Cafe offers a trip down memory lane

AS Limerick City Council embarks on a huge plan to win back business into the city centre, one trader has come up with a mix of history and a cuppa to boost trade.

Ger Sheahan, who runs Lulu’s Cafe in Catherine Street, will host weekly history chats where customers can share times past.

Ger has already gathered a collection of books on local history to help stimulate conversation.

He said: “This is an opportunity for people to sit down, have a cup of tea or coffee and a scone, and chat about their memories of Limerick.

“Factual information is available in books and on the internet we have, but it is the personal memories which is what makes things like this tick.”

Ger says the weekly Tuesday afternoon meetings will also help rekindle old friendships and connections.

Ger had worked for decades in the bacon industry which was once the city’s biggest employer.

“There may be some people who could have worked in a shop or a traditional industry now gone. My mum, for example, worked in the clothing factory in Lord Edward Street, which has now gone. But there are many people still in the city who worked there,” he said. “I would love to see this as an opportunity to meet old friends from the past and talk about life as it was then and renew old acquaintances.”

Ger said many of his customers visit his premises in the morning and lunchtime, and wants to develop his afternoon trade.

“Now is the time to start getting creative,” he said.

Limerick historian Donal Ryan, who taught Ger at the Model School, will be first guest speaker on April 5.

Limerick City Council has launched a major revival plan for the city centre where up to 60 retail outlets have closed over the past 18 months, due a huge retail drive to suburban shopping centres. Special incentives are being offered to retailers willing to take over vacant shop space in the main city centre streets.