My Limerick - Nessa McGann: ‘Home is where the heart is’

What’s your idea of a perfect weekend in Limerick?

Breakfast in the Milk Market with my three kids and husband. Green Saffron is a favourite of ours - curry is perfectly acceptable for breakfast! A stroll around town, do some clothes shopping, head out to my parents house near Murroe for lunch and a catch up, and then into the Cornstore for dinner. 

The Commercial for pints ‘til late and then fling myself into the Bedford Town House to sleep until late. My husband is with me but I’ve probably left the kids at my parents!

What’s your first Limerick memory?

Driving home from my granny’s in Mungret on Sunday nights after family get-togethers. Driving on that narrow road and under Sarsfield Bridge – my father told me a witch lived under there and I was always petrified! That and playing with my younger brother in my grandad’s house in an eerily quiet Kileely while my parents and my older brother went to see the Pope!

What’s your favourite part of the county and why?

Oh definitely my childhood home – Barrington’s Bridge on the road to Murroe. Home is where the heart is and we had a great childhood with brilliant neighbours who are still friends and total freedom to roam the fields and swim in the river.

What about a favourite local walk or view?

Great friends of mine recently dragged me out of bed on the day after the Munster Leinster game at Christmas to walk the three bridges. I complained vociferously but they railroaded me and I ended up grudgingly enjoying it. We went down Clancy Strand, crossed over the Shannon Bridge, down the boardwalk, patted Terry Wogan on the head, walked over Sarsfield Bridge and then through the medieval quarter and back home over Thomond Bridge. It’s actually a great walk and shows off the city to tourists and natives alike. We may have stopped in at The Locke for a cure which also helped.

What do you think gives Limerick its unique identity?

It has to be the people. I think the classless interest in rugby is pretty special and I also think hopping the ball should be made a national pastime.

Do you have a favourite local restaurant?

I loved Sage and still miss it for lunches and quick stops in town. The Mustard Seed is pretty amazing but to be honest, I think Donkey Ford’s is still my number one culinary destination!

How would you describe the people of Limerick?

Carefully – they can get very touchy!

How important do you think sport is to Limerick?

Ah it’s massive really. Rugby, GAA, athletics, rowing, swimming – the city can facilitate whatever sport you are into. It’s great to see more walking and cycling paths opening up across the county and in SPIN we are really getting behind the 20x20 campaign as we know that it’s so important that female sports stars get recognition, that games are well attended and that women and girls are encouraged to take up and enjoy their chosen sport at an amateur and competitive level.

What’s the biggest challenge facing the city/county today?

I think people across Limerick need to work together to enhance our social, cultural and economic situations – sometimes it feels that there are a lot of factions in the city. We really need to work together without worrying about our own patch to the detriment of the bigger picture.

Reputationally the city is in such a better place than it was 20 years ago, we have exciting plans for 2030 and beyond and I really think that the push to get people living back in the city centre would add hugely to the atmosphere of our iconic city.