This year, I will... Some familiar Limerick faces share their New Year's resolutions

The good, the predictable and the ambitious... Some familiar Limerick faces share their New Year's resolutions 

Emma Langford Musician

This Caherdavin native is in for a busy year ahead between touring across Europe and researching the history of Limerick women to aid in creating her next big project.

While chatting to Limerick Live, musician Emma described her large ‘to-be-read’ pile of books.

“My resolution is to make a dent in my pile of books that I have yet to read in an effort to make time and allow myself to care as much as I do about this project” admitted Emma.

On a personal note, she admits that being an independent artist makes it tricky to find a routine that works for her.

“Last year (2022) I started weight training twice a week which has made a big difference to my mental health, physical health and general confidence and I would like to build up a routine around that.”

On the subject of past resolutions, she admitted, “I honestly can’t think of anything!

“I’m sure if I went back through my old diaries there’s probably loads of stuff like ‘next year, I’m gonna kiss a boy! Next year I’m going to grow my hair longer!’” she laughed.“I was always a very much ‘living in the present moment kind of kid'.”

Nicole Cronin Irish Rugby player

In an honest statement, the sportswoman said: “We go through these resolutions all the time and I'm not sure any of us ever stick to them to be honest, but mine is probably just to be a better person to be honest,” she told Limerick Live.

“Not that I’m a bad person by the way”, she laughed. Just ahead of the new year, the scrum-half agreed that she will have a rigorous training routine starting very soon.

“There’ll be a lot of training to try and retain the trophy from last year” she said. “You’re probably looking at five days out of the seven when it’s all up and running”.

Nicole remembered back to her younger years and thought of a very interesting resolution that she used to have: “when I was about seven or eight, in the next 12 months I wanted to get to Mars with NASA. I was very unrealistic back then,” she reminisced. “But bear in mind I was a child and I thought these things just happened,” she giggled.

Off the back of a great year with Munster, Nicole is hoping to continue to progress with the team in 2023: “I am extremely looking forward to playing with Munster next year,” she smiled.

Dermot Whelan Today FM Presenter

Before he brings his next stress-busting show ‘Mind Full’ to UCH in February, the meditation teacher got down to chatting all things 2023.

“My resolution is to get to Limerick more,” answered Dermot. “Obviously I used to live there but since we sold the family home I don’t have a base there anymore,” he admitted.

“I absolutely adore going to Thomond Park,” he said. “I went mountain biking in the Ballyhouras the last time I was in Limerick and managed to not fall off and break my neck so I really want to go back and do it again,” he laughed.

“I want to go to the Milk Market because it certainly wasn’t the same when I was growing up there, I think it literally sold milk,” he chuckled. “Now it’s so class,” he added. There’s some really cool vendors there and it's a lovely place to hang out.”

The radio host then described a very interesting resolution he had a couple of years ago. “It was to learn to skateboard - and I actually did,” he revealed.

“It’s mildly embarrassing, particularly for my children, that a man in his 40s wants to take up skateboarding for the first time but I really got into it at the beginning of lockdown and now I’m actually pretty handy at it,” he shared.

Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin Podcast Presenter/Radio Host

HAILING from Annacotty, Seán has been the presenter of podcast ‘Gaeilge Anois’ for two years now, and after recently being given a slot with Raidió Rí-Rá, he has definitely got some big plans for the next year.

“I’m looking towards finishing up my Masters in NUIG and looking towards the next stage in my career,” he started. “I have some big plans for the podcast though, it’s going really well and I have some plans for the new year in terms of big guests and the radio show on Rí-Rá is going from strength to strength so to focus on that would be good.”

As far as resolutions go, the Gaelgeoir admitted that he is not going to try to take on too many. “I get caught in the trap of telling myself I am going to go to the gym and get super fit, or run a half marathon by May and then I never do because I put too much pressure on myself. My actual resolution is to take some time to enjoy the process of what I am doing, spread a bit of positivity and some love, both inwards and outwards”, he added.

While his modern take on resolutions screams maturity, his not-so-younger self had other ideas: “I am absolutely exposing myself now,” he jokingly began. “Last January I promised myself I’d learn trad guitar. I barely picked up the guitar all year," he laughed.

Cian Sheehan, Limerick County Footballer

THE LIMERICK star admitted that his resolution is to “try and be better and improve my routines”.

Asked to expand, he added: “I’m going to try and get back on the bandwagon for reading. I used to be very good for it but have gotten very lazy in the last six months.”

After reaching Division 2 with his club Newcastle West, the spring cannot come soon enough. “I’m looking forward to it, it’s a new, big and exciting challenge.”

The sportsman told Limerick Live that one of his resolutions as a child was to learn how to handstand and juggle. “I looked at a few videos from Adrian O’Brien, saw him doing it and I thought, ‘jeez I wouldn’t mind being able to do that’,” he chuckled.

On whether he had some prior gymnastics training to aid in this agile resolution he answered: “I wouldn’t have been able for that, I would have hurt myself trying to do something that mad!,” he laughed.

Cllr Elisa O'Donovan - Social Democrats

INDULGING in fine foods over the holidays is something we all do, and like the rest of us, the councillor has big fitness plans for the new year: "I am totally obsessed with the croissants from Angel Dust Patisserie on Thomas Street (in the city centre), they are pure butter so I really want to go back to competing in triathlons. So from January 1, my focus will be on gym sessions, running and no more croissants!”

The speech and language therapist says she is aiming to live up to her resolution for 2023 and pull out all the stops for the next Great Limerick Run. “I always said that I would do my first marathon in Limerick when I turn 40, so I am really hoping to do that in May,” she admitted.

Elisa recounts a past resolution that didn’t go as planned: “In January 2020, me and one of my best friends made vision boards for the year ahead which involved a lot of travel and adventure planning,” she began. “We went into a lockdown two months later so I am now banned from doing vision boards with my friends!”

With her councillor hat on, Elisa cannot wait for the new year to begin as she has some big plans: “I really am looking forward to the O’Connell Street revitalisation works being done this year, I am also hoping to bring back Swimmable Limerick social swims to Riverfest.”

Happy New Year to all our readers, contributors and advertisers!