Relationship between UL and Limerick City

Amazotheamazing

One thing I've noticed about the differences in Limerick and other cities in Ireland, especially the similarly sized Galway is how low the profile of UL is around the city, the students don't seem to mix into the city aswell or be as visible in the city as they would be in Galway.

Is it just that the city is too far from the college or does the city centre simply hold no attractions for the student population? What ways could the city promote better integration with the college? Or should the status quo prevail?

Limerick as a "university town" is obviously a far more recent development than Galway, Cork or Dublin, which have had colleges for over 150 years. Is it that it simply takes time for a collegiate atmosphere to build or will the University and the City always be effectively separate areas?

Imo, it is a huge loss to the city that 15,000 young people aren't really interacting with the fairly moribund city centre.

cson

I've been down here almost 4 months now and I can count on one hand how many times I've been into the city. It holds absolutely no attraction to me tbh, too far from UL to make the journey viable. That and the fact that the Buses are the most unreliable buses I've ever come across. Supposed to come every 15 mins, I've had to wait 1.5 hrs for one to come on 2 seperate occaisions lately. And they always seem to follow each other - Bus Eireann pulls in and then 30 secs later the Euro bus or another Bus Eireann one pulls in. It annoys the ****e outta me :mad:

I much rather shopping in Galway too tbh, easy to get around. The bother of going out to the Crescent....:rolleyes:

bluedolphin

I'm actually from Limerick, but even still as a student in UL I actually very rarely venture into town either during the day or socialising bar when it's when I'm with my 'Limerick' friends (as opposed to my college buddies).

Basically, at the risk of oversimplifying the answer, students have pretty much everything they need in Castletroy: it's a micro-world of its own. The Parkway and the new retail centre as well as the Castletroy SC provide shopping; there's the cinema for alternative entertainment; and then there's the Stables, and now Java's also, as well as the Hurlers and, of course, the Lodge.

Most students drink at home anyway so wouldn't be enticed by pubs, and then the cost/hassle of getting a taxi into town, paying increased cover charges and then a taxi home again is a deterrent when the Lodge is free before 11:30 most nights and can be accessed on foot by many students or by a short cab ride (i.e. cheaper).

Students aren't attracted to the city centre because for quite a few Limerick is their home for 5 days a week: Sunday night until Friday afternoon and the Castletroy area can provide for that.

On the otherhand, MIC and LIT students are much more numbered in the city due to the fact that this is where their nearest services and facilities are located.

Personally, I think it's a shame for someone to spend four years in college at UL and not really consider anything beyond Castletroy as Limerick. There is a distinct boundary drawn between the city and UL and there seems to be no moves towards integration - on either parts.

You know when a UL student hasn't been beyond Castletroy when he considers the best chips in Limerick to be from Rios! Donkey Fords all the way...LIKE!

Brendygg

bluedolphin wrote: »

You know when a UL student hasn't been beyond Castletroy when he considers the best chips in Limerick to be from Rios! Donkey Fords all the way...LIKE!

Very true! Ha, although Cafe Lazio near the cornmarket do unreal chips also!

PeakOutput

i think you will find a lot of students go every tuesday and thursday night into the town but as for during the day?

unles i want a litre of vodka for 20euro in tesco i dont bother and even then i usually send someone else in

rmacm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

One thing I've noticed about the differences in Limerick and other cities in Ireland, especially the similarly sized Galway is how low the profile of UL is around the city.

Is it just that the city is too far from the college.

Imo, it is a huge loss to the city that 15,000 young people aren't really interacting with the fairly moribund city centre.

UCG and UCC are closer to their respective city centres than UL as far as I know. The distance from town tends to be a part of it. It probably is somewhat of a loss to the city that more UL students don't venture in their very often.

cson wrote: »

That and the fact that the Buses are the most unreliable buses I've ever come across. Supposed to come every 15 mins, I've had to wait 1.5 hrs for one to come on 2 seperate occaisions lately. And they always seem to follow each other - Bus Eireann pulls in and then 30 secs later the Euro bus or another Bus Eireann one pulls in. It annoys the ****e outta me :mad:

Try any city in the country for this, the No. 11 buses here in Dublin have a tendency to arrive at a stop 2 or 3 at a time in my experience. I've actually stopped taking the bus up here for the most part unless it turns out to be slightly more convenient than the Luas/Dart which I have reasonably easy access to.

bluedolphin wrote: »

Basically, at the risk of oversimplifying the answer, students have pretty much everything they need in Castletroy: it's a micro-world of its own. The Parkway and the new retail centre as well as the Castletroy SC provide shopping; there's the cinema for alternative entertainment; and then there's the Stables, and now Java's also, as well as the Hurlers and, of course, the Lodge.

Personally, I think it's a shame for someone to spend four years in college at UL and not really consider anything beyond Castletroy as Limerick. There is a distinct boundary drawn between the city and UL and there seems to be no moves towards integration - on either parts.

You know when a UL student hasn't been beyond Castletroy when he considers the best chips in Limerick to be from Rios! Donkey Fords all the way...LIKE!

Agreed on all 3 paragraphs I've quoted. You could live in Castletroy without needing to ever venture past the Parkway. Although it is a shame there are nice places in town for drinking and aside from that particular activity there are plenty of things to do/see in the city. Donkey Fords ftw aswell

Cheers
Rory

ninty9er

I think a relaible, direct shuttle would be beneficial, but it would have to run until 3-4am. as for daytime I reckon it's got a lot to do with timetabling

cooperguy

Donkey Fords all the way:D

Peteee

I'll wade in and say that I agree whole heartidly with what Rmacm (A first for everything!) and Bluedolphin have to say.

To sum it up, its a pain in the arse to get in and out of there, and you ahve most of what you need close by.

Rineanna

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Imo, it is a huge loss to the city that 15,000 young people aren't really interacting with the fairly moribund city centre.

I think you've answered your question right there; students don't venture into the city centre because it is dead and relatively run down, but the only way the city centre can be livened up is with an increased student presence = vicious circle!!

Other reasons include those that BlueDolphin stated.

bluedolphin wrote:

Donkey Fords all the way...LIKE!

brendygg wrote:

Very true!

cooperguy wrote:

Donkey Fords all the way

OK, It actually pains me to reply to the afore quoted posts, given how highly irrational they are - the three of ye were obviously under the influence of something when ye were writing them......it's obviously Fusco's in Garryowen, LOIKE. Nuff said. Period. Another Nuff said.

Heliosvector

cson wrote: »

That and the fact that the Buses are the most unreliable buses I've ever come across. Supposed to come every 15 mins, I've had to wait 1.5 hrs for one to come on 2 seperate occaisions lately. And they always seem to follow each other - Bus Eireann pulls in and then 30 secs later the Euro bus or another Bus Eireann one pulls in. It annoys the ****e outta me :mad:QUOTE]


iS THIS A REGULAR OCCURENCE? does no one bring this up and try to whip them in gear? I hate tardiness. Esoecially when things are meant to happen at a certain time. That would really!! piss me off :mad:

ninty9er

Heliosvector wrote: »

iS THIS A REGULAR OCCURENCE? does no one bring this up and try to whip them in gear? I hate tardiness. Esoecially when things are meant to happen at a certain time. That would really!! piss me off :mad:

I'm guessing you live in the GDA, wher you have a DART, LUAS and bus lanes....you'r ein for a rude awakening!!

Heliosvector

ninty9er wrote: »

I'm guessing you live in the GDA, wher you have a DART, LUAS and bus lanes....you'r ein for a rude awakening!!

so is limerick transport when i get there then.

ninty9er

Heliosvector wrote: »

so is limerick transport when i get there then.

It's not like people don't complain...hell I even got paid to sit and watch the busses leave town for UL and someone else did the other end....Traffic screwed the whole thing up by noon

Heliosvector

....So you played babysitter on for the buses?

ninty9er

Heliosvector wrote: »

....So you played babysitter on for the buses?

yup