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Pictured at the Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee video promo shoot from left to right – Rebecca Reynolds, Focus Ireland, Richard Lynch and Aisling O’Connor, I Love Limerick, Celia Holman Lee, Focus Ireland Ambassador, Claire Culhane, Luke Culhane, Limerick Person of the Year and Mick O’Connor, Focus Ireland. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan.
Celia Holman Lee Fights Homelessness with Focus Ireland
Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee joins the fight against Homelessness
Limerick’s Celia Holman Lee has given her backing to the fight against homelessness with the news that she has been unveiled as an ambassador for Focus Ireland.
The well-known model, fashion stylist and television presenter is supporting the Focus Ireland efforts locally in Limerick, and nationally, as the homelessness crisis worsens.
Next year, 2018 will mark twenty years of Focus Ireland service provision in Limerick City and County, and now more than ever Celia is urging local people to get behind the efforts.
Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee said: “I am so honoured to become an ambassador for Focus Ireland as thanks to them there is a clear end in sight for the trauma of homelessness that Irish families are currently going through each day.
“It breaks my heart to see that the number of homeless children has continued to rise and to be given an opportunity to shine a light on this crisis is something that I feel very passionate about.
“I am a mother and a grandmother and my family means more to me than anything else in the world.”
She added: “We have to protect these families and ensure that all children in this country feel safe and secure.”
The impact which Focus Ireland has made on the people of Limerick was borne out by a recent study which outlined the difference a youth housing project made in the city.
It changed the lives of young people who were homeless or at risk, and the project has been so successful that leading international experts believe it should be introduced nationally.
Despite the best efforts of many, Limerick is one of the most economically disadvantaged cities in Ireland.
Recent evidence suggests that its position has declined further relative to other cities since the recession.
Celia Holman Lee, Focus Ireland Ambassador, Richard Lynch, I Love Limerick and Rebecca Reynolds, Focus Ireland. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan.
This environment has, in turn, increased the difficulties faces by many of those Focus Ireland assists in seeking housing, employment and other supports.Focus Ireland’s Limerick Manager Ger Spillane has witnessed first-hand the impact of the soaring cost of rent coupled with a shortage of supply, locally.
Mr Spillane said: “Focus Ireland knows through our work that seeking advice and information as early as possible can really help to prevent people from losing their home.”
“To have someone as committed and high-profile as Celia Holman Lee supporting our efforts means a lot in terms of raising awareness of the issues, and helping us to fund our services.”
Mr Spillane said: “Our frontline staff here are still dealing with people who have become homeless from the rental sector as rents have been hiked up and they can’t afford them.
“There needs to a much wider range of Government actions taken to keep protect tenants and keep them in their homes.”
The charity said the Government really has to kick-start the building of homes and follow through on delivering a more secure private rented sector if Ireland is to end the deepening crisis in the rental housing and homelessness areas.
Ger Spillane added: “Having Celia on board helps Focus Ireland to raise vital funds and awareness of the fact that the housing crisis is continuing to deepen.”
He concluded: “An average of 80 families has become homeless every month so far this year, compared with 60 a month last year. The crisis is worsening.”
Focus Ireland said it aims to play its own key role in overcoming the crisis – for people who are homeless or at risk- as the charity aims to double its housing stock over the next four years.
The charity currently provides homes for over 600 households around the country who were previously homeless or at risk.
To visit the official website for Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee click here
To visit the official website for Focus Ireland click here
To read more Focus Ireland stories on I Love Limerick click here
Celia Holman Lee Fights Homelessness with Focus Ireland
Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee joins the fight against Homelessness
By I Love Limerick Correspondent Jordan Mac Cormaic
Limerick’s Celia Holman Lee has given her backing to the fight against homelessness with the news that she has been unveiled as an ambassador for Focus Ireland.
The well-known model, fashion stylist and television presenter is supporting the Focus Ireland efforts locally in Limerick, and nationally, as the homelessness crisis worsens.
Next year, 2018 will mark twenty years of Focus Ireland service provision in Limerick City and County, and now more than ever Celia is urging local people to get behind the efforts.
Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee said: “I am so honoured to become an ambassador for Focus Ireland as thanks to them there is a clear end in sight for the trauma of homelessness that Irish families are currently going through each day.
“It breaks my heart to see that the number of homeless children has continued to rise and to be given an opportunity to shine a light on this crisis is something that I feel very passionate about.
“I am a mother and a grandmother and my family means more to me than anything else in the world.”
She added: “We have to protect these families and ensure that all children in this country feel safe and secure.”
The impact which Focus Ireland has made on the people of Limerick was borne out by a recent study which outlined the difference a youth housing project made in the city.
It changed the lives of young people who were homeless or at risk, and the project has been so successful that leading international experts believe it should be introduced nationally.
Despite the best efforts of many, Limerick is one of the most economically disadvantaged cities in Ireland.
Recent evidence suggests that its position has declined further relative to other cities since the recession.
Celia Holman Lee, Focus Ireland Ambassador, Richard Lynch, I Love Limerick and Rebecca Reynolds, Focus Ireland. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan.
This environment has, in turn, increased the difficulties faces by many of those Focus Ireland assists in seeking housing, employment and other supports.Focus Ireland’s Limerick Manager Ger Spillane has witnessed first-hand the impact of the soaring cost of rent coupled with a shortage of supply, locally.
Mr Spillane said: “Focus Ireland knows through our work that seeking advice and information as early as possible can really help to prevent people from losing their home.”
“To have someone as committed and high-profile as Celia Holman Lee supporting our efforts means a lot in terms of raising awareness of the issues, and helping us to fund our services.”
Mr Spillane said: “Our frontline staff here are still dealing with people who have become homeless from the rental sector as rents have been hiked up and they can’t afford them.
“There needs to a much wider range of Government actions taken to keep protect tenants and keep them in their homes.”
The charity said the Government really has to kick-start the building of homes and follow through on delivering a more secure private rented sector if Ireland is to end the deepening crisis in the rental housing and homelessness areas.
Ger Spillane added: “Having Celia on board helps Focus Ireland to raise vital funds and awareness of the fact that the housing crisis is continuing to deepen.”
He concluded: “An average of 80 families has become homeless every month so far this year, compared with 60 a month last year. The crisis is worsening.”
Focus Ireland said it aims to play its own key role in overcoming the crisis – for people who are homeless or at risk- as the charity aims to double its housing stock over the next four years.
The charity currently provides homes for over 600 households around the country who were previously homeless or at risk.
To visit the official website for Focus Ireland Ambassador Celia Holman Lee click here
To visit the official website for Focus Ireland click here
To read more Focus Ireland stories on I Love Limerick click here
Pictured at the Limerick Person of the Year Award 2016 were Claire Culhane, Richard Lynch, Grace Culhane, Luke Culhane, winner of the Limerick Person of the year Award 2016, Olive Foley and Dermot Culhane. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick
The 14-year-old Limerick boy, Luke Culhane, whose viral video warning against cyberbullying and the late Anthony Foley – posthumously receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award – were today the top recipients at the Limerick Person of the Year 2016 awards.
The creation of a powerful video – ‘Create No Hate’ – saw Luke Culhane, from Castletroy View, selected as the January award recipient and made enough of an impact to have him selected all of 12 months later for the Limerick Person of the Year 2016.
Luke Culhane, whose viral video warning against cyberbullying went viral was named Limerick person of the year 2016. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media.
A budding filmmaker and blogger, Luke was motivated to create the video after being a victim of cyberbullying himself and, with over 500,000 views, its success was such that the story was picked up by Sky News, BBC, MTV, Fox, RTE and UTV, among others.
The international admiration for his efforts stretched all the way to December when he was named Young Person of the Year by prominent French newspaper Mon Quotidien.
Accepting the award, Luke Culhane said: “Thank you so much to everyone that supported the video, the main thing is that helped loads of other children after I Skyped a school in South Africa it inspired them to make their own video. It’s not just me that won, it’s the whole of Limerick.”
Today’s event, held at the Clayton Hotel, Limerick, also saw Olive Foley, wife of the late Anthony Foley, receive a Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of her husband, whose death on October 16th last led to one of the single greatest outpourings of sadness ever experienced across Limerick.
The legendary Shannon, Munster and Ireland No. 8 Anthony moved with his family from Murroe to Killaloe when he was 3 years old but had an indelible connection with Limerick over the years. He was schooled at St. Munchin’s, where he first gained prominence as a schools rugby star, before going on to become the most coloured captain in the history of Shannon and Munster rugby.
Speaking at today’s event, Limerick Leader Editor Eugene Phelan said: “It’s fair to say that the two recipients today were utterly inspirational in very different ways but we are here with mixed emotions in relation to them today.
“We all marvelled at Luke’s courage and, indeed, technical ability in putting this video together. It relates to an area that all of society is exercised and very concerned about but when it is a 13-year-old member of that society, as he was then, we are all humbled by what he did. Luke is clearly a leader and I suspect that this is the start of what will be a hugely successful career in film and one that, will no doubt, leave its mark in a very positive way on society.”
Speaking of the award to Anthony Foley, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said: “With regard to Anthony Foley, all of us who love rugby and sport generally were totally shocked by news of his death. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like the collective sense of loss that greeted this. He was an incredible man both on and off the field.
The 14 year-old Limerick boy, Luke Culhane, whose viral video warning against cyberbullying and the late Anthony Foley Ð posthumously receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award – were today the top recipients at the Limerick Person of the Year 2016 awards. Photo: Sean Curtin True Media.
“We all celebrated his rugby achievements and got so much joy here in Limerick from that. But the other side of Anthony was what he did off the field, his charity work and just how he held himself as a person. He was arguably the most modest sports star and this is an acknowledgement that he totally deserves.”
Speaking at the event, Olive Foley said: “I’m pretty sure Anthony would be recoiling with the attention here today. He was very proud of his association with Limerick and from a sporting perspective will always be associated with Munster and Shannon, with many of his greatest rugby moments here in Limerick.
“We know that everyone here misses him and it goes without saying that we do. But we really appreciate the fact that he is thought of and remembered so fondly, including with this Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Now in its 16th year and sponsored by The Limerick Leader, Southern Marketing Design & Media and the Clayton Hotel, the Limerick Person of the Year Award was set up to honour the achievements and success of local people.
Pat Reddan, General Manager, Clayton Limerick Hotel said: “We are delighted to sponsor such an event that showcases the very best of Limerick and the people who call it home, they truly are all inspirational.”
Congratulating all nominees, Dave O’Hora of Southern Marketing Design & Media said: “each of the nominees have in their own way made an outstanding contribution to the cultural, sporting, business and community scene in Limerick, today Limerick celebrates and it should.”
Past winners of the title include philanthropist JP McManus, world champion boxer Andy Lee, rugby stars Paul O’Connell and Tony Ward, author Donal Ryan, transatlantic rower Paul Gleeson and Thomond Park developer Pat Whelan.
The Limerick Person of the Year 2016 judging panel consisted of Eugene Phelan, Editor of The Limerick Leader; Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council; and Cllr. Kieran O’Hanlon, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick.
For more information on Create No Hate click here
To read past stories on Limerick Person of the Year click here
Limerick Going for Gold 2016 winner is Glin!
The West of Limerick is awake and celebrating after Glin was announced as overall winner of Limerick Going for Gold 2016.
There were jubilant celebrations in The Strand Hotel this evening (Tuesday 11 October) as the residents of the village claimed the top prize.
Richard Lynch of ILoveLimerick.com hosted the event and said,”I am honoured to be involved with this initiative for the past 5 years. It is my favourite event of the year!”
Limerick Going for Gold’s mission is to make Limerick a brighter, better, cleaner place to live, work and visit.
The competition fosters and nurtures community spirit and it’s plain to see in every town, village and estate that it’s flourishing.
A total of twelve communities made the final of the Limerick Going for Gold Challenge Category. Limerick Going for Gold 2016 has a prize pool of over €76,000, courtesy of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
Prizes were also awarded in five other Going for Gold categories, including Limerick in Bloom, Best Estate/ Residential Area and Endeavour Award.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon congratulated the participating communities: “It’s through the hard work and the commitment of the local communities that ensures that Limerick Going for Gold continues to be a tremendous success. Who would have thought that the competition, which began in 2010, would have grown so much and captured the imagination of everyone, and become the success that it is.”
“I would like to that Limerick City and County Council and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation for organising the initiative, as well as the event supporters and sponsors including Limerick’s Live 95FM, The Limerick Leader and The Limerick Chronicle, The Limerick Post, Parkway Shopping Centre, I Love Limerick and Southern Marketing Media and Design.”
“Going for Gold’s mission is to make Limerick a brighter, better, cleaner place to live, work and visit and every community who participated in this campaign, as well as the event sponsors and supporters continue to contribute to that mission,” added Mayor O’Hanlon.
The Challenge Category final was made up of 12 groups from Limerick city and county who were decided by a combination of local judging and results from the national Tidy Towns Competition.
Finalists were chosen by popular vote on Live 95FM over a five-week period. The finalists were Hospital, Kilteely, Murroe, Newcastle West and Patrickswell.
They were joined by seven wildcards – Adare Bruff, Croom, Feenagh, Glin, Moyross, and Rathkeale – which were selected by the Limerick Going for Gold judging panel of David Hurley (reporter with The Limerick Leader), Nick Condon (Tidy Towns Adjudicator) and Gerry Behan (retired Director of Service, Limerick County Council).
Following visits to each of the locations and lengthy discussions between the judges, this year’s Limerick Going for Gold 2016 winner is Glin.
They receive the top prize of €10,000, with Kilteely receiving €7,000 for second and Adare getting €5,000 for third.
All finalists receive prizes to help them continue their good work.
Going for Gold 2016 Limerick in Bloom Category’s Overall winner was Ardpatrick (€5,000) with Strand in runners-up position (€3,000).
Prizes were also awarded to Tidy Towns groups based on their Tidy Towns score.
Rockhill received €3,000 for being the Most Improved Tidy Towns group.
Glenbrook Glendale Glendale Lawn scooped the €2,000 first prize in the Estates/ Residential Area category.
Endeavour Awards of €1,000 each to encourage and/or support ongoing work on the environment were presented to Limerick Youth Service Centre, Back2New Upcycling, Newcastle West and PALLs, Probation and Linkage in Limerick Scheme Dock and the Adapt Shop on Sarsfield Street for their joint Upcycling Initiative.
The Garden Competition Category was sponsored by the Parkway Shopping Centre and featured a prize fund of €1,000 in shopping vouchers. Roger Beck from the Parkway Shopping Centre presented the top prize to Mrs Nellie Barrett, Ballintubber, Newcastle West.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gerry Boland of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation said: “Individuals, Tidy Towns Groups and Residents’ Associations from across Limerick city and county have once again come out in numbers to support this initiative. One hundred and forty four groups participated this year and your participation and the voluntary work that you are doing creates a real sense of community in your local areas.
Gordon Daly, Director of Service Operations with Limerick City and County Council said: “Going for Gold is one of the premier community awards in the country and that is down to the supporters and sponsors of the competition, the generosity of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, and, in particular, the hard work and dedication of the large number of volunteers across our communities in Limerick. We are delighted that this annual event affords the opportunity to recognise the contribution they make to enhancing the quality of life in Limerick.”
List of Categories, winners and awards:
Going for Gold Challenge
1st Place €10,000 Glin
2nd Place €7,000 Kilteely
3rd Place €5,000 Adare
4th Place €3,000 Patrickswell
5th Place €2,000 Newcastle West
Finalists (each receive €1,000)
Bruff
Croom
Feenagh
Hospital
Rathkeale
Moyross
Murroe
Limerick in Bloom
1st Place €5,000 Ardpatrick
2nd Place €3,000 Strand
3rd Place €2,000 Knockainey
Highly commended (each receive €1,000)
Annacotty
Athea
Galbally
Doon
South Limerick City and
Foynes
Garden Competition (trophies and vouchers from Parkway Shopping Centre)
1st place Mrs Nellie Barrett, Ballintubber, Newcastle West
2nd Place Christine Ronan, Pallasgreen
3rd Place Gerry Ryan, Rosbrien
Endeavour Awards (€1,000 for each organisation listed)
Limerick Youth Service Centre
Back2New Upcycling, Newcastle West
PALLs, Probation and Linkage in Limerick Scheme Dock and the Adapt Shop on Sarsfield Street for their joint Upcycling Initiative
Tidy Towns Incentive
Highest scores across the following categories (€1,000 each)
Tidiness and Litter Control Castleconnell
Sustainable Waste Management Kilmallock
Wildlife & Natural Amenities Broadford and Mountcollins
Landscaping and Open Spaces Ardpatrick and Adare
Most Improved in each Municipal District (€1,500 Each)
Limerick Metro Gouldavoher
Adare/ Rathkeale Rathkeale
Newcastle West Athea
Cappamore/ Kilmallock Glenroe
Most improved overall in Tidy Towns 2016 (€3000)
Rockhill
Estates/ Residential Area
1st Place €2,000 Glenbrook Glendale Glendale Lawn
2nd Place €1,500 Caherdavin
3rd Place €1,000 Monaleen Park
Highly commended (each receive €500) Limerick Going for Gold 2016 winner.
Cappamore Estates
Castletroy View Residents Association Limerick Going for Gold 2016 winner.
Kyleafea/ Caemore Court Residents Association
Meadowbrook Residents Association
Rosmor Residents Association
Spring Grove Residents Association
Verdant Crescent Residents Association
Woodlawn Residents Association
Read more about Going For Gold here.
Check out the Limerick Going For Gold 2016 winner, Glin here.
Check out the JP McManus Charitable Foundation here.
Check out Limerick City and County Council here.
They queued for four hours in advance to meet the man who is without a doubt a true Limerick legend.
Coinciding with the release of his much-anticipated autobiography, Paul O’Connell signed copies of his book, The Battle, in O’Mahony’s Bookshop .
Over 500 people queued for hours to meet former rugby legend Paul O’Connell at his book signing in Limerick city this past Sunday, eager to get a signed copy of his book The Battle.
The book signing was due to begin at 2pm, however after The Battle author observed images of the lengthy queues on I Love Limerick’s social media, he arrived early so as not to disappoint fans on his home ground in the Treaty City.
Paul O Connell book signing at O’Mahony’s Bookshop. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick
Even before he was due to meet his legions of fans, he had planned to sign more than 200 copies of The Battle, which were pre-ordered by customers who couldn’t attend the signing.
The Battle was co-written with Alan English, former editor of the Limerick Leader and current editorial director of Iconic Newspapers, which own the Leader. He also attended the signing along with many family members.
I had the honour of interviewing Paul at the book signing. With typical modesty, when asked how he felt about the phenomenal turnout, he joked that the book might be an easy Christmas present for people, as many queued to purchase several books for friends and family members.
The former Munster, Ireland and Lion’s captain described The Battle as “the full story. I think it’s very honest and I hope people will enjoy it,” he said.
I asked him what exactly was ‘The Battle’ he faced, he revealed, “the battle was mainly with myself, the injuries, playing high-pressure games, trying to win things, trying to be successful,” and told me, “blaming myself when we lost a game made me better.”
I asked him how it felt to be so loved by the people of Limerick, “I am very proud of my Limerick roots. I love living here, the sense of humour the people have, what a great place to live.”
I admire Paul so much, not just for his sporting achievements, but for his soul. Paul is a man who is truly proud of our beautiful city as he has said himself on numerous occasions and proved undoubtedly over the years through his involvement with positive campaigns and charity work. Congrats Paul. All of Limerick are rooting for you!
You can find out more about the Paul O Connell book, ‘The Battle’, here.
Here you can read more stories about Paul O Connell.
On Thursday, September 29, Niall Breslin aka Bressie, a role model and advocate for mental health in Ireland gave a talk on mental health and well being at the Castletroy Park Hotel. The Bressie talk at Casteltroy Park Hotel was a huge success with a full house of around 400 people listening to his keynote speech.
Bressie is an Irish musician and former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster Rugby player. Breslin found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with pop band The Blizzards, as a co-writer and producer with XIX Entertainment and as a solo artist. He was the winning coach on the first and third seasons of The Voice of Ireland.
Before the Bressie talk at Castletroy Park Hotel, Bressie spoke with I Love Limerick correspondent Holly Kenny about mental health and well-being on a variety of topics such as, the evolution of Mental Health in Ireland, the connection between physical and mental health, how music and creativity help when battling anxiety and depression and the next step for the progression of mental health services in Ireland.
Niall Breslin gives a talk on mental health to a capacity crowd at Castletroy Park Hotel Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick
When asked about his own role models for mental health in the 90’s, Bressie spoke about how mental health was misunderstood, “Things I remember quite acutely, one of our heroes growing up would have been Kurt Kobain and when he took his own life all of us in school were asking the teachers ‘what happened?’. I mean, we didn’t understand what suicide was.”
The conversation turned to the importance of embracing the talents and passions of an individual. Bressie spoke about his own musical history with his band ‘The Blizzards’, “When I play an instrument, I’m not thinking about anything else. Whether it’s piano, guitar or I’m writing music, you go into the present which is the holy grail for anybody. If you can be present, you can actually embrace the moment and not worry about the past or the future – and that’s a cliché thing to hear but until you do things that you love or are passionate about, that’s when you will truly understand.”
Following the interview, the I Love Limerick team sat to listen to the speakers for the evening. The first speaker, Jen Ronan from See Change Ireland, gave a humorous speech about her past and complications she endured when dealing with her mental health issues over the years. Considering it was her first time doing public speaking, Jen stole the hearts of the crowd with her endearing, quirky personality.
After Jen’s speech, Bressie came up on the stage to talk about the spectrum of Mental Health while also touching on some political issues regarding the need for more governmental mental health resources.
Niall Breslin gives a talk on mental health to a capacity crowd at Castletroy Park Hotel Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick
Bressie spoke about growing up with anxiety and the difficulties of getting support and the pressure of presenting yourself in a positive light even though you’re going through hell on the inside. He also spoke about the importance of being good to your body and how that can reflect on your mental health. After changing his diet, eating healthier and staying away from alcohol his anxiety improved. He also spoke about the importance of facing your fear when trying to overcome anxiety by telling a story about his fear of swimming, and how he confronted it by learning how to swim and signing up for an open water swimming competition.
He said that schools needing to embrace young people’s talents instead of pushing them to do courses that they don’t want to do.
Lastly, Bressie gave five simple tips for the audience to practice at home for 10 days.
First, stay away from toxic people and environments.
Second, practice self-compassion.
Third, say 30 thank you’s from when you wake up and be grateful for life.
Fourth, have 30 mindful moments a day, pay attention to the little things in life, the comfort of a cup of tea or how snug you feel in a blanket.
Last but not least, stop judging people, because you have no idea what that people could be really going through.
Follow Bressie on Twitter here.
Visit Bressie’s Mental Health website A Lust for Life here.
For more news on Mental Health in Limerick from I Love Limerick click here.
Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 got under way last week with a number of special events held for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities in the city, as well as the wider Limerick public.
As always, there was an educational aspect to the Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016. Support meetings will be held throughout the week for youth, adult and transgender groups.
The main event, of course, was the annual Limerick Pride parade, which kicked off last Saturday from City Hall.
The theme of this year’s festival was #UnitedColoursofLimerick and the Parade was led by Broden Giambrone, the chief executive of Transgender Equality Network Ireland. Broden brought many friends from Dublin and after the Parade made an inspirational speech at PrideFest 2016, a showcase of local LGBT culture, held in a beautiful marquee on the grounds of the Hunt Museum.
In 2015, Ireland saw the Marriage Equality Referendum passed as well as a Bill on Gender Recognition; Broden said that although these are welcome changes and are massive steps in LGBTI history in Ireland there is still a lot to be done. Broden says there is a need for hate-crime legislation, increased supports nationally and the revision of the Gender Recognition Act to include all members of the trans community.
“More broadly increased positive visibility is what we need, that is what changes people’s views. Legislation is important but we need to show that as trans people, we are part of Irish society, we are your siblings, your co-workers, your friends, we are your family. We are one element, one aspect of human diversity.”
Pride festivals are a celebration of history, community and acceptance said Broden, who also believes it is the perfect platform to educate society on the LGBTI community, “A lot of people at Pride come from within the community, but you also get a lot of friends, families and allies coming as well, so it is the perfect platform to be talking about these issues and the diversity of the LGBTI community.”
“Being trans is part of the human condition, we should be able to accept that and celebrate it like we do all diversities. Positive visibility is a big part; supporting people in being able to live true to who they are.”
I was honoured that Broden said yes when I asked him to be the Grand Marshall for this years Limerick Pride. There is a need for LGBTI Pride festivals, as long as others in the global LGBTI community are not as fortunate as us in Ireland in terms of equal human rights. We must take a stand for human rights for all. That’s why our theme this year is #UnitedColoursofLimerick. We want Pride to be an inclusive, open and integrated event welcoming all people regardless of their sexual or gender orientation, religion or race. This year we aimed to put the T back into LGBTI, with a focus specifically on advancing the rights and equality of trans people and their families and we succeeded admirably. It was thrilled to be able to see transgendered people walking through the streets of Limerick with the people of Limerick put on the streets waving them on with love.
Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 pictured at The main Climax Party at Dolan’s Warehouse, will feature Queens of Limerick, Madonna Lucia and Sheila Fitzpatrick taking to the stage with local acts and with the Dublin queens of Dragged Up. Picture: Edmund McCarthy/ilovelimerick
The Limerick Pride LGBTI Festival 2016 took place starting on Monday July 11 until Sunday July 17 with the Parade on Saturday July 16 and featured a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone.
Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 – Limerick Youth Service will host Limerick’s first Pride Youth Party at LYS’s Lava Javas Youth Cafe, 5 Lower Glentworth St on Friday, July 15.
A Day in May photograph exhibition was launched in The Belltable, 69 O’Connell Street on Monday, July 11 to coincide with Limerick LGBTI Pride.
Limerick Pride’s official Launch night was on Monday July 11 and finished off in Strokers Gay Bar on William Street with champagne, finger food and dance floor musical treats. Strokers are opening 7 nights during Pride to offer something different on every night of Pride.
On Tuesday July 12 from 1pm to 4pm, Strokers Gay Bar hosted a Trans Workshop. Whether you’re interested in learning to put on make up, pick out high heels or how to create a realistic beard, this was a very special event. Experts were there to show all who attended the skills you need to present in your gender.
On Wednesday July 13, the Pride Wedding Show, a wedding fair established in 2014 as part of Limerick Pride Festival, took place from 6pm to 8pm, venue TBD. Sharon McMeel, an award winning wedding planner, said about the fair: “We’ll have different suppliers and vendors there, so all couples regardless of their sexual orientation will have a good opportunity to get answers to their important questions if they are considering getting married. With the historic ‘Yes’ vote last year for the marriage referendum, it’s great to be able to look out for all the people who have gotten newly engaged.”
Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 – A huge thanks to Shannon Conference and Sports Bureau, Limerick City & County Council and to Fran O’Donell of Futureama Productions for sponsoring this year’s Limerick Pride flags on the Shannon Bridge. Pictured here the flags flying proudly with the Limerick 2020 flags. Picture: Sarah Hayes/ilovelimerick
Wednesday after the Pride Wedding Show, Cobblestone Joes was home to the Limerick Pride Open Mic night. The inclusive atmosphere of one of Limericks top music venues was the perfect fit for the #UnitedColoursofLimerick theme with all singers and musicians welcome for this fantastic music celebration.
On Thursday July 14, Mezz Ladies Night at the Red Hen saw the comeback of the hottest night for girls who like girls with a prosecco reception, DJ and late bar with free admission.
On Friday, July 15 the now traditional event ‘T’was the night before Pride’ took place at Mickey Martins from 9pm-11.30pm. Running since 2008, Mickey Martins returned for another year to host the pre-pride party with guest DJ Aoife Nic Canna. Afterwards it was off to Club Milk’s 3rd Birthday Bash with DJ Gary G.
The annual Limerick LGBTI Pride parade began on Saturday July 16, and brought some extra colour and music to Limerick City Centre, gathering at City Hall at 1.30pm, the Parade made its way at 2.30pm sharp up O’Connell Street, across Mallow Street to Henry Street, past Arthurs Quay Park and returned to the Hunt Museum for PrideFest 2016.
PrideFest 2016 was a showcase of local LGBT culture in Limerick in a lavish marquee in the museum gardens with host Paul Ryder, with special guests Hands in Harmony Deaf Community Choir and back by popular demand Patrick James, Voice of Ireland 2015 winner. Limerick legend, actor, director and playwright, Myles Breen held his annual tea dance, which for many is a highlight of the festival.
That night after Pridefest, the main Climax Party at Dolan’s Warehouse, featured Queens of Limerick, Madonna Lucia and Sheila Fitzpatrick taking to the stage with local acts and with the Dublin queens of “Dragged Up” including Gala award entertainer of the year Victoria Secret, Paul Ryder, Regina George and Pixie, followed by DJ Ruth on the main floor, a “Saved by the 90s” party upstairs and Madonna Lucia hosting her monthly party at Confessions with DJ Bugsy. Three rooms packed with colour, vibrancy and music for all.
On Sunday, June 17, a Prideful Recovery Event was held at GOSHH, 18 Davis Street from 1pm – 5pm with holistic therapies including Reiki, Tarot and angel card readings.
A full line-up for Pride week can be found at www.LimerickPride.ie with updates at www.facebook.com/limerickpride. Tag your photos and comments about this years Pride with #UnitedColoursofLimerick.
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To check out all the updates on Limerick LGBTI Pride Festival 2016 click here.
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