well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

It seems to me you need Charles Bronson in Limerick City these days! Little anti-social know-nothing bastards who throw fuel on the fire for that scum in Dublin! And that’s what they call responsible journalism eh? 😡

I am sick and tired of people coming up to me on the streets of Paris and Barcelona telling me what a fucking tip and quote “unfriendly shite hole” Limerick City is! 😡 I’m running out of patience trying to defend this scum! I’m NOT talking about the vast majority who are perfectly fine, I’m talking about that lowlife crud who don’t give a toss about nothing but themselves! What the hell is going on over there? They need to get their fucking act together in Limerick!:mad: And they ask why Limerick’s name is MUD!? :confused: 😡

Just today, I had a woman from Munich tell me it was the worst experience she has ever had on vacation in Ireland. Everything was fine…until she arrived in Limerick and Dublin… She was verbally abused, robbed, treated like she had the plague in her HOTEL believe it or not, etc, etc. Don”t need to fill in the blanks for you! 😡

Limerick City’s reputation is NOT deserved…but they do need to BADLY put their house in order!!!:mad: It’s the same story in Dublin – the biggest SHIT HOLE in western Europe!!! Nice going huh? 😮

Yeah, it’s on The Post and The Limerick. The Post says it will be in The Crescent Shopping Centre and they will be extending The Crescent…again. The Limerick Leader on the otherhand says it could be in The Crescent, ParkValley or The Opera Centre.

Yet another Limerick Post article high on speculation and low on hard facts, Ideally M&S would locate in the city centre but there simply isnt suitable space for them at the moment. They have been on the lookout in Limerick for years now and have been linked with countless premises in that time, what finally looked like their ideal opportunity ie. the opera centre, now seems to have stalled with uncertainty over the new owners plans! Although the new mayor Ger Fahy said last week that he was still “extremely confident” it would go ahead!

Meanwhile just down the road from the Crescent, it looks like the end of the road for the Hiway bar, set to be replaced by a rather unique mixed use development of office and retail!:rolleyes:

Development Description: demolition ofthe buildings known as the Hi Way Bar & restaurant, the adjacent dwelling house known as no. 13 and no. 14 and all associated outbuildings and for the construction of a new three storey retail and office building consisting of, on the ground floor, a café bar(with associated basement stores, kitchens and toilets), a pharmacy, an off-licence and 4 no. retail units, on the first floor, 6 no. office units and a medical centre, all constructed over a basement carpark, all with associated roof plant area and all with associated site works, ESB substation, site entrance and connection to the oublic sewers

Development Address: St. Nessans Road, Dooradoyle

@Paris Jack wrote:

You mentioned the Hiway bar here Tuborg, is this the same premises as the Hiway restaurant? I have a vague memory of a certain Hiway restaurant in that area from many years ago. Hummm…:confused:

It is indeed the same premises PJ.

The Unicorn bar refurbished recently and has appeared to have taken most of the patronage in the area.

It seems to me you need Charles Bronson in Limerick City these days! Little anti-social know-nothing bastards who throw fuel on the fire for that scum in Dublin! And that’s what they call responsible journalism eh?

I am sick and tired of people coming up to me on the streets of Paris and Barcelona telling me what a fucking tip and quote “unfriendly shite hole” Limerick City is! I’m running out of patience trying to defend this scum! I’m NOT talking about the vast majority who are perfectly fine, I’m talking about that lowlife crud who don’t give a toss about nothing but themselves! What the hell is going on over there? They need to get their fucking act together in Limerick! And they ask why Limerick’s name is MUD!?

Just today, I had a woman from Munich tell me it was the worst experience she has ever had on vacation in Ireland. Everything was fine…until she arrived in Limerick and Dublin… She was verbally abused, robbed, treated like she had the plague in her HOTEL believe it or not, etc, etc. Don”t need to fill in the blanks for you!

Limerick City’s reputation is NOT deserved…but they do need to BADLY put their house in order!!! It’s the same story in Dublin – the biggest SHIT HOLE in western Europe!!! Nice going huh?

Yeah but i dont think thats just limerick thats just the way ireland has become in general. The best thing to do in ireland is not go out that often and if you do know your surroundings and the ‘type’ of people your surrounded by if that makes sense. Living in limerick i can atestify this is the way to go. I don’t go out in limerick at night for this very reason besides the last time i did i was treated to a guy spewing up his evenings meal after a hearty round of drinking on the street..Emerald isle my ass.

Limerick City Centre Strategy 2007 (Issues Paper)

Progressive Limerick lights fire for yet more change

A BLUEPRINT for the future development of Limerick, aimed at stimulating discussion and eliciting views from interested parties for development projects , has been released by Limerick City Council.

HAVING made dramatic strides over the past decade, those entrusted with responsibility for the management of Limerick city, applauded for what has already been achieved, are conscious that much more needs to be done. They are inviting the public to partake in planning for the future..

The Issues Paper on ‘Limerick City Centre Strategy’ highlights Limerick as a gateway city for which significant and dynamic developments are policies will change the appearance of the city.

Prior to the end of his term of office as mayor, Cllr Joe Leddin, exhorted Limerick people to study the Issues Paper.

“”It is the result of a comprehensive study of the factors affecting the future development of the city and it will light the fire for change and lead to this city being seen as a truly cosmopolitan one.,

“As a city, we must take advantage of our natural heritage, embrace our strengths, guard our culture and at the same time, seize opportunities for growth and prosperity”.

John Field, the council’s director of Planning, clarifies that the Issues Paper is an initial discussion document aimed at introducing a key strategy which will lead to major change in the city.

“The quality of a city centre is determined by the combination of buildings, streets and spaces as well as access to the city for people with disabilities and we’re now seeking the views of stakeholders and members of the public”.

Anyone interested should do so before Friday, July 27- submissions must not be in excess of 10 pages and maps can be attached to the document. Submissions can also be made via email to: plandev@limerickcity.ie or to: John Field, director of Planning and Economic Development, City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick.

Pointing out that the council has already conducted surveys through the City Development Board to gauge public demand and support for various initiatives, Cllr Leddin said that these surveys clearly indicate that key concerns are: easy and quick access to the city centre: a desire to be in the centre: an easily accessible city centre: parking: pedestrian friendly areas and pedestrian only areas: enhanced retail and leisure opportunity in the city centre.

Other priorities include: good access to retailing, recreation, sport and leisure facilities, cultural facilities, quality education, quality urban centres and streetscapes, quality physical environment, good physical planning and absence of crime.

Traffic and parking

A prime objective for the council is to reduce the impact of traffic by removing unnecessary through movement within the city centre and it is backing proposals for a more efficient transport system that will provide mobility in, out and around the city.

“The opening of the tunnel will have a significant impact on the Dock Road, Mulgrave Street and Clare Street, all of which function as key entry points to the city centre and which will require appropriate traffic arrangements on them and to this end, we welcome the views of stakeholders regarding any other enhancements designed to benefit the city centre, which is the largest employment area in the Mid West,” said a spokesperson for City Hall.

It is planned to add another 1,500 off-street parking spaces to the 3,500 that already exist in multi-storey car parks within the city centre. Access to the car parks will be facilitated by orbital routes as well as park and ride facilities.

Confirming that a special tax exemption scheme for new car parks is being considered, the council is calling on interested parties to contribute in the presentation of a strong case to government.

With much of the current programme of pedestrianisation of city centre streets already completed and the remainder of O’Connell Street between William Street and Roches Street yet to be finished, as well as the upgrading of William Street, Thomas Street and Catherine Street, the council is now inviting submissions on streets they would recommend for further pedestrianisation.

With work already commenced on the upgrading of Clancy Strand (to be followed by O’Callaghan Strand), a continuous riverside walk from Shannon Bridge to Thomond Bridge on each side of the river will also be undertaken.

“The river Shannon and the Curragower Falls are the single greatest amenity of the city and will enhance the environment of the river for recreational purposes for both natives and visitors to the city, which is why we are seeking the views of interested parties on ways to further develop riverside amenities,” the council states.

Other complementary policies include: the lighting of buildings and spaces to define the character of the built environment and also to project a welcoming image for the city. The council is proposing a co-ordinated lighting plan for the city centre:

A working group has been established to identify an appropriate iconic structure for Limerick and the council is also planning a central civic space or plaza for the city – the Potato Market/Merchant’s Quay area is being considered. Also being considered is the development of a multifunctional building for a mix of uses.

Following on the successful development of such riverside buildings as Riverpoint, the Clarion and the Hilton, the council feels there is ample scope for further developments along the riverfront.

“Measures will be taken to release strategic blocks of land and with more than 500 city buildings listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, there is active interest from the council in protecting the Georgian architectural heritage,” said Mr Field.

Recently, a seminar on preserving and enhancing the city’s Georgian quarter was organised by the Georgian Society and hosted in City Hall and the council is committed to support proposals “that secure the best viable use for the buildings in a way that is compatible with their listed status”.

Although there is some 500,000 square metres of retail space available in the city, it is unevenly distributed between the city centre and the suburbs.

The City Council considers that there is capacity for at least three new sites for major retail facilities in key locations in the city centre and along the orbital route.

Retail

THE council points out that site assembly for the city centre is a slow process that often has to be assisted by the local authority through compulsory purchase order powers.

“In addition to the total volume of space the provision of specialist retail clusters will be encouraged in the city centre to give a mix of family-run stores and growing brands which will be complemented by the emergence of a “cafe quarter,” stimulated by the pedestrian areas and this will also encourage the emergence of street markets to give added life and atmosphere to the city experience”.

Expressions of interest in the development and management of such inner city commercial projects will be welcomed by the council.

Given the city’s reputation as “the capital of sport”, this is being exploited as part of the city’s promotion of lifestyle activities.

“We want to ensure that active sports are developed in a cohesive way in the city and we’re proposing to review the impact on the city centre of the implementation of the Sports

The full paper can be viewed here: http://www.limerickcity.ie/Publications/Thefile,5168,en.doc

I wouldnt go as far as to say “it will be as bad as it ever is” Phase 2 of the south ring will definately have a significant impact on the Dock road. You must remember that a substantial amount of traffic heading for Shannon airport or Galway on the N20 turn off at the Raheen interchange, turn left at the raheen r/bout and use the Dock road to avoid the city centre. Factor in the traffic from north Kerry and west Limerick on the N69 and you get an idea of the amount of unneccesary traffic currently clogging up the Dock Road. No doubt it will still be a very busy road but nowhere near the nightmare it is now.

Incidently construction work is stepping up at the site of the Dock road interchange, work on the overbridge means the road will be closed for the next 3 nights! http://www.limerickcity.ie/OurServices/Transportation/RoadsEvents/Name,5518,en.html

N69 Dock Road Interchange

The N69 Dock Road grade-separated junction will be located on the line of the existing N69 between the Irish Cement plant and the Wastewater Treatment plant. This junction will consist of two roundabouts, one at either side of the mainline and a single bridge between the two roundabouts. The interchange will allow entry to and exit from the mainline. This full movement junction shall be grade-separated with the mainline passing over the N69.
The Bunlicky lake causeway will be constructed to a level of 7m above water level, with water depths generally in excess of 5m.

Its actually not supposed to be completed until September 2007 although it could easily finish up a few months earlier. Its almost a year now since the project started and things seem to be motoring on fairly well, all elements of the scheme are underway! At the Rossbrien interchange the embankments are at a fairly advanced stage and works on the overbridge are picking up pace. Piling works have started on the St Nessans road & rail bridge and further north the Ballykeefe bridge is due to open later this month, the beams for this bridge are the longest ever used in Ireland.

The Bunlicky lake causeway is apparently well ahead of schedule, at the moment its reached the level of 1 metre above the water, the final height is 2 metres above the water. As for the tunnel itself, the construction of the 5 elements has been going on since last August and the casting of the 1st section is underway now I think!

@Paris Jack wrote:

Thank you Irishjon25! 🙂 Can’t believe the Unicorn bar is still there… That sure takes me back…:D

This is The Unicorn today.

Minus the pool table 🙁

Bout time. The center of limerick city is a bit of a dump all right and its true that a lot of businesses have located to the outskirts ie castletroy, raheen etc.

Hopefully they will develop the center of the city and i like the idea of a concert arena that sounds cool having dolans warehouse as the only place bands come to play in limerick is not good enough imo.

Also demolishing cruises street would be a very good idea i never liked cruises street, its too small and does nothing for limerick. A central business district also good idea as there really is none in limerick is there, the center of limerick is just a mix of retail, hotels and a few banks.

Sounds like solid plans.