'Vivid' stories mark 50th anniversary of University of Limerick

A “VIVID and diverse” anthology written by an array of familiar faces has been launched to mark the 50th anniversary of University of Limerick.

Devised and lead-edited by international bestselling author and Professor of Creative Writing at UL, Joseph O’Connor, the collection of essays celebrating the 50th anniversary of UL’s foundation was launched this Wednesday, March 22 at Plassey House.

Titled ‘DREAMS – 50 years of creativity, culture and community at University of Limerick’, the collection was co-edited by Poet and Professor of Cultural Sociology, Eoin Devereux and Author and Professor of Teaching, Learning and Creative Practice at UL, Sarah Moore.

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The book features fifty contributions from or about people associated with UL, including President Michael D Higgins, Noel Hogan of The Cranberries, Bill Whelan, Irish rugby legend Paul O’Connell, award-winning author Donal Ryan, as well as rapper Denise Chaila.

Speaking of the collection of stories, Limerick poet and co-editor, Eoin Devereux, said it includes a range of voices. “From the Pink Ladies in the Plaza Café to gardening staff to men and women who have worked to make the place that UL is, there's such a diversity of voices and also a very strong emphasis on creativity in all its senses.”

Denise Chaila, Eoin Devereux, Joseph O'Connor and Sarah Moore at the book launch

According to Eoin, that’s what makes the book – and its title. “If you think about the title of Dreams, the idea is that Limerick and activists, dreamt of having our own university here. And that has come to fruition, and it’s wonderful to hear the voices of students, of people who work here,” he explains.

Lead-editor and author, Joseph O’Connor said: “Devising, lead-editing and project-managing the DREAMS book has been one of the highlights of my time at UL so far. I feel very honoured and blessed to have been asked. What my co-editors and contributors have made together is, I hope, a vivid and diverse picture of the whole UL community.”

Speaking at the launch of Dreams, UL President, Kerstin Mey, stated: "The composite picture of University of Limerick presented by the book is a moving tapestry of the amazingly vibrant people of our community. There is a richness of stories and a sense of belonging to UL within the pages of DREAMS that is truly humbling."

From poetry to personal memoirs to tweets from the infamous UL Confessions page, the collection features a wide variety of writing, as well as essays from students and images of the institution and its people.

Published by Irish Academic Press, the book is now available online and in bookshops.