Gay Places in Limerick in 2012?

out of town

I am from out of town in Limerick for a week, and am sad to find that in 2012 most of the gay bars/clubs etc. are no longer in business. Where is the gay community here and how do they entertain themselves? lost: out-of-town friend

TheShyGuy

One a month in Dolans there's a Gay-Night on as far as I'm aware, that is it. But then again what I know about the Limerick scene you would write on the back of a stamp!

out of town

Where do you guys get together? I would love to meet some gay men from Ireland.

TheShyGuy

There is a Gay-Club night on in Dolans (on the Dock Road) Called La Boutique on Saturday the 26th of May as far as I'm aware.

Source: http://www.dolanspub.com/event.php

ongarboy

I've been to Limerick quite often. Is the bar at 31 Thomas Street closed down? It was open and busy the last time I was there in February with DJs on 2 floors. It coincided with a civil partnership wedding fair the same weekend in Limerick so not sure if that is why it was so busy that weekend. I enjoyed the pub and found people quite chatty and friendly there. We even headed over to Dolan's club with some of the folks we had just met in 31 and hung out with them for the night.

TheShyGuy

ongarboy wrote: »

I've been to Limerick quite often. Is the bar at 31 Thomas Street closed down? It was open and busy the last time I was there in February with DJs on 2 floors. It coincided with a civil partnership wedding fair the same weekend in Limerick so not sure if that is why it was so busy that weekend. I enjoyed the pub and found people quite chatty and friendly there. We even headed over to Dolan's club with some of the folks we had just met in 31 and hung out with them for the night.

31 be gone :pac:

JupiterKid

Limerick can't seem to sustain a gay bar for very long. Places seem to last about a year and then close down.

Pretty sad for a city of almost 100,000.:(

ninty9er

All the gays in Limerick seem to fit 3 categories:

1. So far in the closet they've found Narnia
2. So well adjusted they can socialise without segregation
3. Somewhere in the middle socialising with other gays anywhere

2 and 3 can be found at Dolans for that night sometimes. So that begs the question; why have a gay bar? There clearly isn't sufficient demand and it's not for the lack of gay population.

TheShyGuy

ninty9er wrote: »

So far in the closet they've found Narnia

I miss being there!

ninty9er

TheShyGuy wrote: »

I miss being there!

Narnia isn't all it's made out to be Once your friends are comfortable enough to give you the same friendly slagging they give each other about girls it'll all be gravy.

out of town

Thanks all for your friendly feedback and suggestions! I am originally from India and living and working in Tennessee, USA. I am here in Limerick on conference travels till the coming Sunday. I had sent an earlier message to the electronic board thanking you and sending my email address in case anyone wanted to meet at one of the local bars: The White House (on O'Connell Street), George Hotel (on Shannon Street), Angel Lane and The Icon (around Denmark Street)--places suggested by a local artist gallery owner and Rafters/Globe (on Cecil Street)--suggested by a person at The Blind Pig (on Thomas Street, used to be 31 Thomas Street), or any other venue. I was informed by the board moderator/administrator that because I had not posted twenty messages so far, any of my posts with signature/contact info were removed since it would be "best for everyone."

I find this policy odd and illogical since my limited understanding of the purpose of this electronic board is that it is there to be of help to people in overcoming isolation and develop a sense of community—such a policy is obviously preventing me to find any help and meet people who may be interested. The inability to address each case-by-case situation also comes across as rigid, archaic, and most “un user-friendly.” Apologies for sending the post multiple times but I am going to try and address the limited policy so my message can be shared with you. My email address is <mod snip>: I look forward to hearing from you. My warm regards, Bharat

TheShyGuy

ninty9er wrote: »

Narnia isn't all it's made out to be Once your friends are comfortable enough to give you the same friendly slagging they give each other about girls it'll all be gravy.

I'm at that stage with everyone but it's more I was to afraid to ACT on the fact I was gay - Oh... the easy life!

ongarboy

out of town wrote: »

Thanks all for your friendly feedback and suggestions! I am originally from India and living and working in Tennessee, USA. I am here in Limerick on conference travels till the coming Sunday. I had sent an earlier message to the electronic board thanking you and sending my email address in case anyone wanted to meet at one of the local bars: The White House (on O'Connell Street), George Hotel (on Shannon Street), Angel Lane and The Icon (around Denmark Street)--places suggested by a local artist gallery owner and Rafters/Globe (on Cecil Street)--suggested by a person at The Blind Pig (on Thomas Street, used to be 31 Thomas Street), or any other venue. I was informed by the board moderator/administrator that because I had not posted twenty messages so far, any of my posts with signature/contact info were removed since it would be "best for everyone."

I find this policy odd and illogical since my limited understanding of the purpose of this electronic board is that it is there to be of help to people in overcoming isolation and develop a sense of community—such a policy is obviously preventing me to find any help and meet people who may be interested. The inability to address each case-by-case situation also comes across as rigid, archaic, and most “un user-friendly.” Apologies for sending the post multiple times but I am going to try and address the limited policy so my message can be shared with you. My email address is <mod snip>: I look forward to hearing from you. My warm regards, Bharat

I'm sure the mods could answer this better and apologies for going OT (and hopefully not back seat modding) but dis-allowing personal information from being shared on an open forum is designed to be a safeguard for both you and others, some of who may be in vulnerable positions and protect you from unsavioury types (of which there are plenty out there). You can certainly encourage other posters/viewers of these threads to PM (private message) you and use that outlet for sharing private contact details. Boards is a discussion forum as opposed to a personals website.

JH_raheny

that line really made me laugh

ninty9er wrote: »

All the gays in Limerick seem to fit 3 categories:

1. So far in the closet they've found Narnia
2. So well adjusted they can socialise without segregation
3. Somewhere in the middle socialising with other gays anywhere

2 and 3 can be found at Dolans for that night sometimes. So that begs the question; why have a gay bar? There clearly isn't sufficient demand and it's not for the lack of gay population.

out of town

Having no identity marker of a gay presence in the physical and cultural fabric of the town is so very sad, it is as if none of you exist at all--nada--your stories and your lives are completely invisible and wiped clean from the moment of the present. Worse is that even many of us do not realize the damage this lack of visibility is doing to the current and future generations (who desperately may need the show of support), not to speak of the history of gay people and our struggles, and our silences, and the discrimination we face on a daily basis owing to the forces of heterosexism and homophobia. My heart cries out for you, oh gay friends in Limerick! Bharat

Freiheit

The fate of Rainbow Support,now squatting with the Red Ribbon Project is really sad,no home of their own,just one part time employee....A lot of gay people seem to hang out in O Briens Irish Sandwich bar on Thomas St,but yeah it is a shame that Limerick has no gay themed social venue,not for me,but for people just tentatively peeking out of the closet,I'm sure a gay friendly or themed venue would help.

A lasting image of last years Pride was of a young gay couple kissing in the thomas st venue,they must have been only 15 or so,ok it was pride but I doubt they'd do so in a typical pub,at that stage anyway. It was great that they could there.

mixie2me

Hey All,

I used to run 31 Thomas St, it is a shame that it has closed down but, i now manage bakers and alot of the regulars from 31 have made this their new local, its a very very gay friendly bar. :D

LegacyUser

JupiterKid wrote: »

Limerick can't seem to sustain a gay bar for very long. Places seem to last about a year and then close down.

Pretty sad for a city of almost 100,000.:(

Places in Limerick are only in vogue for a short time, gay or straight, the places to be seen in have a short life expectancy. Very fickle in limerick, at one stage it was Punche's then Riddlers then Jack Bourkes, ( oops thsts telling my age) but little has changed over the years,

Spirogyra

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm interested in social history. Where were the gay spaces in Limerick in the past? ie 80's,70's,60's and before?

Spirogyra

Spirogyra wrote: »

Where were the gay spaces in Limerick in the past? ie 80's,70's,60's and before?

London.

J_E

I don't know what the situation is now, but the last time I was in Limerick, Bakers was the place to be (I accidentally came out to someone there for the first time)

Spirogyra

very sad to hear that there was an exodus to London, I suppose it's predictable enough...was there was any publications available? surely there must have been somewhere in Limerick?

Annasopra

Spirogyra wrote: »

very sad to hear that there was an exodus to London, I suppose it's predictable enough...was there was any publications available? surely there must have been somewhere in Limerick?

Perhaps the Irish Queer Archives have details

ongarboy

Spirogyra wrote: »

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm interested in social history. Where were the gay spaces in Limerick in the past? ie 80's,70's,60's and before?

Not old enough to remember that era but in the 90s when I used to go to UL there, The White House on O'Connell St (while not an official gay bar) attracted a gay clientele and Costellos had the odd gay night.

LegacyUser

where are the gay places now in Limerick? I know of Strokers but are there others. Are there gay-friendly places? I know Baileys near Arthurs Quay on O'Connel street was a gay-friendly place but that seems to be gone.

Spirogyra

Quinns also ?