From: mbrennan@swift.cs.tcd.ie (Micheal O'Braonain)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.celtic
Subject: Re: student exchange with Ireland/Univ of Limerick
Date: 7 Apr 92 16:58:53 GMT
Organization: Computer Science Department, Trinity College Dublin

I don't really want to become involved in a slagging match about Limerick
city and/or the University of Limerick.  I have no particular axe to 
grind.  

Initially I felt obliged to counter some of the misleading information
about the availability of accomodation in proximity to the University.
I stand over my claims that (A) there is insufficient self-catering 
accomodation in the general Castletroy/Monaleen area to meet the demand;
(B) much of the housing stock is poorly furnished, equipped and maintained,
and (C) that there is a higher degree of animosity and resentment towards
students there than in any other university town/city in Ireland.  I
acknowledge that other universities have similar housing problems, and
I offered my contribution so that an innocent American would not come 
here expecting to find a decent cheap place just outside college gates -
that simply is not the case.

>I am currently living in California and without a doubt the public transport
>system in Ireland/Limerick is far,far superior to the system here.(Because

I think you have made the mistake of assuming that if it is better than
what exists in california, then it is good.  Try convincing yourself it
is good when you see 2 full busses pass you at the bus stop, or when you 
are waiting in the rain at the terminus for the bus that should have been
here 20 minutes ago.  Again I am not *blaming* limerick or its bus system,
but please don't sing its praises.

[stuff about Limerick being a high-crime city, deleted]
>No offence Micheal but that is absolute rubbish.It is typical of the view from
>Dublin.I have lived in Dublin,Limerick and California.Of the three Limerick is
>by far the safest.The image of Limerick generated by the Dublin media is 
>totally inaccurate and unfair.

The 'Dublin media' report the facts as they exist.  Statistically the level
of some types of violent crime per capita in Limerick is higher even than 
Dublin.  Limerick residents consistently refuse to accept this simple fact, 
and blame Limerick's poor image on the media.  Limerick's poor image is due 
to the actions of Limerick's residents.  In the Irish context - and indeed
sociologically also - it is more correct to compare Limerick crime levels 
to those of other rural towns and cities rather than than to those of Dublin.
When you do this, its crime record makes even more depressing reading. 

Obviously I cannot argue with your own experience of living in Limerick
other than to say that my experience, and that of my aquaintences, over a 
four year period would differ wildly from yours.  Just because I am currently 
living in Dublin, please do not assume that it has been my only place of 
residence, or that I have only been exposed to the 'Dublin media'.  I have
also lived in Sligo, Limerick, Cork and California.

>>Unless Limerick has undergone a metamorphosis of unspeakable proportions...
>It has. Over the last 5 years or so the city has improved dramatically.

The city centre has indeed improved dramatically.  There has been much new
development necessitated by the alarming tendancy of buildings in the
city centre to collapse overnight.  


It might be helpful to spell out the facilities which the city has to 
offer to a student in terms of musical, theatrical, artistic and cultural 
activities.  As far as I know it has 1 theatre which manages a night time
show for fewer than 100 nights per year.  It doesnt have a professional
drama company.  The Limerick Music Association - one of the most active in 
the country - are taking refuge in an accoustically unsatisfactory lecture
hall in the university.  Hardly a fitting tribute to the outstanding
international artists it attracts.  The Savoy complex which was the only 
venue for large gigs was knocked down.  It has not been replaced.  For many
years the city struggled to maintain 2 cinemas, one of which was rat infested 
- I can personally vouch for that!!

Perhaps someone can objectively spell out the positive aspects, features
and facilities of the city.  I am especially interested in the facilities
afforded to the students of the city's third level colleges i.e. 
University of Limerick, Thomond College of Education, Mary Immaculate
teacher training college, National college of Art and Design and Limerick
Regional Technical College.  Thats a hell of a lot of extra young people.  
What do they do in the evenings and at weekends?
-- 
 ,   ,  ,      ,              ,       ,          ,          ,  ,      ,
Micheal O Braonain     Roinn Riomheolaiochta, Colaiste Na Trionoide, BAC 2.
Email                  mbrennan@cs.tcd.ie
"Indecision is not an ignoble condition" - Brian Friel.