The gurgling Shannon, raucous terrace cheers from Thomond Park, rugby banter in Reddan’s pub, a cheery Saturday morning at the Milk Market, and the pealing bells from The Fathers spire loft on a Sunday morning, all form some of the ingredients of a unique study of everyday life in Limerick.

National Heritage Week (Aug 17-25) is offering 1,700 events, most of which are free. Some 50,000 free copies of National Heritage Week Event Guides are available in Fáilte Ireland tourist offices, libraries, OPW sites, Bus Éireann stations and county council offices.

Limerick has been designated as the National City of Culture in 2014.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen clearly enjoyed the craic provided by The Chieftains yesterday when he opened the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.

OUTSPOKEN economist and commentator David McWilliams will open a month-long public debate on the future of arts and culture in Cork city this week.

THE three daughters of one of Ireland’s greatest composers were presented with a birthday cake yesterday to mark the centenary of their father’s birth.

A BUSINESS leader has expressed concern at the marketing of Limerick as a rugby city.