Nostalgic day full of old-style games in Abington
Marty Mannering, of GoEco based in Cappamore
PLENTY of pints of the black stuff will be sunk in Powers pub in Abington on Sunday at an event full of old fashioned games.
And the organiser, Marty Mannering of GoEco, is also in talks with Guinness to manufacture a bike for them that could be sold all over the world.
“One thing the recession has done is bring back old traditions that are fun and most importantly free of charge. And that’s what is happening in Abington on Sunday,” said Mr Mannering, who is well known for making and promoting high nelly bikes all over Europe, through his Cappamore company.
“Over the years with the high nelly we’ve helped everybody else in the country get events off the ground. We’re doing our own this time in County Limerick and clubs are coming to us,” he says.
A high nelly cycle with the riders decked out in Victorian costume will take place from Powers to Glenstal.
But this is just one part of the fun that is focused firmly on the past.
“We built our own ring board. Every reader over 60 will say ‘Gosh ringboards, I haven’t seen one of them for years’. The board goes on the wall and you throw rubber rings at it.
“It’s a game that everybody had on the back of the kitchen door in years gone bye,” said Mr Mannering.
There were ring board All-Ireland championships and after doing some research they found that the last ring board event to take place in Powers happened 40 years ago.
A skittles tournament will take place as well with a trophy for the winner and bowls of Irish stew will be dished out. Set dancers will entertain the crowds. The fun and games begin at 1pm and all are welcome.
One bike has been especially made for the day, an 1879 track bike, which is the only one in existence in Ireland and predates racing bicycles. A rusty old high nelly frame rescued from a ditch was used to make it. GoEco are in talks with Guinness Ireland, who have expressed interest in such an historical machine for merchandising.
“Guinness was invented in the 1700s and it’s an 1879 racing bike. We’re suggesting making 200 special branded Guinness bikes and selling them all over the world.”
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Weather for Limerick
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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