Mobile pubs — for drinkers going places

We’ve had mobile libraries and mobile banks.

Now a mobile pub is doing the rounds in Limerick City and County bringing ól agus ceol to towns and villages.

Before time is called over the August Bank Holiday, it’s planned to hold an Irish wake on the premises.

It’s first port of call was to Southill Men’s Shed Group, whose members converted an old show caravan into the pub.

A spokesperson for Limerick City of Culture, the pub licence holders, said: “The first night in Southill was an opportunity for The Mobile Pub project to show its appreciation to the group at the local men’s shed for their work in converting what was a windows showroom — into a mobile pub.

“The event was a social occasion, a chance for the men to meet up, relax and reflect on their work. It was also and the first time that they — ordinary men from Southill — engaged with the Limerick City of Culture Programme.”

Then it was on the University of Limerick campus.

The pub, which is being renamed at each new location, took on the name of The Dew Drop Inn for the UL visit.

From there, the pub moved to the grounds of the Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, near Newcastle West, to toast the West Limerick Vintage Club.

On then to the town of Hospital, where thirsty participants in a Community Walk quaffed well-earned pints.

Wexford artist, Mick Fortune, came up with the idea for Limerick City of Culture.

He said: “I bought an old mobile show room in Offaly and the lads in the Southill Men’s Shed did the work on it. The idea came into my head years ago when the drink-driving rules got stricter and I said what about bringing the pub to the people.

“We plan to hold a wake before the pub calls last drinks. Like the drink, the mobile pub has gone down very well during its rounds of Limerick.

“It’s like a snug and very cosy. Everywhere we go we take pictures and hang them in the pub.”