By Bonso
November 15 2011

Regular ComeOnYouSaints.com contributor, Bonso, reflects on a weekend away in the Emerald Isle...

MUNSTER - A TRAVELOGUE

The last two trips to Limerick set the bar very high for the Saints European traveller. The friendliness of the good folk of Munster, the vibe of the city and Thomond Park, and the simple observation that it's a pretty nice place, all add up. However could it be as good this time?

Well it wasn't bad even our 05.15 departure from Northampton was ok because we were after all on an adventure, it's not like getting up for work is it? A good flight to Dublin and we were at Heuston Station trying to figure out the counter intuitive way of Irish Railways. It was at this point we got a helping hand from the IRB in the form of Pat Whelan, former manager of Ireland and Irelands present representative on the IRB board, who very kindly booked us tickets on his laptop after seeing our GBG shirts and hearing us at the ticket office. Many thanks Pat. Guinness was then taken and we boarded our Train and had a very pleasant journey.

Then came booking in at Perry's Hotel (The hottest, most humid pub in Christendom), they had lost our booking which was further compounded when they found it was miss-filed with a cancelled booking belong to a friend of ours from Northampton. No point in hovering while the receptionist was trying to sort it out so we did what many do when the going gets tough. We went shopping for a bit. Shopping successful and another awfully nice experience in the jewellers who remembered us from last time we returned to find that that we were not out on the streets for the weekend.

That evening we had a superb meal at Dolans, watched Connacht and borrowed yet more beer. People were pretty tired at that point so back to hotel to make sure we were on top form for tomorrow's festivities.

Saturday morning we all spent amusing ourselves before reconvening at Clohessy's  to watch that day's games. It proved to be a good choice as the Saintly contingent grew steadily up to the time we had to start our walk up to Thomond. The banter and chat was as usual good with the usual drive by “Gwan Munster” and horn beeping.

Up at Thomond it was as warm and friendly as normal apart from the odd few, which, frankly, every ground has. My favourite Terrace moment was one voice telling Ashton to go back to New Zealand where he was born. Nuff said. The match itself was exciting but left me frustrated to say the least; but I'm sure enough has been said on that matter.

Afterwards the majority of Munster fans I met (more than a few) were very gracious in victory. A quick Supermacs, and then on to Tom and Jerry's for a bit of a late night, some singing, more handshakes, and tall tales.

The next day was a little more subdued with a walk to the Castle and beer and food at Clohessy's. It is perhaps pertinent here to talk about the effect of the recession on Limerick. On that walk I noticed that in comparison with my last visit many businesses were boarded up and pubs gone. Also the City appeared quieter as well compared to last time. In the evening we went to Flannery's on Shannon St and had a superb time listening to the music and of course drinking and talking. The late evening led us back to Tom and Jerry's for more banter.

In the morning the 10.00 train took us back to Dublin and our party split up to explore before we reconvened in The Olive, St John Gogarty's on Fleet St to absorb some more music, food and for the comparing of Leprechaun memorabilia.

Another good flight back to Birmingham with, I am reliably informed, the Irish Gardener  Diarmud Gavin sitting in  front of us, and we are back in Blighty exhausted but having had a thoroughly good time.

News: Munster - A Travelogue...

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 15/11/2011 23:36

ComeOnYouSaints.com
15/11/2011 23:36

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ballagher
16/11/2011 00:43

Thomas Cook's Temperance Society holidays live on with Bonso and co.

Good travelogue Bonso - thanks.

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desbralass
16/11/2011 07:20

Another good read,Cheers.

Bridesmaids no more.

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Paul Flatt
16/11/2011 09:07

It's clever how the rugby (televised or live) seems to punctuate the main activity of elbow & shoulder loosening!

"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."

-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.

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Catchyerselfon2
16/11/2011 14:19

You'd be right about Limerick feeling the recession and the pubs and shops closing - Go further up to Mayo and the effects are even more obvious in places like Castlebar, Ballina and Westport as all the young folk are all heading away to Australia and America to get work for a couple of years - usually staying for longer than that in previous times

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Saint Tim
16/11/2011 14:40

First visit to Limerick for me and I was surprised there were not more signs of the recession. The biggest sign of the recession was that the young girls cannot afford much in the way of material for their dresses. I suppose it is all going on Fake ID's to get them in the clubs!



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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