MeghannMix: It's Ice Ice Baby in Kilmeedy

THE community of Kilmeedy is one of welcome, warmth and an ice bucket challenge!

On April 16 the challenge will take place at the Full Moon Rising music festival site. Locals and people from further afield will get into a bath of ice for two minutes in the hopes of raising money for the development of a 7 acre site in the locality.

“We're a small community but we have a lot of people in the hinterland and people who've moved away who are supporting us. And of course we have a lot of followers from last year's Full Moon Rising event, we have a fairly wide reach for such a small village,” committee member Siobhan Reidy said.

This rural village is always thinking of innovative ways to fundraise and create a space for locals including Roots café and this event will add to the essence and spirit of Kilmeedy.

“We're bringing 54 bathers who've been raising money for the event. And on the day we just hope to bring their friends, family, then themselves here. As Fiona has mentioned, we're going to do the breathing and everyone's going to get into the ice bath for two minutes. Hopefully aim for two minutes and have fun,” Mari Geary told the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live.

While out meeting with the committee I decided to take part in the challenge itself. We kicked off with a Wim Hof style breathing exercise in the Shebeen with Fiona Noonan Taylor explaining how vital breath is.

“Breathing is very important and breathing is very powerful. So what it basically does is by taking in some really big, deep breaths, we're going to improve or increase the oxygen in the body. What that does is it actually alters the pH of your body.

So you're actually kind of tampering with your own body's chemistry but in a very positive way.

“And what this does is it primes you for the cold water. So when we leave and it's only maybe 10 or 15 minutes of breathing, when you leave the breathing, you are going to be absolutely ready to get into the cold,” she added.

When in the ice bath, the breathing technique changes to long slow breaths and as you slow down, your body almost adjusts to the cold water and it becomes relaxing.

I found the first 30 seconds to be hard but with Fiona’s guidance and practicing the breathing exercises, I settled and loved it. The two minutes flew by and afterwards we did a Haka style dance to keep the body moving and heat up after the ice bath.

If you want to support KIlmeedy you can donate here.

Super Bowl superstar comes to Limerick

LAST week in Limerick was so busy as some major sports stars visited the Treaty County.

Three time Super Bowl Champion, Lonie Paxton, was in Engine Limerick for the One-Zero SportsTech conference. On the day sports industry professionals delivered insights into the industry while 5 startup entrepreneurs from across Ireland and the UK pitched their ideas to multiple investors.

The NFL star chatted to me ahead of the event and while he said he hasn’t had a chance to watch a game of hurling, he explained the fundamentals of being part of a team.

“'I’m familiar with rugby, obviously soccer but some of these very localised sports, Gaelic football and hurling are all new. But it's all sport, it's so important, how you're raised and how you work after sport is done, any of these sports are a good foundation to start with,” he said.

When I told him about the Limerick hurlers success and being the team to beat again this year, he added: “That's what I hear. So I'm rooting for you”.

Super Bowl superstar comes to Limerick

While he has had a glittering career and played alongside NFL favourite, Tom Brady, he recalled one of his most memorable moments on the pitch.

“Although it wasn't a play because of my position, you can really only mess it up. You can do it a good a thousand times, but that one time you mess it up, you get highlighted. So I always try to stay under the radar, but the one play that people remember me for is a snow angel I made in the snow and then again in the Super Bowl I did it in the turf and the confetti,” he explained.

Donning the Super Bowl ring, Lonie holds no airs or graces, he’s a down - to - earth sound lad who hopes to return to Limerick again some day to experience all that this city has to offer.