’s a brilliant mix of different elements and, most of all, offers something for everyone. The fact that the last act that many who come here for the festival do as they depart is to book again for next year says a lot about Riverfest. It’s a great time for Limerick and this festival is a weekend long celebration of that.” Visit www.riverfest.ie for full details of the festival Photography by: True Media
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Jo e Cl a r k e mu s i c I nte r v i ew
‘To be able to court and foster an artist in following their
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
Why did you step up from event promoter to manager?
dream and then it working out at the following end. That
I grew up in Limerick and from my earliest years I have
I guess it kind of happened organically, I really loved the
is a beautiful thing.’ Music manager Joe Clarke on the
always been involved in venues and with bands, running gigs
Rubber Bandits and wanted to see what more we could
exhilaration of being a manager. In 2009 Joe Clarke left
and festivals. I would have been the Ents officer in UL in
add to the obvious talent. That is always the challenge with
his position at the head of Trinity Rooms nightclub to
my early career then I would have gone off working for the
the manager to see can you bring added value to the act
focus fully on managing the Rubberbandits, under his
means of MCD and other companies like that around the
and what you can do to make the story different to how it
new company CWB aiming to create “large scale arts and
UK and Ireland. Then I came back to Limerick where I ran
would be. How you could change the outcome so that could
culture events.”Now a massive player in the industry Joe
a nightclub called Trinity Rooms for a number of years and
happen.
has helped bring the Bandits and acts such as The Strypes
then I began managing the Rubber Bandits and from there
to global success. Expanding and based in Dublin, Joe is
that led to the birth of our management company CWB
Did you always want to be involved in this side of the
still helping pave the way for Limericks cultural footprint
which currently manages a roster of 14 acts all together and
music industry?
helping curate plans for Limericks Electronic Arts Festival
runs festivals and does consultancies all over the world.
Well as my short lived piano teacher said when someone
in 2019. The Limerick Magazine caught up with Joe to
asked her ‘Did you remember teaching Joe?’ and she said
talk past ventures, music management and advice for future
‘Well I remember the really good ones and the really bad
artists.
ones and I remember Joe.’ so you take from that what you want, a lack of musical talent drove me into musical management!
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Where did CWB come from?
You are always making connections and looking to meet
What you see in him is someone who has undertaken
CWB was a company that myself and Paul Boland set up
new people, hoping people will look at your acts the way
so much, he went to Bulgaria to learn how to write for
along with Paul Webb back in 2007 to start doing tours
you see them yourselves so you can bring them forward.
orchestras, he put a lot of work into it and would have
and start producing event,s I suppose to a better quality
turned down a lot of other lucrative gigs, like short term
and with more imagination than we thought was out there
What is the process when you find a new act?
paying work at the expense of following his dream. I
at the time, and we quite quickly started doing things like
What we would do with an act is before we ever look at
suppose to be able to court and foster an artist in following
working on the Rose of Tralee, working on the opening of
booking them we would meet them a couple of times,
their dream and then it working out at the following end.
Thomand Park, working with big companies that we started
record some demos, have a conversation. Some bands do
That is a beautiful thing.
a relationship with like JP McManus scholarship awards
not need management some bands are on a track that they
that we still produce to this day and then it continued to
are perfectly happy with some bands then can benefit from
What is your advice to young artists?
grow. So the two sides of the company are the production
a medium term strategy where you go let’s hold back on
We are currently working on a scheme with some young
side which kindly is working on festivals, working on
the album a little bit more, let’s build fans a bit more and
acts in Ballyfermot in Dublin, what we say to them is be
orchestral tours across Europe and then the management
let’s get an awareness built up of them. That would be the
very aware of plotting your own path but plotting it really
side. Last year we would have begun work on our studio
current strategy with the new acts we have taken on this
well. Work out where you want to get to. There is a phrase
here in Bird hill and that would have been the studio we
year, like Montauk Hotel and Thumper they are currently
a friend of mine uses a lot and i slag her for it but it goes,
would have built first of all for our own acts such as LA
on their second or third single, they would be doing support
‘What does success look like?’ so you know when you have
Galaxie and The Strypes and stuff to come and record in
slots, couple of shows in the UK. We would be talking to
been successful so if your first goal is to support someone
but were now opening that out as a fully blown commercial
different producers and looking at how we would expand
upstairs in Pharmacia once that is done sit back and take
studio.
their sound. At the end of the day though, the manager can
a little bit of pride in having done that and then the next
only manage what is there so if there isn’t talent to begin
thing is releasing a track /recording a demo. There is so
CWB has expanded immensely; did you expect this
with the role of the manager is a little redundant. This is a
much noise out there particularly in the music business
growth when ye started?
job with long hours and heartbreak where every corner is
about what you should be doing and how people went from
I go into everything with the knowledge that we will just
sometimes financially awful but you have to love it or else
their bedroom to selling out an arena in two years and all
about get through it and get out the other side! It was
there is no point doing it.
that stuff and it is easy to get dissuaded but like 99% of the
always our ambition from the exposure we would have had
time the person in their bedroom had actually been spotted
from touring bands and acts and even back in my earlier
What is your favourite thing about working in this
three years before they ever came out, being coached and
days when I would have been working up in Theatre Royal
industry?
pushed and having money put into them and everything
up in Cecil Street you always had an awareness of that life
It is when you get that hair in the back of the neck moment
else. It is to work out what success looks like for yourselves.
of bringing something up to a level that lots of people are
when it comes together where your acts have sold out
interested in. That was something I was fascinated in and
maybe the Olympia or some show, or a production you have
What is next on the cards for CWB?
that idea of taking something that begins as a little sketch
conceived and put together. An example for us would have
We have shows in Europe and the US and then we are
on a piece of paper and all of a sudden it ends up going all
been Kormacs Equivalent Exchange show with the Irish
doing Music Cork in Cork. There are some shout-outs I
around the world and 50,000 people get to see it.
Chamber Orchestra last week in Vicar Street. That would
would like to give, people should always look at first music
have come from one of our acts that we managed for a long
contact which I am a board member of, it is a great resource
What is your role as a ‘Manager?’
time, he was always known as a DJ and he had a big band
for any bands and it is really good as a starting point. The
So my role as a manager would be to map out the bigger
and would have done a lot of music sound tracks and stuff
other thing is go to peoples gigs, help each other out. If
picture for the band. So one thing that is really important
but he never worked with an orchestra so we sat down with
you go to their gigs they might come to your gigs! Don’t be
for a manager is that they are not a member of the band,
him and worked out we were going to get to the point to
always looking to have that one finished polished song, put
they need to separate themselves and see the bigger picture.
him being able to produce this show with ten original pieces
out loads of songs. If you can write one you can write ten
It is very similar to the role of producer on a record; they
of music composed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and
and look for validation in the right places not from people
need to be able to hear what the drums, the guitar, the bass,
loads of guest acts and soloists so when that came together
whose opinion you actually do not care too much about.
vocals, everything will sound like all together whereas the
it was quite a thing. On the back of that show going so well
-Solid advice from a man who knows his stuff-
musician is concentrating on their own part being really
that show will tour Melbourne, Toronto and the UK at the
good. So the manager has to look at, particularly in today’s
end of the year and those are the ones that are particularly
world everything from revenue streams to remixes, to what
rewarding. That said every single thing, every Spotify play
the overall impression is that people have of the band,
we get for an act, that is all part of the validation process,
where the fit into the current musical landscapes, getting
that is what makes you go it’s alright.
Article by: Cathal Ryan.
the timing right on when the record is released.
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T o p Li ve M us i c V e n u e s i n L i mer ic k Limerick has always been at the heart of great live music. Sometimes with all the hustle and bustle in pubs it can be hard to find a good spot of live music amongst all the DJ’s. So we at The Limerick Magazine have compiled some of our top spots for live music in Limerick City. The Curraghgower Great for a trad session and located right on the banks of the river Shannon. The Curragower bar is at the heart of Limerick’s Medieval Quarter. Dolans Warehouse Situated just off the Dock Road, Dolans Pub is one of the best known spots in Limerick for Live music. Between the front bar which always has a band of traditional musicians playing away to the massive warehouse stage that has brought us so many big names over the years. Pharmacia Home of the DIY LK shows Pharmacia hosts local bands almost every week supporting the underground culture growing in Limerick. With a modest stage and a great atmosphere Pharmacia is a must if you are looking to dance to some live bands! Smyths Bar With live music every night of the week, Smyths bar is last on our list but certainly not least. Always busy, this top location in the heart of The Market Quarter is a must for anyone travelling to Limerick for a night out. Article by: Michelle Costello & Cathal Ryan Charlie Malone’s Hosting open mic nights and have original acts every night of the week, Charlie Malone’s is more a quirky and different interior to what one would call an old man pub. With a cozy stage and warm fire Charlie Malone’s is the perfect spot to head if you are looking for a quiet acoustic session with friends!
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE Kasbah Social Club The home of Seoada Shows, the company that has brought this city so many great acts, Kasbah social club isn’t outrageous in size but hosts one of the best stages in Limerick for live music. Positioned next to Dolans if you are around this side of town there is always music to be heard. Photography by: Shane Seranno
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24
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle that you know nothing about...
The Law The referendum on May 25th is about one simple
Under the 8th Amendment, from the moment a woman
A ‘yes’ vote is a vote for the latter, but what does that
proposition: whether to remove Article 40.3.3 and
becomes pregnant the state’s obligation is to try to ensure
mean?
replace it with the words ‘Provision may be made by
that both she and the foetus are still alive at the end of
law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy’, or
it. This may seem unproblematic, but it means that while
It simply means the Oireactas would be able to make law
whether to leave the Constitution as it is.
everyone will try to maximize the heath of the woman,
regulating access to abortion in situations that go beyond
the reality is that even if her health will suffer grave
those in which a woman’s life is at risk. Without the 8th
The 8th Amendment states that the unborn has a
and permanent injury the law compels her to remain
Amendment, the Oireachtas would be able to decide on
constitutional right to life, which the state is to defend
pregnant. As far as the Constitution is concerned, the
what the appropriate balance is between women’s health
and vindicate, as far as practicable, with due regard to the
state has done its job if a woman is still alive at the end of
and rights in pregnancy, and the protection of unborn
right to life of a pregnant person. In practical terms, this
a pregnancy, regardless of the state of her health and its
life.
has wide-ranging effects.
implications for her life, her ability to care of her children, and her prospects of future, further motherhood. The 8th
Let us be clear: nobody argues that the protection of
The fact that the unborn has a constitutional right means
Amendment is, thus, about much more than abortion: it
foetal life is unimportant. Indeed, supporting healthy,
cases can be (and are) brought to the High Court to
is about the care of all pregnant women and the clinical
happy and consensual pregnancy is in everyone’s interest,
override a pregnant person’s lack of consent to proposed
practice of physicians who are caring for them.
and earlier this year the Supreme Court confirmed that
treatment. Furthermore, anyone at all can take a case in
However, it is also, of course, about abortion.
even without the 8th Amendment the law can protect
an attempt to protect the rights of unborn life. It was
foetal life as doing so is in the common good.
through such cases that the Society for the Protection of
The 8th Amendment was proposed in the early 1980s for
Prenatal life is clearly of moral and ethical value. But so
Unborn Children successfully prevent the distribution of
a very clear reason: to stop abortion being introduced
too is the life and health of a pregnant person, and her
information about abortion services in England until we
in Ireland. At the time abortion was a crime, and the
ability to make decisions about what would be appropriate
voted in a right to information after the X Case in 1992.
Supreme Court had said that even though married
for her and her family. Since 1983 it has not been possible
couples had a right to privacy and thus to plan their
for the Oireachtas to strike a balance between these
families it also explicitly said that this did not extend to
interests: the 8th Amendment has taken that balancing
a right to abortion. There was no real political campaign
role away from it, and replaced it with a constitutional
seeking abortion; indeed contraception for ‘bona fide
provision that aspires only to the maintenance of life.
family planning purposes’ had just been legalised at the end of the ‘70s.
If the 8th Amendment is repealed then politicians will take on that role of balancing, and the government has
The 8th Amendment was a preemptive strike: it meant
already told us how they believe the balance should be
that the Oireachtas could never introduce lawful abortion
struck: by allowing a fair degree of discretion to the
as long as it remained in place. To remove or change it
pregnant person in the first 12 weeks, and almost none
would require a referendum. Now, in 2018, we are being
thereafter.
asked for the first time whether we wish to maintain that constitutional barrier on legislation or whether we want
Up to 12 weeks since a woman’s last period (which is
to make change possible.
about 10 weeks since conception) it will be possible to access abortion without having to justify oneself provided a doctor is satisfied that the pregnancy is within the protected period and the woman has taken a 3-day waiting period.
That 3-day waiting period does not have any medical
Between 12 weeks and viability, then, the government is
Repeal of the 8th Amendment and the introduction of
function. Instead, it is a key part of the balance
proposing very limited access to abortion and to strike
the systems proposed by the Government would strike
being struck in early pregnancy, providing time for
a balance that allows for foetal life to be ended only
a fundamentally different balance in Irish law. But this
further reflection, advice, discussion, and, if necessary,
where
would not be an unduly liberal one. It would be one
counselling to support a woman in her decision-making.
there are serious health reasons justifying it. This is
that recognises the importance of supporting decision
completely different from the law in England, for
making, of letting doctors support their patients, and of
Some people think 12 weeks LMP is too long, but
example, where abortion is lawful up to 24 weeks
protecting foetal life in a balanced and compassionate
the reality is that many women do not discover their
if there is a greater risk to a woman’s health from
way.
pregnancy until 8 or more weeks in because of irregular
remaining pregnant than there is from ending the
menstruation or contraceptive failure. Nobody would
pregnancy. Statistically that is almost always the case,
Without a ‘yes’ vote nothing can change. The 8th will
want a time limit that is so short that women are
but in the Irish law only a serious risk will be enough.
remain in place, and nobody—including rape victims
forced into a rushed decision. 12 weeks including
Even then abortion is only lawful up to viability,
and people with fatal foetal diagnoses—will be able to
the 3-day waiting period is the average time-limit
whereas in England abortion is lawful without any
receive the care they need at home. Instead they will
across comparable countries in Europe and generally
term limit where there is a serious risk to the pregnant
continue to travel, to take abortion pills unsafely and
recognised as striking the right balance.
woman’s health. Abortion ‘on the basis of disability’ will
illegally, or to be pregnant when they feel they cannot
not be lawful in Ireland, whereas it is in England, again
be.
Some might say there should be no protected period
without any time limit.
at all, but such a period is vital to protect and support
Article by: Fiona de Londras
women who have experienced rape and sexual violence,
Arguments that compare abortion in England with
most of whom never tell anyone what has happened to
what is proposed in Ireland fail to acknowledge the very
Fiona de Londras is Professor of Global Legal Studies
them and none of whom should be re-traumatised by
substantial differences between the systems.
in the University of Birmingham. She was born in
having to somehow prove the crime in order to access abortion.
Limerick and grew up in Tipperary. The only time that abortion may be possible in later pregnancy will be where a foetus has received a fatal
Those who oppose this have not told us how they would
diagnosis and the parents decide that it is best not to
provide a more humane and compassionate system for
continue with the pregnancy. These so-called ‘late term
such women, perhaps because they recognise—as the
abortions’ are acts of loving parenting by people for
Joint Oireachtas Committee and Citizens Assembly
whom the right thing to do is to bring the pain and
did—that no such system can realistically be designed.
suffering of their child to an end. For others this will not be the right thing to do. The new law will allow
After 12 weeks abortion will be strictly limited. The
Irish doctors to support people in dealing with such
proposed legislation says it will only be available where
a diagnosis and enable us to care for them at home,
two doctors certify that there is a risk to life or a serious
in Ireland, surrounded by the people who love them,
risk to health, and abortion is appropriate. One of these
regardless of which decision they make.
doctors will always have to be an obstetrician, ensuring senior oversight of decision-making. If a foetus is viable abortion will be a crime: the pregnancy will have to be ended by early delivery.
Disability and the 8th A note on language: [This article will use ‘disability-first’ phrasing as opposed to ‘person-first’ phrasing, as many disability rights campaigners, including myself, prefer it because our disabilities are not secondary to who we are, but a fundamental part of ourselves. I also will be using ‘women’ in reference to people affected by the Eighth Amendment for the sake of brevity, though I acknowledge that nonbinary people and trans men are also directly impacted by the Eighth Amendment.] I joined the movement to repeal the Eighth Amendment for many reasons, but the one which I return time and again to is this: as a disabled woman, the fight for bodily autonomy is one I have been fighting my entire life, and will likely spend the rest of my life fighting for. Disabled women face a triple-bind when it comes to our reproductive and sexual healthcare: we are burdened by ableist prejudices which lead to the depressingly pervasive idea that we don’t have sexualities, by the health issues we might have as a result of our disabilities, and finally by the daily struggle of navigating a world built largely without us or our needs in. These three, with an added dash of good old Irish misogyny, make for a hell of a cocktail.
The idea that disabled people either cannot, or do
There are also many health conditions which are made
not, have sex is an extremely common stereotype, and
worse by pregnancy. In my own case, I have Ehlers-
one that has an overwhelmingly negative impact on
Danlos Syndrome; this is a rare, genetically inherited
disabled people, particularly women. Disabled women
connective tissue disorder which means that all of the
in particular are frequently seen as ‘eternal children’i,
collagen in my body is malformed. This causes constant
innocents who neither desire sex nor ought to.
joint pain, poor healing from injuries, excessive bleeding from cuts, and near-daily joint dislocations.
This prejudice became starkly obvious to me personally
If I were to become pregnant, my hips – which already
when I first began to use a cane on a daily basis at the age
dislocate every second day on average – would likely each
of nineteen. Previously to that, I had barely had a GP’s
dislocate multiple times daily from very early pregnancy.
appointment since the age of fourteen or so wherein I
My pain levels, already high, would become nearly
wasn’t asked whether I was sexually active, or told about
unbearable, and I would probably need to use a wheelchair.
the pill. In the almost four years since I started to use
I would also probably have to quit my medications cold
my cane, I have been asked exactly once whether I was
turkey for the health of the pregnancy, which would cause
sexually active, and in that instance I was asked by a
intense withdrawal and almost definite relapse of my
consultant OB-GYN. (Apparently, a mobility device is
mental health conditions.
more of a barrier to my having a sex life than being a nerdy teenager who never went ou,t ever was.)
I very much want to have children, but it is no exaggeration to say I would be unlikely to survive a
Any sexual or reproductive health information I have
pregnancy. But I have absolutely no idea whether, under
needed since using my cane, I have had to seek out myself
the current vague constitutional definition of ‘threat to
– it is more than a little bit humiliating to have to do this,
the life of the mother’, I would be considered to be in
knowing that the only reason the information is no longer
enough danger to access a legal abortion in this country.
being offered to me as it was before is because it doesn’t
I, and other disabled women – including my partner, who
occur to many medical professionals that I might need it.
has the same genetic condition as me – should not have to
It is much documented that the less information given
live in fear of becoming pregnant, and of the potentially
to people about reproductive health, the more likely they
disastrous results to our health that this may have.
are to experience crisis pregnancies – there is no reason, other than the assumption that we do not have sex, that this does not apply to disabled people as well.
When planning our families, we should not have to factor in the costs of travel or the obtainability of illegal medication just in case something goes wrong. The
The risks inherent in an unplanned pregnancy will
Eighth Amendment casts a shadow over our family lives
also tend to be greater when the woman is disabled or
and relationships; unless it is repealed, the uncertainty
chronically ill. Many of us will be taking medications to
and doubt it casts over our lives will remain.
manage our symptoms which may not be healthy for the developing foetus – but abruptly stopping medication
The increased availability of the medical abortion pills,
once a pregnancy is confirmed can also be disastrous
misoprostol and mifepristone, have made abortion care
for a woman’s health, both mental and physical. And of
more accessible to disabled women in Ireland, who often
course, many women may not even be aware that they are
face even more barriers to travel than abled women do.
pregnant for weeks or even months – particularly if they
However, as long as the Eighth Amendment remains in
have a chronic health condition which leads to irregular
place, and women cannot access abortion care at home,
periods. By the time a pregnancy is detected, damage may
there will be women who need to travel.
well already have been done to the developing foetus. Many disabled women, particularly those of us with complex or rare medical conditions, are already familiar with having our healthcare needs exported to the UK.
This does not make the journey any easier. The experience of travelling abroad to access an abortion is a miserable one for anyone – imagine, then, how much that misery is
Men for Yes
compounded for those of us with ‘specific access needs’. Not
I’d like to see the eighth amendment removed from the Irish constitution. I feel strongly
only the isolation of sitting in an airport terminal alone, but
enough that I’m going to be out knocking on doors and campaigning as much as I can
perhaps also of needing to lie to the wheelchair porter about
on this referendum.
her reason for travel. In some ways I’m completely unqualified to have an opinion on this, let alone go out That is, if she could somehow, on the maximum Disability
campaigning on it. I’m a straight white man in his late thirties. I’ve been married for
Allowance rate of €198 a week, actually scrape together the
11 years, but my wife and I can’t and won’t have children. I think you’d be hard pressed
money for the trip at all. Or find a clinic with doctors who
to find someone less qualified to write or speak about women’s reproductive rights
had any knowledge of her disability, or access to her medical
than me. Yet it is precisely for that reason that I want to stand with women who are
history. Or, if she were a wheelchair user, if she could find
campaigning for this referendum.
a clinic she could actually get into the door of, actually get onto the surgery table of. And that isn’t even touching on the
I am an incredibly lucky person. I am a straight, white male. I was born in a relatively
difficulties of accessing adequate aftercare if complications
rich country. I received a good education, most of it free of charge. I am a beneficiary
do occur: which they are far more likely to if the patient has
of most of the structural inequality in this country, because I am on the winning side
pre-existing conditions.
of it. I live in a country where women are paid less, where people who grow up in disadvantaged families are themselves more likely to suffer disadvantage as adults, etc.
The reality of the Eighth Amendment is this: it does not
etc. And (bear with me!) sometimes that’s difficult. It’s not my individual fault, right?
protect women, and it does not protect disabled people.
I’m doing the best I can to be a decent person, occasionally succeeding, and while I didn’t create my genetic, historical and social good luck I can’t really do anything to
There have been claims by some defenders of the Eighth
reverse it either. But I can empathise, and imagine. Imagine what it is like to not have
Amendment that a liberalisation of Ireland’s abortion laws
the rights and privileges that I enjoy by accident. And, in particular, imagine what it
will lead to women en masse deciding to have abortions
might be like to have the fricking constitution inserting itself between me and my
when they receive diagnoses of foetal disabilities; this is not
doctor on what is the best for my health, life and well-being.
a point that I want to address, but I feel it is one that I must. This argument, to my mind, is rooted solely in ableism; in
It is just awful that Irish women not only have had to put up with an incredibly draconian
the appalling assertion that women will only knowingly
reproductive rights regime, but that, over the next two-and-a-bit months, they have to
give birth to disabled children if they do not have a choice
go out to the Irish people and ask and say please. Ask and say please for rights that they
in the matter. It is simply ableism couched in paternalism:
would enjoy in almost every other developed country.
disabled people need protecting, and we only exist because of a moralistic control of women’s reproductive choices.
I think it is time for Irish men like me, with our privilege and our luck and our sorrybut-what-can-you-do demeanour to stand up. Stand beside the women who are
As a disabled woman, I reject this utterly, and I say this: if
campaigning for control over their own bodies. Stand up and say please to the Irish
we are to protect disabled people, we must repeal the Eighth
voters who will ultimately decide on their rights.
Amendment, and allow disabled women to have control over our reproductive choices and appropriate continuity of
I know there are many people, some of whom are my friends, who disagree with my
care when we access abortion care. We must remove barriers
views on abortion, and I want to do my best to respect those views. I’m sure what I’ve
to sexual and reproductive health education, not only for
written here may sound tone-deaf, patronising or even insulting to women. I know I’ve
abled but for disabled people, taking our differing needs
a lot to learn. With rights and privilege come a responsibility to fight for those without.
into account. We must accept that reproductive healthcare,
Offering to help out in this referendum campaign may not atone for the rights and
including abortion care, is as much of a healthcare right as
privilege that I have been gifted, but it feels like a start. If you’re lucky, like me, you’d be
any other, and we must strive to make it free, safe, legal and
very welcome to come and put your shoulder to the wheel.
accessible to disabled women. Article by: Thomas Bibby – Limerick Together for Yes Article by: Aisling Kenny
My Eggsistentialism
Two years ago, I wrote a play about my journey to a decision
Every time that I sit on my bed or toilet seat with a
Like Miss P, a 20 year old woman who in 2014, though
about whether or not to try to have children. In the show I
pregnancy test in my hand, I will wait for the result knowing
clinically dead from a head trauma, was kept alive as a
wanted to look at how political and cultural contexts inform
that the moment a second pink stripe appears on the test
human incubator against her family’s wishes by somatic life
personal life decisions and so alongside my own journey I
will be the moment that I become less in the eyes of the
support because she was found to be 15 weeks pregnant.
also looked at Ireland’s reproductive health history from the
state. I know that that stripe will strip me of rights I had just
Although the High Court ruled in favour of her family,
inception of the state to chart the sequence of events that
the day before. The right to healthcare without qualification.
the decision was informed by the evidence of seven doctors
have brought us to where we are today.
The right to assume that if there was a complication or if I
who said they didn’t believe the foetus would have survived
was to become ill during my pregnancy, that the doctors
anyway.
One of those events was the addition to the Irish constitution
would be able to do everything that they could to treat me
by referendum of the 8th amendment in 1983, which gives
appropriately, immediately and without question to protect
Because of these cases and others, I will hold the test
unborn foetuses and pregnant mothers an equal right to life.
my health or save my life. The right to give informed
knowing that becoming pregnant will mean I am less
consent to medical procedures and decisions at every stage
valued, less cherished, less protected, less safe; That my
of my maternity care and to refuse unwanted interventions.
healthcare will be qualified; That I will lose the right to
This detail in my show - and in our shared history - is not something that has directly affected me in my life until now.
informed consent; That unclear legislation and an inchoate
I’ve never been pregnant so I’ve never been in a position
I worry that I might be treated like Mother B, Geraldine
where I needed to consider having an abortion. But now
Williams, who was taken to court by the HSE in 2016 in
Article by: Joanne Ryan
that I have made the decision with my partner to try and
an attempt to force her to have a caesarean section against
Photography by: Eoghan Lyons
have a child, I find that in fact I am suddenly very much
her will. Or like Savita Halappanavar, who was refused a
affected by it. I am affected because the 8th Amendment not
life-saving termination in 2012, despite the fact that she
only prevents women from having access to safe and legal
had already started to miscarry and would lose her baby
abortion, it also affects the rights and care of all pregnant
regardless, because a foetal heartbeat was detected.
women in Ireland. Or like Michelle Harte, a nurse who in 2010 was refused cancer treatment while pregnant and then a refused a legal termination by a hospital ethics forum and so had to travel, while gravely ill, to the UK for a termination, delaying her cancer treatment for weeks. Before she died she sued the state for violation of her human rights.
THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
Working remotely, I am not privy to the exact saturated
I would advocate that our Government provide further
experience those of you living at home have. I am delighted
tailored support for the physical and mental health for
when I hear that the media, particularly radio, are giving
parents in such cases. In Ireland, it is legally and medically
voice to a variety of people across society- young and old,
viewed that if carrying the pregnancy to full term causes no
male and female. From talking to people at a personal
threat to the mother, there is no need to intervene. While
level I have noted that there can still be a discourse against
such cases are perhaps at the crux of the heart ache, voting
men having an opinion on this matter, from both men and
'Yes' now only means we hand the decision of what actual
women. This is not simply 'a womens issue'; I am a woman,
laws will be put in place to the Oireachtas Committee,
a woman alone did not make me, my mother and my father
who have not publicised a definite phrasing of potential
are the reason I am here today. Another issue we have in
new laws. Great consideration has been given to abortion
society is the fragility of mental health, particularly in
being available up to 12 weeks at the choice of the mother-
men, and saying they are not entitled to an opinion on this
meaning, not just severe cases mentioned above, but with
This is an opinion piece, but hopefully informative. I would
matter, the matter of life, is unfair, and not right. Likewise,
free choice to abort any unborn child.
be identified as Anti-Choice by many but consider myself
for men to say 'it's not my decision' or 'it has nothing to do
Pro-Life. I am Pro-Life because I believe the unborn child
with me', is an absolute cop-out. Inform yourselves- do your
If only the Government educated accordingly, provided
does have rights. It saddens me greatly to hear of the many
own research.
a compulsory and set curriculum on the ideas of consent,
Saving the 8th
instances where our existing laws have not been adhered to
understanding of the life cycle- how pregnancy occurs
and women’s' health has not been prioritised. I would be of
I believe the biggest issue at the root of the entire debate is
and the menstrual cycle, in addition to the impact and
the thought that our medical system is under-funded and
that our government has not educated society or explored
responsibility of having a child. Our Government lacks so
under-resourced and believe our government should focus
themselves, these key areas, and this has been an ongoing
much, in so many aspects of their governing it is exhausting
on developing that.
issue for decades.
to even think of it. They should; Support newly expectant mothers and fathers; have low-cost clinics that open the
This is not an easy topic to discuss and I have found
Areas such as:
discussion on how to deal with having a child, the cost,
it challenging, often remaining silent for fear of being
1) Consent
the change in life path, the new routines and financial side;
condemned for saying the wrong thing, yet it is through
2) The Menstrual/ Life Cycle
provide free contraception; support the mental health of
discussion that we learn. No matter what your opinion, I
3) Abortion itself- the details of the procedure, the
the mother and father of unplanned pregnancies; provide
ask you to consider my words. Please also bear in mind,
implications it would have on our society as means of
and advertise amply the facilities to aid the parents to-
there is absolutely no way a single article, discussion or
financing, and in my eyes, more importantly, the people we
be, because there is no point in services being available if
video post can completely encapsulate all parts of the
share life with.
people don't know they are there to use them.
use this space to create discussion and provoke thought, not
On this last point, as the 8th Amendment stands, women
Most importantly, they should ensure that a discourse
make demands and give directions.
whose baby will not live for long or at all after birth are
is created where diverse opinions and understanding are
required to carry the baby to full term. I can only imagine
fostered and developed, without promoting such extremities
the turmoil a woman, or indeed a couple, going through this
that this debate already has created, with people in the
must deal with. In the cases of fatal foetal abnormalities,
public crudely mocking each other and tearing each other
and indeed in the cases of severe foetal abnormalities, where
down- create an environment where a mature and informed
the child may survive but suffer many conditions, anti-natal
debate can occur. We have not been educated and supported
care is available.
as a people so we are angry and driving the debate with fury.
debate; any offensive omissions are unintended as I want to
As the 8th Amendment stands, "The State acknowledges
32
Labor and delivery continue as normal, but every case is
the right to life of the unborn and, with due and equal
individual and often expectant parents and obstetricians
regard to the equal right to life of the mother". The 2012
bring forward the delivery date through induction of
death of Savita Halappanavar is often used as a tool in the
the labor, in full understanding of the implications and
debate. Two enquiries and one inquest into the tragic death
possibilities of the given situation. There is no legal guidance
of Savita found the medical practitioners were neglectful of
on this currently, but doctors work with parents to provide
her needs as a patient (on 13 occasions), and in turn they
them with the best option for them.
neglected following the existing laws.
The 8th Amendment is not the cause of the awful result- a
Women should not feel degraded or dehumanised during
The mental torture and trauma of being raped is incredible,
death. Women can be rightfully treated for cancer, sepsis,
the process of their pregnancy. Funding into the medical
never mind having to deal with a resulting pregnancy.
and any other condition to save their life, even if it results
service should be prioritised so staff are not stretched so
Likewise, women who have made the decision that abortion
in the death of an unborn child according to current laws.
thin, and medical staff expectations in how to treat expectant
was the right solution for them, have trauma to deal with,
These facts come from a collection of sources, they are also
parents, in particular, women should be constantly revised
and their partners too in many cases- see 'The C Case'.
explained on the save8.ie site.
and examined. Yet, to alter the constitution in the proposed
Sometimes, I feel that the value of the impact of abortion,
way doesn't solve this issue appropriately. Remember, the
for those who have undergone abortion is neglected too.
During the development of a foetus, the unborn heart starts
law currently states its' duty is to protect the unborn child
Research has proven that women who undergo abortion
beating around 35 days, and at the end of 8 weeks eyes,
and the mother- with specific guidelines of care in the 2013
suffer more trauma and depression than those who don't.
nose, lips, tongue, ears and teeth are forming, and by week
Act, Protection of Life During Pregnancy identifying how
I've heard very little on supporting women who have
12 the unborn child is fully developed (organs and all) and
to best care for the mother.
already travelled to England or for plans should the 'yes'
from then fourth develops strength and functioning of their
vote pass and legislation be created and finalised in Ireland,
organs. If the 8th amendment is removed, and politicians’
I have supported friends and family through unplanned
to support these women. It is traumatic and couples, or
current views are placed into practice, abortion may be
pregnancies; I know people- friends -that have made that
individual women also need dialogue, and a voice. It is time
requested by any expectant mother up to 12 weeks and
awful journey to England and I have cried with them for it.
women not only feel but are actually empowered and cared
thereafter. This is what is currently being discussed to go in
I am not lacking in empathy or heart ache. I support that
for.
to legislation should the public vote 'yes' and allow our laws
'this is my body, let me protect it'; but until it is no longer
to change. Again, you decide how you feel about that, and
my body alone. We are long overdue reform as a nation,
Pro-Choice people believe our government has inadequate
practice your vote on May 25th.
and together we must push for the best solution and a more
laws and provision of services and wish to pursue change,
inclusive, supportive society regarding the 8th Amendment.
but similarly, most Pro-Life people believe that services can
As our government has indicated, we will use the British
To remove the 8th Amendment removes all rights to the
be improved and introduced that will cater for our nation at
abortion system model should the 'yes' vote win Referendum.
unborn. Do you believe that the unborn has absolutely no
a much more comprehensive, sensitive and supportive level.
Irish women visiting the UK for abortions have fallen by
entitlement to any rights? I believe that the unborn should
As stated above, drops in figures of women going to the UK
50% since 2002, which is quite an incredible figure. This can
have rights, and I will use my voice for them, albeit in
for abortion were evident in the early 2000s when social
be counter argued that this is a result of the abortion pill
conversation or in this pro-life opinion piece. I recently read
care was improved in Ireland. It makes more sense to care
being introduced to the UK in 2001 making figures harder
an article about rape by former Dublin football player, John
for people more, to provide for them at the highest standard.
to track, but notably, these positive drops in numbers seeking
Leonard; if you haven't read it yet, take out your phone and
Bottom line, change is needed, but we must be careful to
abortions had shown decrease prior to 2001 and popularity
find it on his website soberpaddy.com. Let me inform you I
choose the right direction- the most caring direction.
in the abortion pill really only rose significantly in 2008/
have no misconceptions about rape - how wrong it is, how
2009. While the number of women making that journey is
traumatic it is, how reactions and understandings are all so
I know the words I have typed will bounce off some of you
still high, I believe we should be working on continuing to
varied. Current statistics say that 8 out of 10 Irish women
like bricks, I know some of you will also use these bricks to
reduce it by supporting women. Notably, 90% of Special
do not seek abortion after rape.
develop your opinions. As I stated, I cannot cover all ground
Needs unborn babies are aborted in Britain. I personally
in this one piece, I leave it with you now to inform yourself,
believe in diversity. I know it is within my life time that
My concern lies within the availability of abortion being
visit the repealeight.ie site and the save8.ie site. Don't be
Special Needs people have suffered major neglect by society
more open should the 'yes' vote pass, is how many unborn
complacent.
and state, but I have also seen such amazing growth in
will be aborted?
these areas in my adulthood and consider that we will only
Article: Rebecca Egan
move forward in supporting Special Needs individuals. By
Eliminated from their right to life? The rapist should be
removing the 8th Amendment, expectant parents will be
trialed, our society needs to keep pushing dialog and
free to end the life of an unborn special needs person- be it
growing in understanding around consent and stronger
a person with down syndrome, spina bifida, a heart murmur,
laws should be enforced. There have been many harrowing
and so on.
public cases of late and of course, every trial is different, and some are very extreme, and we as a people should have a system in which we can place our faith in.
In Her
Shoes In Her Shoes is a social media movement that has been set up to share stories of women affected by the 8th amendment. After speaking with members of the public on the streets, they realised that people don’t understand the various and complex reasons why women would seek to terminate a pregnancy. They wanted to offer the opportunity for undecided voters to ‘take a walk in her shoes’. Given the chance to look a person eye to eye, when we stop and take a moment to place ourselves in their shoes - we gain empathy and compassion for their lived experience. In Her Shoes wanted to take the opportunity to shed light into the lives of every day women in Ireland. Our sisters, colleagues, friends. Our school teachers, nurses, accountants.. Every parish around the country is home to a woman that has travelled for a termination, has sourced illegal abortion pills, has needed or wanted an abortion but was unable to access one, or has been pregnant under the 8th amendment - which restricts her right to bodily autonomy and consent. What wasn’t anticipated was the level of outpouring - the vital need for women that have been shamed and stigmatized, that have been living with a secret, to finally bring it to the light. Healing, and a weight lifted ‘I am not alone’ ‘I am not a criminal’ What has started as one way for undecided voters to meet the experience of 1 of the 12 women in Ireland that access termination services daily, has quickly evolved into being a platform for the voices of those that have been silenced in this country - the women that have continued to be terrorized throughout this campaign, the women that have to walk by graphic and gruesome billboards, the women that have been called horrible things by those that claim to ‘love both’. What has evolved is a greater understanding of the lives that the 8th amendment impacts, and just how it does - from pregnant women being threatened with Gardai, brought to the high courts. With women having their waters broken, or their genitals cut in birth without consent - to women pregnant with a baby with fatal foetal abnormalities, those pregnant due to rape, failed birth control, living in poverty, trying to escape domestic violence, or simply not ready to be a parent. Thank you, to the brave women of Ireland that have shared their lived experience. Much love to those that are unable to share theirs, we stand with you in solidarity. - Mná na hÉireann
”I was a 19 year old student nurse in an Irish Hospital
"I terminated my pregnancy at 25 weeks, last August
Yes, to make a terrible situation worse, my placenta
when I answered a toilet call bell during a day shift.
and it took me 11 years to make that decision. I was
came away and I started to haemorrhage. I lost 2.5l of
What I saw in there changed my life. A woman on
so grateful that I didn’t have to make the choice to end
blood and had to emergency surgery and a transfusion.
the toilet floor and her still birth baby in the toilet
my baby’s life when I lost my first little boy in 2006 to
The surgeon told me after that it was touch and go for
bowl. The woman was quietly crying and the hospital
Potter’s sequence.
my life as they couldn’t stop the bleeding initially.
bathroom tiles were covered in blood. The woman was
I had to spend longer away from home than planned
in hospital because she had been told weeks previous
It was my first, and very much wanted, pregnancy. As I
and hobble onto a plane 3 days after major surgery.
that her baby was going to die but nothing could be
was young, fit and healthy, I was considered low risk and
This ‘side effect’ could have happened to me at any time
done until the scans suggested no heart beat. She had
therefore had a dating scan at 12 weeks and no other
during the pregnancy and had I not been seconds from
come in to finally be induced. She shared a 3 bedded
scans for the rest of the pregnancy. I went into labour
an operating theatre I might not be here telling this
ward with 2 other pregnant healthy women. She went
and ended up having a Caesarean section as the baby
story. My life was at risk had I remained pregnant and
to the bathroom to use the toilet and it just came.
was in distress. I had no amniotic fluid and this would
the baby was suffering.
That happened in 2007 and under current laws could
have been picked up instantly at any scan after about 18
happen to any one of us today. The current options in
weeks, but unfortunately I wasn’t offered one.
Ireland are to wait the weeks out knowing that you
So, I’m home and I recovered well physically, I had to. But my heart was broken in two and my mental health
are carrying a dying foetus, or go to England to have
Our baby died after 12 hours hooked up to machines.
has not been the best. But I’m getting there, thanks to
a medical abortion (if you can afford the time off work,
The post mortem showed that he had no kidneys, small
an amazing husband, family and friends.
flights, accommodation, and procedure). In Ireland
lungs and heart, flattened facial features and bent feet
there is this culture, as long as it is not in sight then it
due to no room for movement in the absence of any
My problem is likely genetic and if my daughters, nieces
isn’t happening. As long as she is sent to an institution
fluid.
or siblings have to endure this fate, please let them do it
then she doesn't exist. As long as she's on a plane to England then it’s not our business.
with me holding their hands in their country of birth.” I grieved. I said I’m not having another baby. I was angry. But I recovered well and I have a beautiful
Making Irish women leave this country for healthcare
angel floating around who is always looking after me. I
is no different than driving them up the gates to a
learned a lot from that experience and I wouldn’t take it
"I suppose the last story you’d expect to hear on this
religious Institution. We need healthcare for pregnant
back. Little Jack came to me for as long as he was meant
page is from someone currently 29 weeks pregnant. But
women in this country. And we need it now.
to and he will always be in my heart.
here goes!
The woman in that toilet is one of many stories of
I now have three gorgeous and healthy girls (ages 9, 5
In my teenage years, I was diagnosed with a mental
neglect by us as a nation and hundreds have followed
and 3) and was pregnant with my 5th child last summer
illness. Since this time, I have learned to accept the fact
her. Stop pretending this repeal is black and white. This
when my world simply collapsed at the news that our
that the stats are against me and someday, whenever it
repeal is about giving an Irish woman a choice for the
baby had the same problems as Jack. Our anatomy scan
may be, I would choose to take my own life and die by
first time in her life. Stop putting your own morals/
at 22 weeks revealed that our baby had a fatal foetal
suicide. It then became clear to me that I would never
religious beliefs/ life experiences on us. That is your
abnormality and my decision to terminate was made
have children. Sure who in their right mind would want
business- not ours. Give us the dignity we deserve and
with no thought at all. No way was another one of my
to bring a child into a world where their mother has
the right to have our voice heard.
children going to suffer if I could do anything about it.
suicidal tendencies and a history, possibly future too, of
The abortion debate had begun in the media and it all
days where they simply can’t get out of the bed?
seemed like a horrible coincidence. We were now facing a trip to the UK. Plans were made with the help of our
Instead, I gathered all that motherly love that’s
incredibly supportive family and we terminated baby
instinctive to most girls growing up and I poured it into
Daniel at 25 weeks.
my nieces and nephews. They deserved it all. I worked damn hard to fight my bad tendencies and somehow
I did not know this at the time, but one of the side
found myself in a relatively healthy relationship. I kept
effects of this condition is placental abruption. I was
on top of my contraception. I wouldn’t let times of
not made aware of this until I received a report from
feeling good fool me. I wasn’t going to ever be a mother
the NHS explaining why my sudden emergency section
and that was that. Then, I was given new medication
had to happen.
off the doctor. I was not told that it would counteract my pill.
In November I found out I was pregnant. Whilst they
We need to stop the judging people in every area of their
She was a lady I would have paid any amount for that scan
debated in the Dáil whether or not to let this legislation
lives and instead help them. Help them make the correct
but she gave us our money back which I thought was nice.
go to a referendum, I was debating whether or not to go to
decision for their lives, not yours. Help them when their
England. I chose not to. That’s right, I chose to keep this life
mental health, physical health or financial health is failing
We then went to the rotunda hospital a few days later, I
inside of my belly so maybe that means I’m prolife? But it
to provide what their child or future child needs.
remember sitting in the waiting room, all the other woman
was still a choice, MY CHOICE.
there pregnant. I sat on the chair trying my best to hold I hope I have made the right decision in keeping my bump.
the tears in but I couldn’t. I couldn’t control myself, it was
As my pregnancy progressed, the hormones surging
I hope I can continue to fight my dark days and be the
all so upsetting “why me, why my baby” again got scanned
through my body proved to be too much to handle. I
best mother I can be. I hope I can raise him to completely
and told even more worst news about my poor little baby,
began self-harming for the first time in two years. I found
respect women and I hope it will be in a country where the
pushing the scanner on me so hard because I had no fluid. It
myself feeling more hopeless and suicidal once more and
choice is your own, if you are ready or not to be a parent.
was so hard for them to see the baby, my stomach was sore
asking myself had I made the wrong decision not to go to
Stop shaming women out of their country for a decision
for days after each scan. I asked was there even 1% chance
England?! And yet instead of helping me feel better, some
that they feel is the best. Life isn’t ever black and white.
and I was told 0% chance of survival. We were brought into
people I tried to talk to made me feel so ashamed and
Every moment is a choice. Repeal the eighth"
a tiny room then.
utterly guilty for even thinking of it. Which didn’t help the depression clearly already creeping in.
I thought they would tell me I would be started or they were going to give me a C section, never in my life did I think they
I asked myself if my family members that seem to be anti-
”In 2015 I was 21, and beaming with excitement that I was
would tell me I have to continue with the pregnancy until
abortion would think differently and wished I’d taken “the
pregnant with our first child, same time as my sister too.
he dies inside me or make it to full term, or go to Liverpool
easy way out”. If today, they realised the pregnancy was too
to get induced. I just remember standing up and feeling my
much for me and I said goodbye to them forever. Would
At a routine check-up at 23 weeks I was scanned to find out I
world turn upside down. How could this be happening to
they still be pro-life to someone they hadn’t met in replace
hardly had any amniotic fluid. We were told the devastating
me? I stood up and my body just went into shock I couldn’t
of their own sister/daughter/friend?
news that our baby had no kidneys, no bladder, very bad
believe what I was hearing, I started to get sick and while I
spine bifida, holes in his little heart and brain damage, but
was getting sick I started to wee myself. How embarrassing
A few months back I watched a mother send her child into
yet his heart was beating perfect. He didn’t know once he
it sounds, I just went into complete shock.
rob a shop. I didn’t know if she was high on drink, drugs or
was out of my womb that he had no chance of survival.
medication but she wasn’t quite all there. As I looked at her
If I continued with the pregnancy I would have to keep
a man said to me “some people should never be mothers”.
I felt sick, I felt numb, and I felt robbed. I just got up and
going to Dublin weekly for scans, just to see if his heart
And although I somewhat in a grey area agreed with his
ran out of the room. I ran outside, sat on a bench at the side
stopped beating, so I was just waiting for my baby to die.
comment, I couldn’t help but get angry at such blatant
of the hospital sobbing my heart out with loads of people
Everyone knew I was pregnant. I hated bumping into
judgement. Especially when he has also told me he is voting
walking by me. One man stopped, he never asked what’s
anybody, people asking when I am due, I got to the stage
no in the coming referendum. You can’t have it both ways.
wrong but just wrapped his arms around me and said “you
where I wouldn’t leave the house.
You can’t think she can’t get an abortion but also can’t have
will be ok pet” I just cried my eyes out, and he walked away.
a child. Do you think she should be a virgin her whole life?
I will never forget that man.
Maybe this lady, knew herself she was not stable enough,
We got the money together and decided we would go to Liverpool, I just couldn’t do it. I felt so depressed and sad, it
responsible enough to be a mother yet. Maybe she, like
The hospital was referring me to another hospital but they
was like I was grieving and my child wasn’t even dead yet.
me, had contraception fail her. Maybe something horrible
said it could take 2 or 3 days. I couldn’t wait that long, so
Everything was booked. We had to go back to the rotunda
happened her and this is her trying to cope with it, trying
I went straight onto the internet for a private scan and got
for my final scan in Ireland, they were hoping his heart
her best.
one that day. My partner’s sister brought us. On the way
would have stopped beating so I wouldn’t have to travel and
up I was praying, praying so hard to everyone in heaven,
have him at home, how horrible to be even told that, but
Maybe she knew she was not ready to responsibly rear a
to God, “please let them be wrong, it was a mistake, my
there he was his heart beating away not knowing what was
child but could not afford to get to England. Maybe if we
baby will be fine please” we got there and paid around €170
ahead.
repealed the eight we wouldn’t have so many “unfit mothers
for the scan. The woman was lovely, I think her name was
scrounging of the state” (a direct quote from a separate man
Monica, she scanned me and I could see straight away by
I was starting to have doubts, the midwife Jane was so, so
I know).
her face that it was bad news. She just told us what the
lovely, she told me if I did continue on more than likely his
hospital told us. She tried so hard to get me a picture of the
heart would stop beating, or I could give birth and his back
baby’s face on the 3D scan, left the room and came back in
was so bad it could break during birth, and his lungs would
with 2 envelopes one with the scan pictures, and the other
of been filled up with the fluid so it would be so hard for
with our money back, she said she couldn’t accept it.
him to breathe. I felt so sick, I wanted to see my baby open his eyes I would have loved to spend an hour with him, a minute, any time, but for his sake I couldn’t. I couldn’t put him through that.
I started to have awful bad nightmares at night and they
Repeal the 8th so women don’t have to travel, don’t have
were making me more scared to travel, I was absolutely
to bring their baby home on a boat in the middle of the
petrified. Just my partner and I travelled to Liverpool,
night in a boot of a car. I always feel so much was taken
our family wanted to come to support us, to be there,
away from me. I would have loved my other sisters and
but I was having none of it. I knew they couldn’t miss
my family to meet my son but they couldn’t, my home
work, but I was feeling so punished, punished for
country let me down, let my son down and took so
nobody being able to meet our little boy. It was such a
much away from us.”
horrible feeling felt so lonely and low and I was so so We were blessed to have an aunty living in Liverpool, I
"I wanted to share my story because very often I see
say she was like an angel, she and her husband helped us
people like me used as an excuse against repealing the
so much. I couldn’t imagine having to go over and stay
8th amendment.
in a hotel. We got a late flight out on Monday night, Tuesday morning we went to the women’s hospital for
I have struggled to get pregnant and struggled to stay
my final scan, this scan was to make sure 100% that he
pregnant.
was very sick and had no chance of life, and again we were giving even more bad news his brain was so badly
At 23 I decided to have fertility testing done as I knew
damaged, along with having no kidneys or bladder and
my cycles were erratic and it worried me. My fears were
everything else that was wrong with his tiny little body.
confirmed after a series of tests and I was advised that I
The lady that was scanning me went into detail with
probably wouldn't get pregnant without assistance.
everything, it was all so much to take in, how could all
I was referred then to a fertility specialist.
this be happening to my little boy? I was induced and
A week before my appointment I felt ill and my whole
stayed the night. I would never forget the pain I was in
body broke out in a rash. It was like I was having an
Wednesday morning, and then my Mam and dad and
allergic reaction.
sister walked into the room, and my partners Mam and sister walked in. It was so emotional, I couldn’t believe
After a few days my partner asked if I could be
they came over. My partner had it set up. They were
pregnant as I was still very nauseous. I shut him down
there in the room the whole time until he was born,
straightaway and sobbed because I knew my chances of
10 hours later my little boy was born still at 27 weeks.
conceiving naturally were slim to none. Still, his words
I carried him for 4 weeks known he was going to die
stayed with me and when I was out shopping I threw
and it was hell.
a test into the basket just in case. It came up positive instantly. I was in total disbelief. It was exactly what I
He was so beautiful, so perfect on the outside, but yet so
wanted but after having just been told I was unable to
damaged on the inside. The hospital treated us with so
ovulate I was afraid it was a mistake.
much respect and dignity, they were amazing at such a I booked a private scan because I couldn't date my pregnancy due to the erratic nature of my cycle. We left on Saturday and travelled home by boat. We were told his tiny white coffin had to be in the boot
I had my scan and there was no heartbeat. I was told it
of the car for the journey home, it was awful but I was
might be too early and to return in two weeks.
just thankful I could get my baby home. I wouldn’t have been able to leave without him. Leaving the hospital
During this time the rash became worse and I was very
with empty arms and an aching heart was bad enough.
ill. I went to the maternity hospital to see what was
We laid him to rest the next day, it was Mother’s Day,
going on. They scanned me and couldn't find a heartbeat
my first ever Mother’s Day and I buried my precious
either. They advised I return in 10 days. I couldn't take
son whom I would have taken my last breath so he
anything for the hives all over my body.
could take his first. Luke was 3 last week and I think about him every minute of the day.
going to end with a baby in my arms. It had happened too easily after all the anguish and torment of trying and trying and then getting bad news from the fertility tests. I returned 10 days later and the pregnancy sac had grown, I was suffering with nausea and the rash was
scared.
hard and sad time.
At this stage I was fairly certain the pregnancy wasn't
still present. Again I was advised to return in another 10 days. I was told that because there had been growth they couldn't diagnose a miscarriage ''just in case''. But I knew it wasn't right. They were the longest 10 days of my life. I returned on a Tuesday morning with my partner and was finally given the news I'd dreaded. There was still no heartbeat and the pregnancy hadn't grown since the last scan. We were devastated. To not only lose our longed for baby but to also face the harsh reality that there would be a battle ahead in order for us to have a baby. Since then I have lost two more pregnancies. I often see people pass remarks online about how they are against abortion because ''some women can't have children'' and this really hits a nerve. My struggle is not anybody else's load to carry. Just because I struggle to get and stay pregnant it shouldn't mean that anyone else should be forced into a pregnancy. I just want to shout out that it doesn't matter what another woman does with her body. It won't bring my babies back and it's not like they can transfer their pregnancy over to me. It doesn't work like that. We all have our own journey and I hate hearing stories like mine being used as an excuse to deny someone a choice over what happens to their own body. As it turned out I did have one successful pregnancy. It was filled with terror and scares, I very nearly lost her. It appears that I have issues with how the placenta functions. I am so lucky she is here with me now. Now instead of fertility testing I am undergoing recurrent miscarriage testing. It is hard. We don't know if we will ever have another child. It doesn't make a difference to us if every woman in Ireland gets pregnant and chooses to go through with their pregnancy. It still won't bring my three back and it won't mean I'll miraculously become pregnant again.
It won't heal the ache and longing I have to have a bump
The sac was still empty. I had been bleeding for days and in
Our second baby was to make our little family complete
and feel the kicks. A thousand babies could be born around
every fibre of my body, I understood my baby was gone. ‘We
and we were excitedly preparing for his or her arrival in
me right now but it won't fill the emptiness I feel myself.
are so sorry but you will have to come back again next week.’
September. Following a healthy pregnancy with our
I was in utter shock. I literally had no idea that I could be
daughter two years ago, and the comfort of an early scan,
Please stop using women like me as a reason to save the
denied treatment yet again. I cried, begged and pleaded.
there were no nerves that morning. The visit would provide
8th. Throughout the tests and the failed pregnancies I have
I offered to sign anything, to do anything for this to just
a better glimpse of our child and a photo for the memory
been hurt by the 8th amendment. It has a huge impact on
be over. All I wanted was to allow my body to let this
book.
how miscarriages are handled. It makes an already dreadful
pregnancy go. They explained that I had no option but to
experience a million times worse because we have no control
wait and come back the following week.
whatsoever over our healthcare choices, even in the case of a failing pregnancy and a failing heartbeat."
"Getting engaged and getting a cancer diagnosis in the
I am not religious and I am not actively involved in politics. I wholeheartedly respect an individual’s right to choice
At the third appointment, after the third scan, I was finally
and have been aware (and in support) of the Repeal the
given misoprostol and sent home to end my pregnancy. It
8th Amendment movement and upcoming referendum,
took five months for my HCG levels to drop back to zero
admittedly from a comfortable distance. Despite this, when
and I was bleeding each and every day.
the consultant dropped her eyes and told us that they would
same month was not in my plan. My lovely boyfriend and
not be able to help us should we decide to end the pregnancy,
I had been together since we were 19 and thankfully, he
That miscarriage led me to the darkest place I have ever
I was floored. I didn’t understand how I was going to put
was my rock throughout that horrendous year of fertility
been to in my life. Unlike my cancer journey where I craved
one foot in front of the other with the pain in my heart, let
treatment to create embryos in case the treatment took
love, support and company, I could not let anyone into this
alone make my way to the UK.
away my ability to get pregnant, chemotherapy, hair loss,
pain. Not my husband, not my mother. I was alone. I was so
radiotherapy and counselling. I was enveloped by the love of
ashamed of my body, so ashamed that I had somehow caused
The team did their best to remain compassionate but the
my family and friends and that wave somehow carried me
the loss of this life. The shame and fear that I would never
advice was cold and well-rehearsed and they sent us away
though. My wedding day was a celebration of love and life
have a child almost ate me alive. I isolated myself in horror
with phone numbers and a promise that they would resume
and triumphing over the terrible. I found out I was pregnant
and blackness. I grieved that baby so deeply, so intensely
physical and emotional care once we arrived home.
just two months later. The bright Spring day felt miraculous.
and that grief changed me as a person. The two weeks I had
I was moving on, the nightmare of what we had all gone
to wait for medical treatment was utter torture and torment.
As it was a bank holiday weekend, the Irish crisis
through was fading to a distant memory.
I will always carry the scars those two weeks inflicted on
organisations closed their doors for three long days following
me. If I had been able to access abortion medication earlier,
our baby’s diagnosis and we struggled to make contact with
I was six weeks pregnant when I started to bleed.
I might have been spared at least some of the pain and in
the UK. While the rest of the country celebrated what it
In a panic I rang the doctor. Immediately, I was booked in
particular the trauma of repeatedly having to go up the
means to be Irish, we were witnessing the very darkest side
for an appointment in the Aisling Suite in the CUMH. The
CUMH. The Eighth Amendment hurt me deeply but at
of our archaic legal system.
scan showed what I had already known, there was an empty
least I am alive to tell the tale. As we know, not all of its
sac. Empty. Our baby was gone. Everything came crashing
victims have been so lucky."
What followed was a living nightmare. Trying to come to
down as my body betrayed me yet again. At the end of the
terms with the fact that our little baby would never be while
corridor, I cried behind an almost transparent curtain and
reaching out to every resource, from Irish charities to UK
waited to find out what would happen next, fully expecting
"Just before St Patrick’s Day this year, during a routine
hospitals, was devastating, abnormal and so very lonely. For
that everything would be quickly taken care of. The nurses
booking visit at the Rotunda Hospital, my baby of
seven days, we tried and failed to arrange an appointment
explained that they would need to wait at least a week before
nearly thirteen weeks was diagnosed with a fatal foetal
with a suitable service. The only option available would be
they could do anything for me. They said that there had
abnormality. He or she would have absolutely no chance
two weeks from the original diagnosis - a lifetime away.
been some misdiagnoses and that they had to be 100% sure.
of survival and if carried to term, could only live for a few
Numbly, I agreed to wait the week.
hours, if not minutes. The confusion, shock and grief was
But that’s where we are, nine days later. I have made contact
utterly overwhelming.
with a number of wonderful women who have done and
Finally, after a week of sleepless nights, we duly arrived the
are still doing their utmost to help secure an appointment
next week. I kept my eyes down as we passed the pregnant
sooner but we may just have to wait.
women in their dressing gowns and new-born babies in carry-tots in the lobby of the CUMH as the scan was repeated.
I had been beginning to feel the baby move. We had
To add to it, the amount of the amniotic fluid appeared
with, I had to face a lot of strangers and act normal,
picked names and were reading books to our little girl
reduced. The scan operator advised that we make an
when all I wanted to do was to curl into a ball and weep.
about becoming a big sister. As someone very accurately
urgent appointment with a specialist at the hospital.
I also lost a lot of blood during and after the induced
put it, “you’re grieving the loss of the baby that could
She tried hard not to alarm us. She managed to fool
labour, I became anaemic, causing me to faint several
have been while grieving the loss of the baby that is.”
my husband, but she didn’t fool me. I spent the journey
times. Because of my condition, we couldn’t take our
home in floods of tears. This was just the beginning of
return flight, and we struggled with booking a new one.
the ocean that followed.
All flights to Dublin were fully booked until 2 days
My heart is broken for this tiny creature and I am so sorry that things are not different. I panic that each
later. Only thanks to the hospitality of the Liverpool
day the baby grows, the more awareness he or she may
Five days later we went for the appointment with
develop (despite the medical professionals’ assurances
the specialist, and my world collapsed. The specialist
otherwise) and the guilt of working so hard towards the
confirmed that my baby had only one stunted kidney
Almost 8 months passed since, and we’re pregnant
goal of the termination goes against all of my maternal
which didn’t work. My baby couldn’t produce urine,
again. I’m terrified of every single upcoming scan and
instincts. Even so, I know that this is the path we have
and because of that the amount of the amniotic fluid
I’m afraid to be happy. I also still wake up at night
to take.
reduced even further, leaving very little room for the
weeping for my little boy. I never regret termination;
little one to move. I was told this could lead to a stunted
I just regret that he couldn’t live. And this notion still
I want to be able to say goodbye to this little life, to
growth, malformation, and eventual miscarriage. More
breaks my heart. I wish that we didn’t have to travel
mourn the child that could have been and the child who
importantly however, my baby would not develop his
abroad to seek help in our darkest hour, and that our
is. I want to just be sad. I don’t want to spend my days
lungs, as the amniotic fluid is vital in their formation. My
little boy was buried in Ireland, close to home, where we
on the phone, worry about the logistics and the costs,
very first and very much wanted baby was to die trying to
could visit on a Sunday afternoon."
waiting for news on an appointment I so badly need but
take his first breath. We were 16 weeks and 5 days, and
would do anything not to keep.
our dream was over.
hospital we had somewhere to stay.
”I was 31 when I became a first time mammy, I was also There is no happy ending for our situation. We will
We were given information on our options, and were
31 when I lost my eyesight and learned the true nature
always live with this loss, although over time I hope that
assured that whatever we decide the hospital will help us
of the 8th amendment.
the pain will subside. There is, however, hope for the
through it. We decided to terminate through an induced
unfortunate women (and couples) who find themselves
labour, and we started the process of arranging things
I'm lucky that my shoes didn't walk me on that long
in our tragic circumstances in the coming months and
with the hospital in Liverpool. My husband made most
walk to another country, but my shoes walked the other
years. Hope that they will have their wishes met at home,
of the calls. I couldn’t face them. In fact, there was little
side of the 8th amendment. We were newly married and
that they can move forward fully supported by Irish law
I could face at that time; I was too consumed with grief
decided to start trying for a baby, we were really lucky
to mourn their loss without the complications and added
and sorrow.
to get pregnant straight away. Everything was perfect. I
trauma of a broken system."
have type one diabetes, a long term life altering illness I learned that I still harboured a glimmer of hope, when
that can cause extra issues in pregnancy, but everything
the foetal medicine specialist in Liverpool yet again
was perfect. That was until exactly 20 weeks pregnant,
"We treated ourselves to a scan at 12 weeks. We went
confirmed the diagnosis, crushing whatever hope was
when I went blind overnight. From a few dark shadows
to a private clinic, and were delighted to hear our baby’s
left, and yet again breaking my heart.
to total darkness.
was perfect: the heart, the brain, ten fingers and toes.
We decided to go ahead with the termination. My
My team of eye doctors had never seen a case like mine,
However, he wasn't fully cooperating, and was positioned
husband and I were crying together, and made all the
and they didn't know if they could save my sight. But
in such way that his kidneys could not be checked. The
decisions together throughout this process. He was my
they vowed to try, because this was a New Ireland with
scan operator advised us to return in 4 weeks’ time in
rock.
more help.
Our little boy was born at 18 weeks and 2 days gestation,
But one part of me getting the treatment was a need to
And so we did, full of hope and excitement, delighted we
and we were given time to say many goodbyes to him.
wait until after 24 weeks, when the pregnancy was past
will see our little bean again so soon. This time the baby
He couldn’t travel back with us. Due to my husband’s
viability and the risks of treatment crossing the placenta
was in a perfect position to observe the kidneys, or to be
religious beliefs, he had to be buried where he died. So
was 0.0001% so until then I had laser therapy in my
more precise, just the one malformed kidney.
part of us too remains in Liverpool.
eyes three days a week. After 24 weeks I travelled for
Overlooking the financial implications (which were
hours to get injections into my eyes, a new innovative
considerable), travelling to another country added
treatment that helped stop the damage and allow my
heavily to the emotional and physical strain. To start
eyes to recover.
heartbeat and see him move. All that was observed
order to complete the scan.
Some days I'd regain my eye sight enough to see about
We decided not to involve a solicitor yet, but I wrote a
Due to some health issues I have, I am automatically listed
20% of the world and other days I could only see light and
letter stating my refusal to allow them to take my baby, my
as a high risk pregnancy, so an early scan was arranged for
shadows.
husband wrote a letter stating his stance on them forcing
when I was 8 weeks to make sure everything was going ok.
me to choose between my eyesight and protecting the life of
We missed the 8 week date due to the storm, but went in
I thought all my medical team was behind me, I expected
my baby. We gathered documents and medical publications
early the following week for a scan where I was told the
that my eyesight was a top priority, so I could see my child
on the treatment I was receiving and we tried to get my eye
baby had not developed as they had hoped and I need a
and hopefully regain my eyesight, but at 29 weeks I learned
doctors to write letters, but they felt that under current laws
second scan to confirm more.
the true face of the 8th in a continuing pregnancy. I went to
they couldn't put their names to a legal battle.
see a doctor at my hospital, who told me I was most likely
When I went to my second scan I was told that I was
going to have my baby at 32 weeks because we don't know
So myself and my husband attended the next appointment
having what is known as a delayed miscarriage. What this
what effects your treatment could have on this baby. I sat
armed with out letters and ready to fight. My doctor barely
means is that the baby (hospital refers to it at this stage
in stunned silence while I was told that the ethics board
batted an eyelid. She said that she would wait and see how
as a foetal pole) had stopped growing at 5 weeks, however
of the hospital was unsure about 'allowing' me to continue
things progressed, but that's final decision was hers. That
my body hadn’t realised this and was assuming I was still
the pregnancy while continuing treatment. I asked if I
from that appointment forward I should bring a bag in case
pregnant even though the baby was not developing. They
could meet the ethics board and show them the studies I
it was decided that I would be having a c-section.
suggested I would have to go to a consultant and get a
was shown to prove how minimal the risks were. I also had
D&C as there was a high risk of infection because my body
contact details for doctors in the USA who had been kind
My eye sight began to return temporarily at 34 weeks and
had not removed the baby/gestational sac from my uterus
enough to speak to me over the phone about what treatment
my son was born at 38 weeks. I lost my eyesight again a
and I also had a sub haematoma tear & bruising where my
was available and how it had worked for others. But I was
few weeks after the birth, but my experience was totally
body has been trying, so they need to help my body remove
told no. Go home and pack a bag. The doctor told me to
different that time. It took me two more years to fully regain
what’s left.
attend the hospital the next week for steroid injections to
my eyesight. The doctor I dealt with has left my hospital
develop my baby’s lungs for early delivery.
now and I'm so grateful I won't have to face her again.
When they went to conduct the transvaginal scan to check out everything, before the next step it turns out the baby
I left the doctor's office in a silent haze. I was due to
The eighth amendment has left me with horrible memories
(foetal pole) still has a very small heartbeat (4-8bpm as
have laser the same day but when I got to the eye clinic I
of what was already a difficult time, but a time that I was
opposed to 130-150 bpm).
crumbled on the floor in floods of tears, a nurse cared for
finding ways to enjoy the experience of pregnancy, and
me that day, she hugged me and she gave me strength to
trying to separate my blindness and pregnancy.
make decisions. I had to skip an essential laser treatment
They couldn’t help me any further due to the 8th amendment, or to put it in their words, there’s not a doctor in the country
that day as my eyes where too swollen to handle the laser,
I've always been pro-choice, but I live in that bubble of
and the next day when I headed to Dublin for injections, my
believing it wouldn't happen to me, and I'm so lucky that I've
specialist had to contact my clinic back home to make sure
only been a bystander, the shoulder to cry on and person to
So where did this leave me….
that there wouldn't be an issue with the ethics board taking
get angry when friends have made that journey. But I didn't
It means physically, I was still experiencing all my early
this further. My husband was my eyes, he and my family
know until I lived it that the eighth amendment means I
pregnancy symptoms:
worked hard to read up on the eighth and where my rights
have no rights to my own body in this country. I would love
Nausea
stood. It was scary to realise that my eye sight was not seen
to have another child, but I have a deep rooted fear of what
Fatigue
as important and they were willing to risk my child's life by
could happen next. If I lose my eye sight permanently and
Headaches
giving me a c-section at 32 weeks.
I have to consider other options. Or just having another
Dizziness
doctor tell me that how and when I have my child is their
Plus all the symptoms of a miscarriage:
decision.
Severe abdominal cramping
And then my baby would have to travel miles from home to
who will touch you at the moment.
be cared for as my hospital didn't have the facilities to care
Shooting pain down my leg
for a premature baby.
High risk of infection in the womb "This is my life right now!!
I got the steroids as I was scared of what I faced at my next
I found out early February this year that I was pregnant. My
Lastly, the emotional pain, they told me this pregnancy was
appointment, I spent a night in hospital getting the steroids
husband and I were overjoyed as we had been trying for a
now considered a miscarriage on their books and yet they
and I spoke to a midwife about what I faced, she told me
significant period of time and we couldn’t wait to become
couldn’t help me.
to get a solicitor as the hospital had the legal rights to force
parents.
me to have the baby early under the rights of the unborn.
I am HEARTBROKEN that I have lost my 1st baby,
down my jeans. I remembered crying, asking him to
a child that was wanted and already loved, and can't
stop because he was hurting me. I remembered him
stop crying, yet I’m also terrified that I am going to end
"This is my story, I have never spoken to anyone about.
laughing and pushing harder.
up with a severe infection due to the lack of treatment
This is for those who say the 8th has no place being
I didn’t think of pregnancy until Tuesday. Five days later
and potentially damage to my womb/risk of no further
repealed, even due to rape because it’s not the baby's
when I left my apartment.
pregnancies. I have to go back in 10 days and they will
fault, or to just take the morning after pill because it's
redo the scan, then if the heartbeat has not stopped
what you would do in that situation. It is very easy to
By then it was too late for emergency contraception,
another 10 days and so on, they have no idea how long
hypothesize your reaction to a scenario that has not yet
I spent the following 2 1/2 weeks abusing myself
it could take. It is ridiculous to me that I can be left in a
and hopefully will never happen to you.
hoping there would not be a pregnancy as a result of
half way state, a purgatory while they wait for the baby
that monster. I visited every shop and chemist and
in me to just die. Unable to begin to heal emotionally
I was at my friend’s apartment, there was 11 of us having
bought in bulk any type of painkiller I could, along with
and physically because of a rule that states the foetus
a few drinks getting ready for our night out. Two new
prescription painkillers and steroids that had previously
has equal rights to me.
lads joined us that night. I had never met them before
been prescribed for an ongoing medical issue. They were
but a few of my friends knew them. I hadn't passed
my back up, because I couldn’t go to England and had
If my baby was a person on life support with no hope of
much notice of them, we all sat around playing 'truth or
no knowledge of abortion pills being available online.
recovering and going to die no matter what you would
dare'. It was my turn, I chose truth. One of my friends
If I was pregnant I would use those pills to kill myself.
have the option to turn off the life support. I should
asked me when I last had sex. I wasn't ashamed or
have the same option as I am the vessel of life support.
anything so just said "never, still a virgin". Most didn't
I starved myself. I stood under searing hot showers until
seem to care and if they did, I didn't notice. But one
I had blisters all over my stomach and legs. I punched
I understand that all the Pro-Life groups say for a
reaction caught my attention. One of the new boys. He
and hit myself in my stomach so hard and so often I was
women like me, where there is risk to the mother’s
stared at me even when I caught him staring he didn't
bruised, swollen and the blisters burst. I skipped college
life and the baby will miscarry anyway, they would
look away. After a few minutes he got up and walked
and walked/ran kilometre after kilometre during the
understand and feel I should be provided treatment, yet
across the kitchen with his chair and sat next to me. He
day. I fainted and fell down my stairs after 2 weeks of
they think we should keep the 8th amendment. What
hadn't spoken or acknowledged me all night and now
hurting my body. I was glad. I couldn’t bring myself to
part of them doesn’t understand that as my reproductive
he wouldn't leave me alone. He kept putting his hand
buy a test. If I bought one and it was positive that’s it,
rights are tied into the 8th amendment women like me
on my knee and trying to run it up my thigh. I asked
my life is over. Truthfully I was too scared to take one.
will NEVER receive support!
him to stop and he just stared. I felt embarrassed, like I
I am and ALWAYS will be denied medical assistance
was overreacting but I couldn't help how uncomfortable
I woke on Monday morning at 5:35am with the worst
he made me feel.
cramps I had ever had and cried hysterically for hours,
as long as the 8th amendment is in effect, as it is
I had gotten my period and my sheets were ruined with
a constitutional agreement, so there is nothing a
Eventually it was time to go to the nightclub. He was
blood. At 8:40 after my housemates had left for college,
government can do to assist me or anyone like me in the
driving some in his car so I got a taxi with a few others.
I got up, had a shower, changed my pjs and my bed
future unless it is repealed, no other laws can be brought
Having had my usual few drinks, I was tipsy but aware.
sheets and got back into bed and slept for the first time
in to change this, so when you choose to vote no, this is
He insisted on buying me a drink, I didn't want one
in almost a month, slept for 14hours straight because I
what you are denying your sister/mother/friend.
so politely refused. It wasn’t enough, he told me I was
knew I wasn't pregnant.
rude and hurt his feelings, everyone was looking, I felt I have always said abortion was not for me, but if
embarrassed so said ok. He gave me the drink and I
Some women continue with a pregnancy as a result of
someone else wants one, then that is their business, just
began drinking it. I don’t remember finishing it.
rape and find great strength and healing in it. For me
like who anyone marries/loves is none of my business.
I would rather die. It was never going to be a baby to
I personally love kids and want a bunch of them, that’s
I woke the next morning torn, in pain, bloodied and
me, but a constant reminder, as it grew day by day like
my choice and my opinion and that’s right for me. I
sick. I couldn’t move, I nearly wet the bed as I struggled
a time bomb, of a night that has broken me in so many
have no right to stand in the way of anyone else’s choice,
to get to the toilet. It was painful to pee.
ways. I have nephews and nieces that I adore and love
as they know what is right for them. Yet here I am in
and would do anything for, but it was not the same for
a situation where I need medical intervention and have
After vomiting the day and night I started getting
no choice, oh the irony.
flashbacks. I remembered him linking me to the car. I remembered him pushing me into the back of his car.
I am so angry right now that my country can do this to me…..What if I can never have kids after this…"
I remembered him forcing himself on me and pushing
my potential pregnancy.
It was 9 years on the 19th of March since it happened
I looked at him and said yes people are entitled to
and I still struggle. Every year as the date gets nearer I
relationships, to sexual relationships if they can consent, I'm
am immediately brought back to that time, clear as day I
“I've gone to write this so many times and honestly just
not trying to sterilize her or hurt her in anyway. Because
remember, I feel, I cry and I shut myself away from everyone
can't get my head around this.
she is so violent she is a risk to herself, to her teachers, her
and put a smile on my face during the day so I can get
school place may be in jeopardy, she will kill me as she has
through work.
I'm a mother to a little girl with severe special needs; she is
I physically, emotionally and mentally could not have faced
non-verbal, has a rare genetic disease, brain damage, and has
the possibility of having his spawn grow inside me for 9
a severe learning disability and huge global developmental
She will never live independently, never have a romantic
months. Because for me that’s what it was, it was his, not
delay.
relationship, she is a 2 year old in an 11 year old body. She
mine.
no idea of her strength.
has no concept of what's happening her body. She can't She is 12 but like a 2 year old. She needs 24 hour care and
tell me if she is in pain. If she had her period, her hands
I have read and listened to people call women murderers,
full assistance with all aspects of daily care. Due to the onset
would still be in her pants, where is the dignity in that?
sluts who should have kept their legs closed and so now
of puberty she has become extremely aggressive and violent.
What if I'm not quick enough to stop it? It's cruel to put
have to live with their mistake.
She has no understanding what is happening to her little
her through this while she is so unbalanced.
body, she never will. I have done books, pictures, stories and I ask you to remember there are women who can see what
she plays with the book or tries eat it like a baby.
you say, who won’t press charges because of these "opinions".
Again he said under the 8th amendment every woman has the right to reproduce. I said she can't ever consent. Ever.
Women who have had abortions not because they wanted
I've been trialling her with panty liners to get her used to
So then he said that he could suggest putting a mirena coil
them but because they needed them. Needed them because
them, she takes them out and hands them to me. If she has
in a 12 year old, which will have to be done under a general
of so many reasons that are personal, difficult and important
a little itch or tickle in her privates, her hands are in her
anaesthetic. I said no, she can't tell me if it's uncomfortable
to them. Remember them as you type your "opinions" about
pants or the pants are down regardless of where we are or
if she is in pain, let alone the risk of anaesthetic. Because
what you would do in hypothetical scenarios. Remember
who is in the house as she has no comprehension of what is
of family history, hormones are not suitable like the pill or
your words can cut like knives. They are hurtful and soul
appropriate and what isn't.
injection or implant and they could make her worse. I said
destroying to living, breathing, sentient human beings, who
it is cruel to make her go through this, to suggest a coil, how
have families, friends, and emotions, conscious thought, a
This is not laziness on my part. I gave up my job to care for
is that ethical and an injection for a few months to delay
fully functioning and developed nervous system that means
her 24/7 no help. She is up day and night and her aggression
the start of her period not?? His answer was to move to the
they FEEL pain.
is mainly directed at me, thank goodness. As therapists say
states where there is a programme? I said surely we are not
Think if it were your mother, sister, daughter who had an
I'm her safe place. The aggression can be so bad even with
the first family to present with this problem and he said the
abortion or who had been raped would you repeat these
meds that my face, chest and arms are black and blue. My
ethics board of this hospital won't delay puberty unless it's a
"opinions" to her.
teeth have been broken, split lips, she even tried to push me
gender identity crisis. Every girl has the right to reproduce.
down the stairs. I was 'lucky' I didn't need an abortion after I was raped.
I will always fight for the rights of the special needs
I was either never pregnant or the abuse I put my body
I met with her teachers, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse
community in Ireland, we receive no help from the HSE
through caused a miscarriage, I will never know. But what I
and GP and as she is so volatile due to the onset of puberty
- there is just none available. I'm lucky I can care for her.
do know is that the most traumatic thing I have ever been
it was felt that maybe we could delay the start of it until
I firmly believe everyone has the right to relationships if
through was made so much worse by being made to feel like
the aggression was better managed and she turns 12 when
they can consent, to jobs, to education. I will always fight
I was the criminal, like I had done wrong, because we live
she may have access to better medications to help. We were
for rights. But my daughter will never have that, she will
in a society where "boys will be boys" and where I would
referred to a doctor in Dublin. That day I was, as usual,
always need 24/7 care, never be Independent, never have a
have to prove I didn’t want to be torn, bruised and violated.
black and blue; she was extremely agitated because she
romantic relationship. She will always have the mind of a 2
It was made more traumatic because I didn't have support
wasn't in her usual environment so was lashing out of me. I
year old. But under our current laws as long as she has the
and counselling to safe, legal and free access to healthcare
gave the doctor the letters from all the doctors who assessed
right to reproduce that's all that matters.
in my country".
her, all the recommendations, pictures of my injuries. He said to me "if your daughter walked in here and told me
I live with the very real fear that she will kill me or
that she wanted to be a boy due to gender identity crisis
seriously hurt me because she has and never will have the
they could delay puberty but due to disability laws and the
understanding of what is happening to her body. This isn't
8th amendment that she has a right to reproduce.”
just about abortion. It's about protecting women and their rights.”
Catholic and voting Yes!
For me, pro-life was some vague idea in the background.
I started to research and look into all the different cases
The realities of which were a world away from me.
that have taken place here in Ireland. Each known by
Abortion was never something I would consider for
a letter. The woman’s privacy respected but her wishes
myself and so it wasn’t something I needed to give a
denied. Details of their individual cases made public
lot of thought to. I am ashamed of the way I thought.
knowledge. The lengths this country would and will go
The disregard that I had for other women in their time
to to ensure a woman remains pregnant. Rape survivors
of crisis. I couldn’t and wouldn’t see beyond a baby, an
who have already been cruelly violated have their voices
innocent life.
once more left unheard. People with the tragic news of a fatal fetal abnormality, forced to carry to term or travel
A pro-choice Catholic might seem like an oxymoron to
It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my third and last
if they can afford it. And the cases that never make the
some or a rarity to others, but we are here and we are
child in 2016 that my thought process began to change.
headlines. The women who take tablets alone, without
numerous. For many of us it has been a journey to come
There was much talk about the eighth amendment. Not
medical supervision and with the fear of a fourteen year
to be pro-choice. We were raised with mass on Sundays
only how it effects a person’s rights to an abortion but
prison sentence hanging over them.
and religion class throughout all our schooling. We had
how it affects all pregnant people in Ireland and their
those little feet pins on our jackets going to school and
ability to consent. I joined an online support group
We have doctors telling us repeatedly that the eight
were told plenty about why abortion was a sin, so much
for people who suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum
amendment makes their jobs impossible.
was said about “babies” and innocence. That Jesus was a
(excessive morning sickness). One woman’s experience
We have lawyers telling us it is a law that is not fit for
kind and compassionate man who valued all people. I
in the states really brought the realities of the eight
purpose.
can't remember hearing anything about the person who
home for me.
was pregnant and what they were facing.
How is any of that Christian? Where is the compassion No medications were working for her, she was starving
that I was taught Jesus showed to all people? He valued
and her organs were starting to fail. This was for her
the poor amongst all and here we are with a law the
a much-wanted pregnancy and she was faced with
makes the poor suffer. They are the people who cannot
a decision that no one ever wants to make. Continue
afford the choice of travel.
her pregnancy and possibly die as a result or terminate her pregnancy. I realised that I wouldn’t ever be given
Catholics for Choice, an organisation based in
this choice here in Ireland, at least not until I was near
America, tells us that the church officially teaches
enough to death that the decision was taken out of
that the conscience of the individual is supreme. We
my hands. I would be leaving my two beautiful girls
as Catholics can apply conscience to decisions about
without a mother, my husband without a wife, my
abortion. This means that if a woman feels that it would
parents without a daughter. All because my life is seen
be morally wrong to bring a baby into this world, for
as equal to that of the unborn in the constitution.
whatever reason, then following her conscience is the right thing to do. Article by: MaryAnne Tresoldi
THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
Limerick Together for Yes - Chairperson Yvie Murphy
- Deputy Chair Jennifer Schweppe
There is just a matter of weeks to go before this referendum,
Since its launch only a few short weeks ago, the
Our country is being asked, for the first time in 35 years, to
if we don’t get a YES majority it could years before we
national civil society campaign set up to remove the 8th
reflect in our Constitution what is happening every single
get another chance. This needs to pass, for the sake of the
Amendment from the Constitution has made its presence
day in our country. In Limerick Together for Yes, we would
women in your life, for the sake of all of the people in this
felt all over the country, with posters, leaflets, stickers and
like to ensure that the stories of Savita, Miss X, and all the
country who can get pregnant, for the sake of the people
badges having been distributed to all corners of Ireland.
other women whose stories should have been a private issue
in this country who cannot afford to travel, for the sake of
The campaign didn’t spring up overnight, however, and its
discussed with their doctor, become part of our history. We
people buying pills over the internet and taking them while
three partner organisations, the Coalition to Repeal the
hope that you agree and will vote yes on May 25th.
home alone, scared and without medical supervision, for
8th Amendment, the Abortion Rights Campaign, and the
the sake of the doctors, nurses and midwives whose hands
National Women’s Council of Ireland, have been working
are tied by the 8th Amendment and are not allowed or
tirelessly for years to allow pregnant people access abortion
afraid to give certain care to their pregnant and birthing
care safely in their own country.
patients, for the sake of future generations. On May 25th please vote YES.
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
I n t e rv i e w Business Spotlight on Dennis Mc Gettigan As I drove along Sheikh Zayed Road to The Bonnington Hotel, JLT, Dubai. I reflect on the first time I met Dennis Mc Gettigan and what a charismatic character he bore. The warm, welcoming and friendly energy you get when you walk into a Mc Gettigan's establishment was certainly no front- it ran through to the core. Everybody in the office gave me a warm welcome and parted from their hectic jobs to make me feel at home. Running a tight schedule, as captain of the ship, Dennis was prompt to our arranged time and we sat to chat right away! Now a household name, tell us where the McGettigan's franchise journey began? It all began with my father ( Jim) in Dublin, back in 1964. He opened a bar on Queen Street and called it Mc Gettigan's; Dad was the eldest of nine children and left school at 14 to earn money to help support his family; first he worked in a local pub and then on board the Queen Elizabeth 1. After working and saving for eight years on the QE1 and meeting his wife-to-be in Southampton, he returned to Ireland and bought a property on Queen Street in Dublin, calling it Mc Gettigan's- that's where it all really began. In 1969 he bought a pub called Dan Lowrys, that was going into liquidation and named it The Baggot Inn, (the name we use for our first bar here in Dubai too), and it hosted acts like Tracey Chapman, U2, David Bowie, Christy Moore, Thin Lizzy, Mary Coughlan and The Water-boys. From there he went in to the hotel business, buying his first hotel in 1978 called the Sheehy Hotel in Raheny, he went on to have six hotels in Ireland and then his first property in London, The Bonnington Hotel. That's where the story really started in coming this way I guess, as a piece of sand came up for sale in 2004, and that was that!
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You certainly have kept the traditions of your father running with some great music at the venues across Dubai; I've seen countless live performances here in Dubai venues from the likes of The Coronas, S Club 7, Kodaline... well, lots of acts, and Limerick's own Hermitage Green not so long ago too! Do you see this as a key attraction in your business to entice customers? Of course it is yeah, but we have always wanted to have somewhere accessible, especially over here in Dubai, when the sand patch was bought in 2004 and The Bonnington Hotel, Dubai was opened in February 2009. I knew no more about the middle east than... well I knew nothing, but I promised my parents I'd come out for three days, and I did, and nine years later I am still here! I saw all the amazing attractions here, the five-star bars which were in a market designed for a specific type of person, and then I saw some really bad, bad bars. So, for me, I wanted a bar that I wanted to go to. How did you build on that thought? I came up with the concept of Mc Gettigan's, and I thought of my Dad's first Mc Gettigan's in Dublin which is very much an inner-city pub, and this was a very different concept, it had a modern twist. I didn't want to fall into the stereotypical Irish bar. I wanted entertainment at the best level, sports, food, drinks- I wanted it all at the best level, I wanted the service right. I would equate Mc Gettigan's to a very good four-star bar. It's not the five-star champagne and cocktails that rob people. It's a concept I came up with to basically support the hotel because there is no way the hotel could have progressed or dealt with its' own debt if I didn't come up with the bar. It was a pressure situation. That's where it started and ended for me at the time, I didn't have a further vision at the time to expand as we now have. You had a good immediate reaction so? We did, the CEO of African and Eastern (DIAGEO of the UAE) asked to meet me after four months or so after opening. It was like an interview, and an hour into the chat I asked, what exactly are you looking for?
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
They invited us to open a bar near the airport and if I would be interested in opening up a franchise. Of course my first thing was, 'how much will it cost me?'- nothing, it's a franchise! So, we went with it and it was completely 'learnas-you-go', but it got me thinking. I spoke to our executive head chef, Derek, and I said if we can take in X amount of money on a daily basis, we will be elected. The first year had an intake that was double our projections. It was crazy! Then I sought and found a second owner-operated venue and we got DWTC (Dubai World Trade Centre). It snowballed from there. We got the venue in Donegal then, and I wondered how the image would translate back to Ireland but after much deliberation, we stuck with it, shamrock and all! Donegal was received very well, then we opened in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi venue won the Irish Pubs Global Awards in 2017 for 'Best Irish Community Pub in the World'! You must be very proud of the journey you have taken. It's an honour to receive these awards, we were lucky to have won five big awards in total, and we are most proud of my
We have a new venue of the same concept as Warehouse
It's not easy here, Sunday to Thursday is 100 miles an hour.
father for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award, and
in Letterkenny opening on The Palm, Dubai soon, but we
I try to get to bed early, and up to work early. You try to
of course for the pub below us here in JLT, to have won
will call it Factory over here. They have that bare, industrial
get home, have dinner, hang with the kids and get have
Irish Pub of The Year, it really was great. We did certainly
feel to them.
some TV time, then get to bed. At the weekends, I do the
snowball as a brand- not in a bad way, but now, it's probably
complete opposite of that, I'm out enjoying myself but I'm
once every two weeks we are approached and asked 'would
How do you juggle yourself between locations and
trying to change that because the extreme to extreme a)
you consider putting Mc Gettigan's here', or there and so
balance the workload?
isn't good for you and b) I don't think you give yourself
on. All of this is a huge compliment to the brand name, but
It's extremely tiresome, I'll tell you that. I'm looking forward
the chance to think about things properly, you know? And,
you have to be careful that we a) don't bastardise or b) over
to a good two-week holiday now. I try and base myself in
yeah... Try and go to other places than Mc Gettigan's too!
saturate the market.
Dubai because the bulk of our owner operated businesses
Or I've been told to do that anyway! It's hard, you're trying
are here, and apart from New York, everything is within
to give time to family here, family in Ireland, your team-
It sounds like you have more tricks up your sleeve though,
seven hours from here. This is where I need to be; my family
there is just a lot. You've got to give 100% and get everybody
what are your next plans regarding new properties?
and main senior team are here, but I also try and take June,
excited with you, in the hope you hatch an egg, but I know
Well at the moment we have 19 bars- since 2010, and
July and August to get involved in the businesses we have
it's important, no matter how hard it is, to switch off.
another 6 to open up in the next six to eight months;
at home.
Bahrain, Philadelphia, Ajman, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and The Palm, Dubai.
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
Would you expand at home? We bought five hotels in Ireland in the last four or five years, in doing that, we put a Mc Gettigan's or Warehouse in each and unless we want to get in to further acquisitions, which I think Ireland is getting a tiny bit over priced now, so unless I want to do that, I don't see us getting involved in further bars at home right now. There is a huge amount of competition as well, and there are some fabulous operators who have cornered a lot of the market- Alan Clancy has done a phenomenal job, McKillen Jnr has opened a number of great places too. My attitude is, when an opportunity comes your way, if it looks good and makes sense, then of course we will jump all over it! What is the biggest challenge you had along the way and how you tackled it? Oooh! A tough question... yes! The biggest challenge for me was probably trying to open New York. If I didn't die of a
I have no idea what he did, but he went out of the room,
massive heart attack... We had a similar situation opening
returning about thirty minutes later and he said 'Okay, look,
in Abu Dhabi in 2015, but certainly opening New York in
we're gonna do this. I'll sign off, no problem'! I don’t know
2014 tops it all. I moved over for three weeks and learned
who or what he spoke to but I signed the dotted line and
how bureaucratic New York is. You have to have a certificate
the next day I sent a fella to get the alcohol license, the gas
for every wire, for all your plumbing, your joinery; absolutely
went on at 4 o'clock opening day- Derek (the head chef )
everything- there is about 16 certificates which themselves
was going mad about the food and worry and all. He asked
require a completion certificate. Then you need to show
'Here, are we gonna be okay today' and I had to play Mr.
proof of the completion certificate to the fire people, the
Cool and I said 'Of course we will be!' But in my mind...
food people, the gas people, the electricity people... and
I was going absolutely bonkers! It was by the skin of our
you have to get all these people to click together to get the
teeth, but we got there and had a great night!
venue ready. I remember that two days before opening I had four of the sixteen and I'd spent a couple of hundred
I guess you learn as you go though...
thousand dollars on the opening event- flying people here
Absolutely, I'm very careful and realistic about my timelines
from Ireland and Dubai, we had The Coronas joining too
now and I try to avoid putting myself under pressure.
and it was going to be a great event. What about your Limerick premises, how do you find the Oh no! What did you do?
Limerick market?
I went to meet the commissioner of building authority.
Ah look, we're very lucky. In Limerick, we sponsored
It's in a nice part of the city and the people, like elsewhere
I couldn't do anything without his piece of paper, and I
Thomand Park for a number of years in a row, we have
in Ireland have been very supportive of us, so we're very
prayed to my uncle who had just died and said please, help
wonderful loyal customers but I do think it is a tough market.
grateful and appreciative of that. As I mentioned, our brand
me out here! I sat with him and said, 'Look, I know we're
I must say, the people of Limerick have been exceptionally
intends to provide sport, music, food, drink and service at
nobody in this town, we're small fish, but I need to open
supportive of us, especially as an outside company. The bar
the very best level and we deliver that globally- Limerick
in two days time' there was lots of to-ing and fro-ing, with
is tipping away nicely and we did a lot of changes with the
included; our customers deserve that.
an initial reaction from him not looking good. He gave the
venue when we took over, and they were done very well.
alternative of opening the building but letting somebody
Article by: Rebecca Egan
else run the bar, as an outside catering company, and I just said, 'Sir, that is not an option'.
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
Building Brands THE SECRET TO BRANDING SUCCESS
What is a brand?
Why is your brand different?
What’s the opportunity for your business?
The concept of a brand was first used more than a century
One of the biggest brand challenges for businesses is
Ultimately your brand is how customers recognise and
ago by US cattle ranchers. A branding iron was used to mark
having clarity on their brand. Are you absolutely clear on
experience your business. Etihad Airways is a super
which animals they owned as they transported the animals
the purpose of your brand? Why is your business different?
example of a visual language grounded in what’s different
across the US. A brand mark shows that a product or service
Why should a customer choose your product or service
and unique about this airline. The opportunity for your
comes from a specific source. It’s something entirely unique
rather than one from your competitors? Can your employees
business is creating a clearly differentiated brand that
to your company.
succinctly communicate this when they are speaking to a
engages and motivates customers to buy your product or
customer? Does your messaging clearly communicate what
services. The impact and opportunity for you – is business
In the late 20th century, the concept of branding and its
makes you different across every touchpoint with your
growth and customer loyalty. Etihad achieved 17% year-
value evolved. Advertising tycoon David Ogilvy famously
customers?
on-year growth following it’s rebrand. On average customer
described a brand as ‘the intangible sum of a product’s
experience focused organisations grow 14% faster than
attributes’. What your customers think about your product
those organisations who are less customer-centric.
or services is critical. Your brand exists only in their mind. What they think about it, will be key to your success.
50
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Fri 25th - Sun 27th
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THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
T r av e l
Ever want to get out of Limerick City without having to put
Shopping
Pubs and Restaurants
much thought into the trip, some of our surrounding towns
Newcastle West offers a large range of stores to choose from.
A good place for a bit to eat and a pint is Cronins bar
are full of shops, restaurants and activities to make a perfect
Fashion retailers include highly respected Ela Maria is one
in the middle of the town. It has a great warm and
day trip. Take Newcastle West for example. Newcastle West
of the longest luxury boutiques in Ireland. Based in The
traditional atmosphere. They also have the very best in live
is the largest town in Limerick containing historical sites,
Square House in Newcastle West, Ela Maria stocks over
entertainment and top DJ’s every weekend along with a late
great shopping and delicious food. With only a population
80 designer labels on 3 floors. The Well-known Limerick
bar. For a finer dining feel, No8 The Square is your place to
of just under 7,000 people Newcastle West is becoming
retailer Noels Newcastle West which has been trading well
go. The restaurant setting is truly amazing with Georgian
a must see town for tourists with the number of visitors
since 2005 offers a unique style of branded merchandise
architecture making it feel more historic. The menu on offer
multiplying year after year.
for every age and any event. The store stocks an array of
is simply delicious, No8 takes great pride in sourcing local
high street casual brands including BARBOUR, GANT,
fresh ingredients plus its homemade relishes and pesto’s are
Historic Attractions
LACOSTE, RALPH LAUREN, REMUS UOMO,
to die for!
Newcastle West’s main landmark dominates the end of the
TOMMY HILFIGER.
Main Town Square. The banqueting hall of the Desmond
Outdoor Activities
Castle, seat of the Earl of Desmond, parts of which date
If you’re looking for homeware however, Objekt Design
There are loads of walking trails in the town the main one
from the 13th century, is the most notable historical feature
Space is your one stop shop for furniture, lighting, rugs,
being the Mullaghareirk Walking Trails.
of the town. The Current Castle dates from the 15th
mirrors & daily lifestyle items, from brands such as
the walks ranges from 5km to 24km and cover a variety
century and has been recently partly restored and is open
Kartell, Calligaris, Missoni Home, SIA, DesignersGuild,
of terrain from open farmland and forest paths to quite
to the public, for guided tours May to September. Castle
ArteEspina, La Bougie, Durance, PresentTime & many
country roads. All the routes are signposted with route
Demesne has just under 100 acres of parkland located
more. They also have interior designers in store to help you
maps available for rack of the walks providing full directions
beside Desmond Castle and Banqueting Hall full of plants
get the home of your dreams.
and information on points of interest. Newcastle West Golf
The length of
and greenery. It is the perfect place for a stroll on a nice day.
Club is perfect for any golfing enthusiasts while also having
The park also contains leisure and sporting facilities as well
extraordinary views of the landscapes and scenery.
as a children’s playground. Article by: Reece Creed
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home I am currently obsessed with trying to make my outdoor
4. Vintage Trailer – A vintage trailer is a perfect alternative
space more “user friendly”. Since we have about 10 days
to a guest house and can also be transformed into an office
of sun in this country and a lot of beauty outside. It can be
or writer’s retreat.
quite depressing looking at it from inside the window so
5. Office Pod – Prefab office pods are incredibly convenient
without building a conservatory, what are my options?
to install and can provide you with an office space, play room or art studio in as little as a day.
The decking has been painted, the wooden furniture too, I’ve all the trimmings. The outdoor throws, the candles,
6. Teepee – Teepees are pretty trendy these days, which
the cushions, the fabulous outdoor table range, the drinks
means you can easily find one to buy online and in some
cooler, the BBQ, the firepit and the solar lanterns, it’s all
stores, or you can check out lots of do-it-yourself teepee
there - in hiding at the back of the shed due to the rain.
projects online. Backyard teepees make great reading nooks
On the hunt for solutions, I have come across these beauties,
and play rooms, and larger ones can even be used as a place
hopefully they will be of inspiration to you too, weather your
for guests to sleep.
space is big or small. You can’t beat having a gulp of fresh air with your wine spritzer on a bank holiday weekend!
7. Screened Porch – If you already have a paving stone patio, you may want to consider turning some or all of it
Backyard Room Ideas
into a screened room. While a screened porch is a simple
Here are just eight of the ways you can add an extra room to
structure, it creates a space you can use as a game room, art
your home by creating one in your backyard:
studio, sleeping porch and more.
1. Yurt – A yurt is a circular tent with a wood frame that makes it super sturdy. This versatile outdoor room is perfect
8. Solarium – Also known as a sunroom, a solarium can
for use as a guest room or meditation space.
be built into the design of your home or can be added after construction to expand your living space. Sturdier
2. Summer House – Some summer houses look a bit like
and providing more protection from the elements than a
converted sheds, but these simple structures are designed
screened porch, a sunroom can be used an a gym, office,
to provide a comfy place to relax outside when the weather
play room or other space where you might want electricity
is warm. They often have large door or one wall that can be
and need to protect office equipment or your treadmill from
opened completely to allow the outdoors in. Most popular
bad weather.
in Europe, summer houses are a growing trend in the United States.
There are a few things to consider when expanding your living space outdoors. First, you will want to check with
3. Converted Shed – You can convert a conventional shed
your local governing body to learn about regulations that
into a sewing room, summer house, yoga studio or game
could limit how you can use your outdoor room.
room, which makes this a great option for folks who already have a shed and have a smaller budget to use for their
Article by: Michelle Costello
outdoor room.
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C re ati v e ways t o g e t s p or ty!
Being the home of Munster Rugby with Thomand Park, being sporty has always been at the heart of Limerick. With such a creative city lying on a river with egger and active citizens, Limerick has always found a new way to get sporty! Coming up to summer everyone is getting ready to pop into their swimsuits so TLM got together a list of some creative ways to get sporty this summer. Roller jam Located on the Ballysimon road, Limerick Roller jam is a great way for the whole family to get active while still having fun! Open Wednesday to Sunday Limerick Roller Jam offers student nights, caters for hen parties and family nights as well as 80’s and 90’s nights so everyone can work up a sweat while still having fun and socialising. Skating for just one hour a week burns 600 calories and causes 50% less stress to joints than running does so it is just the perfectly creative way to keep fit and have fun! Pole Dancing Pole dancing is no longer just a form of entertainment with Burlesque and Bubbles workshop taking it to the mainstream showing us how it can be a fun way to stay fit and healthy, while helping your confidence and having fun. As well as the Burlesque and Bubbles workshops on Thomas street, KC Pole Fitness offers classes for beginners that aren’t too intense and you can still have great fun! With reviews describing the classes as a great laugh and still and intense work out, pole dancing looks like the cool creative way to get fit this summer.
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Soul Sunday at the Milk Market
Dog walking in Chez le Fab
Kayaking
With yoga and meditation growing more and more popular
If you are ready to put you’re walking shoes on the dog
Being the riverside city it is only expected that Limerick has
in Limerick so many places are getting behind the active
friendly cafe in the park offers dog walks from 11 O’ Clock
found a way to get creative and sporty using the Shannon.
lifestyles we have adopted offering Yoga in so many creative
every Sunday. The scenic walk which follows down the river
NevSail water sports offers fun and safe ways to keep fit
venues.
is the perfect way for you and your dog to keep fit while
while getting to see a whole new view of Limerick. Weather
enjoying a lovely Sunday stroll. You don’t need a dog to take
taking part of the team games, going on a history tour or
Every Sunday from 11-12 the Milk Market transforms its
part just walking with a group of people and their dogs is
just simply kayaking down the Shannon for the sights and
upstairs seating area into a Yoga hall, all you have to do is
great motivation. The walks are free and the cafe encourages
sounds it has to offer. Limerick Watersports are based from
bring along your matt! Soul Sunday at the Milk Market
everyone to get involved.
the Hunt Museum, offering Limerick Kayaking, Stand up
also offers Tai Chi/Qi Kung from 12-1 with Nadine. If you
Paddle Boarding, Boating, Sailing, Raft Building, Archery,
are based in Castletroy and the Milk Market is a stretch the
Archery Tag, Team Challenges and much more.
University of Limerick offers classes on a Saturday at 9:30. Article by: Cathal Ryan
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Pa r e n t i n g A positive birth experience
a larger element of all of this will be using the room for more natural processes and trying to get more natural birth. We have in addition to the bath, an adjoining shower room, a birthing cube, and birthing balls. This is something of a prototype for us and if it is successful and demand increases, we hope to do the same thing in another labour room,” he said. Members of the public were invited the UL Hospitals Group Inagural public lecture series on ‘Water Immersion for Labour’, at the Clinical Education and Research Building at UHL to hear speakers share the history of ULMH and how the home away from home or home birthing suite came to fruition. Birth workers, medical staff and expectant parents alike were informed of the technicalities of the pool, such as time required to fill -35mins and availability – first come first
A positive birth experience encompasses how a mother feels when she greets her baby for the first time, and how safe and supported a mother feels during the time of giving birth. Whether it’s a normal physiological birth in a hospital, a gentle-caesarean, or a home birth, positive birth experiences happen when a woman’s care provider trusts her to give birth and she trusts herself. With the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy underway, initiatives to improve birth experiences for women are rolling in across the nation as of last year. At the University Maternity Hospital in Limerick, a water immersion service for labour is to be made available to expectant mothers by the end of May/beginning of June, and will be available for normal-risk women in the newlyrefurbished home birthing room, as part of a range of labour supports in the home-birthing room to facilitate natural labour. The benefit of using water to reduce the pain of labour and childbirth is well established and accepted in most care settings. The use of a shower or hot wet towels for pain relief is common practice, while the buoyancy of water enables a woman to move more easily, alleviating pain and optimising the progress of her labour.
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served (birth preference inclusion advised), along with some Water offers a laboring woman an environment where she
restrictions as currently outlined by the Coombe for safe
can behave instinctively and feel in control. When a woman
use, which state:
feels in control during childbirth, she experiences a higher degree of postnatal emotional well-being.
• Use will be restricted to generally healthy women, with no pregnancy complications
Woman who wish to labour while immersed in deep warm
• No VBAC’s, so the expectant Mother has not had a
water know it is a simple way of assisting them to cope
previous cesarean birth
without the use of strong drugs. A reduction in the use of
• Pool is for labouring only, not birthing
which not only benefits the mother (who is more alert and
• Baby must have reached term i.e no earlier than 37 weeks
responsive after the birth) but the baby will also benefit
• Must be a single birth only, no multiples
considerably, allowing for an increase in tendency to latch
• Labour must have started spontaneously, can’t have been
and bond.
induced • Baby is in a head down (cephalic) position
There are considerable perceived benefits of using immersion in water during labour, including less painful contractions
Due to the large size of the immersion pool, partners are
and less need for pharmacological analgesia, shorter labour
welcomed to enter the pool with you. Mum’s are free to avail
and less need for augmentation with no known adverse
of Entonox (gas & air) and pethidine before entering the
effects for the woman herself.
pool providing no nausea, but no epidural.
Dr Mark Skehan, consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist,
Info leaflets are currently being created for ante natal class
said the team at UMHL was looking forward to opening
inclusion so if you are to give birth in the coming months
the new labour room to women, stating “Water immersion
and want to follow this route, the time is to discuss the
and hydrotherapy can be quite effective for pain relief and
option is now open. Article by: Jess Lyons
THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
H e a lt h a n d Fi t n e s s It’s all in the Vitamins and Minerals If you’re feeling tired and low on energy all the time or you’ve suddenly developed digestive issues, skin or bone issues, and a lack of minerals in our diet may be the root of the problem. So why are we mineral deficient the first place? A lot of it stems (excuse the pun) from the amount of plant damaging from poor soil. The soil nowadays is spread with insecticide, growth hormones, and multitude of chemicals thus being transferred into the plant. By the time we eat it certain amounts of the plant structure providing us with a larger and more plentiful amount of vitamin and minerals are destroyed. It is easy therefore to assume that even though you may be eating your veg that the actual quantity is no where near where we need it to be. Those affected most are the fussy eater. Having a varied diet is the only way to come close to achieving our RDA%. Saying that it must also be pointed out that some people have certain conditions that
While of course this is crucial to the prevention of skin
So as you can see just eating the known is not merely
may have them avoid some food groups.
cancers, it also stops us from producing the necessary
enough, but quite possibly leaving us deficient in many
amount of Vitamin D that we need. Scientist at UCC cork
other sources, that fundamental to our health and well
Supplements
conducted an analysis of Vitamin D only to find that 1 in 8
being.
Supplements are quite useful in obtaining the lack of
people in Europe, that’s about 13% are vitamin D deficient.
certain vitamins & minerals, but must not be seen as the
Now that there is a stretch in the evenings people should
Will power, may actually be cured..!
ultimate solution. We need to be eating a good variety
get out and try get some more sunlight as it is the best
Have you found yourself after eating or at lunch craving
of food each day to compliment our deficiencies. But we
source of Vitamin D.
something sugary or almost kicking down the vending machine as you frantically press a1 on the machine to stick
can by all means target certain deficiencies by utilising the availability of supplements. A simple blood test if often all
Phytonutrients
your teeth into a juicy mars bar. You beat yourself up as
that’s required to check if you are lacking in certain minerals
Here’s where it gets even more complicated. The trouble
you have left yourself down. Which now unloads a flood
and vitamins. Most of the time we are unaware that are even
with research is that every day there is something new
of hateful emotions as you have ruined your diet again.
deficient at all.
discovered. This of course is fantastic as we get more and
Well you maybe glad to know that it may not be will
more information about the foods we eat. But one thing no
power after all but rather a deficiency in minerals causing
One that springs to mind now that we move closer to the
matter what has remained the same, the closer to mother
you to crave everything from cheesecake to crisps. Being
summer is vitamin D. This in particular is a vitamin that is
earth we eat the greater our health and the greater the diet
low in magnesium and Calcium for example can have you
overlooked and shockingly those who live in the sunnier
becomes balanced. Take for example a tomato. We know
crave sugary things, so when you are craving desperately a
parts of the world suffer more. That may seem strange,
it is a good source of vitamin A, C, E & K, niacin, B6,
wonderful chocolate muffin it may be down to a lack of
but it is entirely down to skin type and the amount of UV
folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. What is
such vitamins in your diet.
protection used.
not realised by most is there are 40,000 phytonutrients (a substance that is found in plants, fruits and veg that have
Article by: Jason Kenny
huge benefits to human health) that are still being identified by science.
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L i t e r at ur e B o o k R e v i e ws 10 Books To Read This Month
This month we are spoiled for choice when it comes to stimulating new books to read. May seems to be the month for publishing books that deal with important, thought provoking topics. We’ve got politically charged books, books with undertones of delving into white privilege and racism and thrillers about female friendships. Whether your interests cover a wide spectrum, from political books written by former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to YA romance novels about waking up in a new body every day, there is absolutely something for everyone this month. Happy reading!
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I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain by Will Walton
My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley
I Felt a Funeral, in My Brain is a touching YA novel about
David Hedges’s is going through a pretty odd mid-life crisis,
discovering your own sexuality and dealing with grief and
his younger boyfriend has left him and he finds his job of
navigating life following a loss, when there are no rules or
getting teenagers into the college of their choice unfulfilling.
specific guidelines to live by. A story about a grieving young
He’s in a real rut until his ex-wife turns up and asks his help
man, Avery Fowell, told following grief ’s own patterns
in getting her daughter into college, which results in them
of being fragmented, messy and surprising. Coming to
living together again. This book aims to change how you see
bookshops May 29.
love and define family. Published May 8.
THE LIMERICK MAGAZINE
Political Risk: How Businesses and Organizations Can
They Come in All Colours: A Novel by Malcolm Hansen
That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
Anticipate Global Insecurity by Condoleezza Rice and
When the Freedom Rider’s protests came to Georgia, Huey
From the author of Rich and Pretty, comes a book about a
Amy Zegart
Fairchild parent’s assured him he was no different than
woman struggling with new motherhood. Rebecca Stone
Coming to bookshops May 1. New York Times bestselling
his white peers. But when he flees the state along with his
connects deeply with her black nanny Priscilla, who teaches
author and former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice
mother in 1968 along with his mother and begins attending
her about motherhood as well as to confront her own white
and Stanford University professor Amy B. Zegar come
a pretentious high school, it becomes apparent to him that
privilege. When Priscilla dies in childbirth Rebecca comes
together to examine political risk to a business. In today’s
he is biracial. When tempers flare Huey finds himself
forward to raise her son, although she isn’t prepared for how
changing world political risk can originates from the likes
on academic probation and begins to look at his current
differently the world is set on treating her two children.
of prominent figures and the public alike using their voice
situation through the lens of his childhood memories
Published May 8.
and influence on social media and also increased terrorist
of growing up in Akersburg during the Civil Rights
attacks. This book investigates what businesses can do to
Movement. Published May 29.
navigate this evolving landscape.
Dead Girls by Abigail Tarttelin
Sorority by Genvieve Sly Crane
Published May 3, this thriller follows 11 year old Thera
This book about female friendship and coming of age will
who, after her best friend Billie is killed, sets out to find her
appeal to anyone who has ever been curious about what
killer with the aid of a Ouija board, Billie’s ghost, and the
goes on in a sorority house. The book is as tense and filled
spirits of four other dead girls.
with as many secrets as the house itself, where the girls are reeling after the death of a pledge. Published May 1.
Every Day by David Levithan
The fourth book in the Red Queen series is finally here.
Every day A wakes up in a different body, with a different
Coming to bookshops May 15 the eagerly anticipated
life but every day they are in love with the same girl. A lays
novel picks up from where we left off, with Mare fighting
down some rules to protect themselves, such as never get
to secure freedom for Reds and newbloods just like her.
attached. But when A wakes up in Justin’s body and meet
Overthrowing Maven won’t be easy though, especially as
Justin’s girlfriend Rhiannon, A decides the rules no longer
he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again. It’s
apply because they have found someone they want to be
promised to be an epic conclusion to the New York Times
with forever. Every Day will challenge your idea of love, as
bestselling series.
you watch A and Rhiannon navigate the challenges of loving someone who changes every day. Movie adaption coming to cinemas May 20
Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro Hitting bookshops May 22. Ever since the Oakland police killed his father, Moss Jeffries has suffered from panic attacks. Six years later, he finds himself and other students to be the subject of discrimination
book OF TH E MON TH
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
at his high school, involving random locker checks and police stationed in the hallways. Moss and his peers decide to utilise their anger and fight back against an unfair system. By Sarah Talty
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TV TV MAY
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Patrick Melrose
The Bridge
Our favourite comedy about post-cult life is back!
Benedict Cumberbatch returns to the small screen in
The Bridge has been one of the superior Scandanavian
"Unbreakable Kimmy Scmidt" returns to Netflix for its
this adaptation of the semi-autobiographical novels
crime dramas, and it returns for its fourth and final season
fourth season on 30 May. Netflix are releasing the season
from Edward St. Aubyn. Cumberbatch plays the titular
this month moving from its former home on BBC Four
in two halves so we'll have to wait until later in the year
character, who is an aristocratic playboy that suffered a
to BBC Two. The last season left Saga under suspicion of
for the last six episodes. In the meantime, we do have six
deeply traumatic childhood leading to substance abuse
killing her own mother, and we'll pick up two years later
episodes of bizarre hilarity to enjoy as we watch Kimmy
as an adult, and ultimately recovery. With such a journey
as she languishes in prison. Of course, there's also another
(Ellie Kemper) navigate life with her equally barmy friends
from victim to survivor, this is set to be compelling viewing.
macabre crime that's occurred and this one involves the
– Titus, Jacqueline and Lillian. We may discover a bit more
Each of the season's five episodes will be based on the five
brutal murder of a woman in charge of immigration for the
about what happened in the bunker, with perhaps a further
novels within the series. Also starring Jennifer Jason Leigh,
Danish government. Henrik has a new partner whose lack
appearance or two from Jon Hamm. Busy Phillips is also
Hugo Weaving and Blythe Danner, the cast is stellar and
of political correctness leaves a lot to be desired, and they'll
slated to join for a few episodes so once again, Tina Fey's
makes this a must-watch. Check it out on Sky Atlantic on
focus on a left-wing activist group, while Henrik continues
show is looking to be another season of guaranteed giggles.
13 May.
searching for his missing daughters. With so much going on, this season is absolutely unmissable.
Siren
Bulletproof
The Handmaid's Tale
Mermaids have been in fashion for a while now, so it was
Bulletproof is Sky One's new show about police duo
The first season exploded into the cultural stratosphere, and
inevitable that there would be a show about them. This will
Bishop (Noel Clarke) and Pike (Ashley Walters) who
considering current #MeToo movement, season two will
be a much darker and stranger show than expected however,
are best friends, despite their differences as Pike's father
create just as many fireworks. Moving beyond the story
as the mermaids are less Ariel and more odd, brutal killers.
was the first black commissioner while Bishop spent his
of Margaret Atwood's novel, Offred is now free from the
Set in Bristol Cove, which according to legend was once
childhood being moved from one foster home to another.
home where she served as handmaid and is set on finding
home to mermaids, a mysterious girl Ryn comes to town
Their personal motivations may be different but they share
her child. Moira has managed to escape to Canada, and the
and catches the attention of marine biologists and a
a strong moral code. Bulletproof will have a mixture of
Commander and his wife deal with the fallout of Offred's
fisherman while a military conspiracy ensues. This promises
action, drama and comedy as their friendship is put to
disappearance. Few shows have had as much impact as The
to be more of a horror series so expect to see mermaids in a
the test. Everyone loves a buddy cop drama and this will
Handmaid's Tale and season two will be upping the ante.
whole new light when it premieres on SyFy UK on 3 May.
certainly provide!
Watch it when it airs this month on Channel Four. Article by: Sarah Lafferety
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T L M e v e n t G ui d e MAY EDITION EXHIBITION/TALK
FAMILY/KIDS
Jack L @ Dolans 8pm
Tuesday 1st – Sunday 3rd June
4th - 7th May 2018
Saturday 5th May
Bealtaine Festival
Riverfest Limerick
The Don Baker & Rob Strong Band @ Dolans 8pm
Thursday 3rd - Sunday 6th May
Saturday 5th May
Sunday 6th May
UL/Frank McCourt Literary Festival @ University of
UL Sport Kids Run @ University of Limerick
Live @ King John's Castle: Bell X1 @ 7pm
Limerick
Saturday 12th May
Wednesday 16th May
Thursday 3rd - Thursday 31st May
Darkness Into Light Limerick City @ 4.15am
Death and the Maiden: Irish Chamber Orchestra @ St
Exhibition: Painting the Stars @ Friars Gate Theatre,
Saturday 19th May
Marys Cathedral 7pm
Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
Storytime with the Under the Bed Monsters @ Granary
Friday 18th May
Monday 7th May
Library, The Granary, Michael Street, Limerick 11.30am
Lisa Canny @ Dolans 8pm
Conversation Programme for People Living with Dementia
Saturday 19th May
Friday 25th May
@ The Hunt Museum 2.30pm - 4pm
Twinkle Twinkle @ Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street,
Finbar Furey @ UCH 8pm
Tuesday 8th May
Limerick 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm
Saturday 26th May
Lecture: Mikael Fernström: 'Pocket Museums' @ The Hunt
Saturday 20th May
Aslan 'Feel NO SHAME' 30 Year Anniversary @ The Big
Museum 1pm - 2pm
Family Fun Race Day @ Limerick Racecourse 2pm
Top 8pm
Saturday 12th May
Thursday 31st May
Watercolours with Mary Dillon @ The Hunt Museum
Iarla O'Lionaird & Steve Cooney @ Dolans 8pm
10.30am - 4pm
MUSIC
Wednesday 16th - Friday 18th May
Tuesday 1st May
Unwrap Fashion Festival 2018
The Michael Jackson History Show @ UCH 8pm
SPORT
Saturday 19th May
Thursday 3rd - Monday 7th May
Friday 4th - Sunday 6th May
National Drawing Day @ The Hunt Museum 11am - 3pm
Fleadh by the Feale 2018 @ Abbeyfeale
Nevsail's Zorb Ball Sessions @ The Hunt Museum
Sunday 27th May
Thursday 3rd May
Saturday 12th May
Brick Con Limerick @ St Johns CMWS, Mulgrave Street,
Siomha & Brian O'Brien @ Dolans 8pm
Limerick FC V St Patrick's Athletic @ Marketsfield
Limerick 10am - 6pm
Saturday 5th May
6.30pm Monday 21st May Limerick FC V Cork City @ Marketsfield , time TBC COMEDY/THEATRE Tuesday 1st - Thursday 3rd May Echoes @ Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick 8pm Tuesday 1st - Thursday 3rd May Minding Frankie @ Lime Tree Theatre 8pm Saturday 12th May Blindboy Podcast Tour @ Dolans 7:30 Friday 18th & Saturday 19th May Mario Rosenstock @ UCH 8pm Friday 25th & Saturday 26th May Autumn Royal @ Belltable, 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick 8pm
Fo l l ow u s o n l i n e fo r m o re e ve n t l i s t i n g s w w w. t h e l i m e r i c k m a g a z i n e. co m
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Cl o s i n g t i m e 1 0 M i n ut e s W i t h . . . Sean Curtin
Name: Sean Curtin Occupation: Photographer
As a photographer, I appreciate light a lot and sunrise is
Are you superstitious/Do you have any personal rituals
one of those special times of the day that many people miss
for good luck?
quite often, which is the shame as each new sunrise radiates
I am not superstitious at all, not really a believer in that stuff.
with possibilities.
I have learned that you make your own luck and sometimes
Fun fact about you:
not as the case may be. As they say “Prepare for the worst
I am a Landrover fanatic. It’s an illness really.
So as Landrover say “One Life, Live It”
but hope for the best”
Lesser known fact: I’m a water baby according to my wife
What one thing do you never leave the house without?
How would you sum up your life in 6 words?
Kate. Any chance I can get I'm beside the sea, in it or
I forget everything, I’d like to say keys, wallet, phone but
Driven, fast, breath-taking, invigorating, illuminating and
covered by it. I discovered surfing a few years back and am
always end up ordering lunch to find out I have no wallet or
passionate
hooked. I love being in the open water. It’s refreshing for
can’t ring Kate because I have forgotten my phone.
the body and soul What motivates you in the morning?
Describe your ideal weekend in Limerick? Any hidden or lesser known talents?
I try escape to the coast whenever I can. However, some
Depends who you ask……..
of my favourite weekends in Limerick have gone like this,
Not to sound clichéd, life itself. It is for living.
lazy breakfast in the milk market, strolling around getting As a child what did you want to be growing up?
nibbles, bumping randomly into familiar faces, catching up
I walked the Camino de Santiago in 2014 with my wife.
A truck driver, thought I would be a globe trotter and get to
with folks in the bustling crowd. Its the best way to start a
I was a bit reluctant to go at the time as work was so busy
see so much of the world meet so many interesting people.
day, the vibe in the Milk Market is hard to beat. Going for
(City of Culture). We walked 750Km in 24 days with a
My ambitions changed when I realised that you really didn’t
a run along the canal bank out by U.L and home for lunch
total disconnect from work, social media and life really.
get to enjoy the world from the cab of a truck.
with the wifey. An evening stroll around the river invariably
A complete disconnect allowed me to see the world in a
ends up with a few sneaky pints before dinner with friends
whole new light. In that time we talked about not waiting
What is your favourite word?
chatting till the late hours in some of the greatest bars
until retirement to do all we had dreamed. Who knows
Fred
limerick has to offer. Sundays are lazy and normally spent
when your time is up so why wait for that rainy day? It
chilling the folks and family.
was an experience that changed our lives. I came home and
Favourite quote of all time?
rearranged the way I live life. I have a “work life balance
“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're
Favourite place to grab a bite to eat?
now” Or what Kate calls a work hard play hard life! I still
absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.” Jo Walton
This is a hard one. Kate and I have three favourites, The
work long hours but now really appreciate the small things.
Curragower for everything from a quick lunch to a cozy
For example when I am in Limerick, I take a walk around
What is the most recent book you have read?
night by the fire. Azure has always been a firm favourite for
the three bridges at sunrise before I start into the day. Just to
The little book of lost things by John Connolly. It really
us, we have celebrated many an occasion there in style. Last
have that hour or so before delving into the madness.
sticks with you.
but by no means least, The Piccola Pizzeria, Kate brought me there when we were first dating (nearly twenty years ago now) and for both of us it is like home.
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Best drink in town? Tuesday night pints of Guinness in Myles Breens Favourite people? My parents, wife, family and friends. (in no particular order of course!) All of whom I owe everything and would be nothing without. Happiness is....... Contentment, well for me at least. I am grateful for those in my life that l love and who love me. I am grateful for this life and who I have become in it, for all that I have achieved and for all that is yet to be. Almost every day I reflect on what I have to be thankful for and it’s these three that makes me feel all the good vibes. Some think mediation takes hours, seriously though, a few minutes when, walking to work, making coffee or stuck in traffic is all it takes to breath in reflect and be happy for a great many things in life. Try it. You might surprise yourself. Article by: Michelle Costello Photography by: True Media
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