My Limerick - Pat Lysaght: ‘I love the river and any place where there is water’

What’s your ideal weekend in Limerick?

The perfect weekend would be nice weather. Winter can kinda be rough on the river. That’s my thing—the river. The summer is lovely. I bring people out for trips, of course weather-permitting. Then I help swimmers if they need a safety boat with them. Anytime you hear help, I am there to help people. I help cruisers down from Killaloe or beyond. I am interested in the wildlife, I help out animals. Swans, mostly, because they are always in trouble, it seems. 

What’s your first memory of Limerick? 

It was going to school, I think, in the convent. I didn’t like it at all! I was four years of age.

What’s your favourite part of Limerick?

The river, naturally! There are lovely walks down the Plassey bank and the canal, and it is lovely to do that. You could pass away two hours if you were going up to the university or beyond if you wanted to. I love the river, and any place where there is water, you will find me. 

What do you think gives Limerick its unique identity? 

The people are lovely, as you know. You would often have people passing remarks about that. They are great people here. They are easy to get on with, always on for the craic, slagging and all that. They are a good breed. They will look after you, and I find that they are very good here. Well, I get on with everybody. I don’t make enemies. There’s enough of them around. I try to get on with everybody and help everybody if I can. 

Do you have a favourite local restaurant? 

I am not into eating out. My wife, she’s a good cook, so she’s better than the restaurants! And a fish and chip is good enough for me. Or a burger, or any ol’ fast food! I have no favourite restaurant as such. 

Do you think the arts is important in Limerick? 

Oh gosh, yes. They are very popular, and I help an awful lot of artists. I bring them onto the river. They do different projects. Guys and girls from the university, anytime they want to do something on the river, I will help them out. 

What would you bring to Limerick that isn’t here?

It takes years for anything to be done here in Limerick. A better city council, probably, that would move, do something constructive!

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Limerick today? 

There are a lot of challenges. The traffic is one, anyway. There’s all this house building that is going on. Is there room for houses? Where are they going to put all these people who are coming in? They are looking for more builders to build houses, where are they are going to put them?