Project for 1980s news archives

Paulegend

Hey guys im trying to dig up some local news about limerick back in the 80s. you know stuff on crime or local events or what not.

i can find loads about events and good happy things but nothing morbid what so ever on the net about limerick. thats of course unless i pay some newspaper to release their archives to me(only country in the world where you need to pay to see the history)

anyone know of where i can find this information online. seems like it should be here but ive tried alot of searching.

thanks in advance

Liam79

There is a limerick history office in the new council offices out in dooroadoyle beside the motor tax office, they keep old leaders and chronicles back to the 1800's, free to view on microfilm

Kess73

If memory serves right Cruises Hotel was knocked in 1989, and that was a big story at the time, as it was the oldest hotel in Limerick and had a lot of history. It got knocked just before the law for protecting old buildings got revamped.


That could make for an interesting story to research.


Or at the start of the 80's the Aughinish alumina plant was built, bringing a lot of extra employment to the area and giving Foynes harbour a huge boost.


Or the building of Shannon Bridge and how it was called the Whistling bridge for a number of years as the way the railings were covered caused a loud whistling noise everytime there was a strong wind, and it could be heard literally for miles.

Plus the opening of that bridge had a bit of action too. Charles Haughey was there for the official opening and at the time there was a big storm over the introduction of a rod licence for fishing. The disgruntled fishermen arrived at the opening and eggs headed for Haughey with either the Mayor at the time or a party member jumping in front of him to take the egg shot.


You could find tales of how the 1980's recession devestated Limerick and how the city came back from that.


Limerick played Real Madrid in the European cup in the 1890/81 season, and won the Irish league in 1979/80.

On the rugby front there was the triple Crown in 1985 so there may be a Limerick slant in there somewhere.

I am sure others here will have loads of other things that happened in the 80's in Limerick to add though, my own memories are a bit mixed as I lived in both Limerick and Liverpool during the 80's, two cities with an awful lot in common on many levels.

bazz26

King Canute's shop where William's Court is now burnt down in the mid 1980s.

pappyodaniel

This contains some good footage, not entirely negative, depending on your stance on 'breakdancing'

Paulegend

thanks guys for all the replys. going to try to head out to the history office and i wanna read up more on those stoies that kess has been talking about. its really interesting to see how limerick changed in the 80s. never heard of King Canute so def looking into that aswell and the break dancing:D cant believe that was in limerick(but it is obviously)

Kess73

I forgot about Woolworths on O' Connell Street, that later became the O' Connell Mall, and is now where Carrig Donn and Luigi Malones are now.

There was a big fuss when Woolworths left over lost jobs etc.

SuperWoody101

Bring back Burgerland!!

Paulegend

SuperWoody101 wrote: »

Bring back Burgerland!!

had an early birthday party there few years before it closed.

also the 3 bus stops boyds todds and what was the other place?

SuperWoody101

Paulegend wrote: »

had an early birthday party there few years before it closed.

also the 3 bus stops boyds todds and what was the other place?

Was it Spades? I used to play the grabbing teddy machine thing there all the time. I also HAD to go to the car park on the roof every chance I got.

billy the squid

spaights?

Paulegend

billy the squid wrote: »

spaights?

thank you ive being trying to remember that one all week