Mon, 19/05/2025 from 10:30 - 12:00 in Zoom Meeting
Join Joan and Michele with your weights, mats, resistance bands and water in the comfort of your own home each Monday at 10.30 a.m. These online weekly classes are proving hugely popular with so many of our members. Classes ceased for the summer months, but they have resumed since 30th September 2024. A Zoom link will then be sent each week to all paid-up members. Let us know by email at u3alimerick@gmail.com if you want to be a member. The annual membership fee is €20 per person. Membership is from 31st August to 1st September. Membership is currently closed (January to September 2025) and we are creating a waiting list. The contact for paying is Maura Turner at maura.turner1@gmail.com. If you have difficulty finding the €20, just let Maura know. Joan Conran, a U3A member, is an experienced fitness instructor and qualified to work with older folk. She will work on issues of mobility, strength and balance designed to ease your limbs and muscles safely into action. Michele Ryan, another U3A member, is an experienced Yoga teacher and will offer a guided deep relaxation to complement the physical exercises. For this you will need somewhere comfortable to lie or sit on.Wed, 21/05/2025 from 13:00 - 16:00 in
Yet again, we bring tidings of great joy to you, our U3A Limerick members. There is nothing if not a virtual plethora of events, courses and skites, and rare and invaluable opportunities to partake in happenings of unusual and very cultural significance, all thanks to the Fearsome Four holding the reins on the U3A Events Wagon. But the very special opportunity that I am about to tell you about is totally the work of one of our own esteemed members, Gabriela Avram, who has moved hell and high water to make the following event available to U3A members. Friends of Lace Limerick are inviting you to learn the first steps in making Limerick lace. Limerick lace used to be an important industry in Limerick, employing up to 3,000 women at its peak. Queen Victoria and Countess Markievicz were among the most famous wearers of this beautiful lace. Our group is trying to keep alive the tradition and bring it back to public attention. You can read more about the group here: https://limericklace.ie/friends-of-lace/ They would like to offer U3A a free workshop (including 10 beginner kits). The workshop will be offered as part of the Laces of Ireland Project, funded by Creative Ireland's Creative Communities on a Shared Island Scheme, and Limerick City and County Council through Creative Ireland Limerick. Event: Lace-Making Workshop Date/Time: Wednesday 21st May 2025 from 1pm - 4pm. Venue: UL Access Centre, Unit G, LEDP, Roxboro, Limerick. Same venue as U3A monthly talks. If you are interested in this event please send an email to u3alimerick@gmail.com as soon as possible to book your place. The number of places is limited to 10 so dither not my crafty friends!Thu, 22/05/2025 from 08:15 - 19:00 in
Prepare to be transported back in time as you navigate through centuries of Irish history. Located in the heart of Cork Harbour, Spike Island holds a significant place in Irish history, having served as a military fortress and a notorious prison. And our wonderful Events Committee have organised for a group of U3A Limerick members to enjoy a Guided Tour of this impressive island on Thursday 22nd May next!! Discover the stories of the captains and convicts, sinners and saints who once inhabited the island. Join a guided tour with one of the expert storytellers, explore interactive museums, exhibitions and immersive experiences. Spike Island boasts breathtaking natural scenery, providing a stunning backdrop to our visit – embark on the scenic walking trails around the island taking in unparalleled view of Cork Harbour. To discover more tales of heroes and villains at Ireland’s infamous prison island check out https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/ Download the map of the Island from this site. - The cost to U3A Limerick members for this epic outing to Spike Island is subsidised at only €25, which includes bus from Limerick to Cobh, ferry to the island, and guided tour of the fortress and former prison. - Numbers are limited to 40 and will be allocated on a first come basis. Booking and payment must be made in advance, so watch out for the email inviting you to book. - Latest date for receipt of payment will be at our monthly meeting on the 14th May. SCHEDULE for Thursday 22nd May: - Bus will leave the LEDP Limerick at 8.15 am SHARP for Cobh. - NOTE: members’ cars MAY NOT be parked anywhere in LEDP grounds for the day. We suggest using the nearby car parks at Aldi or across the road at Tesco. - Ferry to Spike Island at 12 noon. (There is a slight incline from the ferry arrival point to the entrance to the fortress, but those who may have walking difficulty, can avail of a mini bus that will take them to the fortress, and back to the ferry at the end of the visit) - 35- 40 minute guided tour of the fort and former prison. - Free time to explore the island further or have some refreshments! - Ferry returns from island to Cobh at 4.00 - Depart Cobh at 4.30 pm - Estimated time of arrival at LEDP is 7.15 pm……depending on traffic conditions and possible pit stop! There is a cafe on site, but given the schedule, we have not block-booked the cafe beforehand. After the tour people can then go to the cafe or have their own outdoor picnic at one of the four picnic areas on the island. So bring snacks with you to keep going until 1 o'clock. People are now free to explore the fortress, exhibitions, gift shop and the island itself. There are two walking trails on the island. See accompanying map for places of interest on the island and walking trails.Wed, 11/06/2025 from 14:30 - 16:00 in UL Access Campus, Unit G, LEDP, Roxboro Road
The MV Plassey or Plassy is best known as the wreck seen on the foreshore of ‘Craggy Island’ in the TV comedy, Father Ted. But how did this cargo ship in the Irish Merchant Service, operating during the 1950s end up a wreck on Inisheer, Aran Islands. Michael Kirwan will tell the intriguing story of the vessel’s history, to how she ran into Finnis Rock on her last voyage in March 1960. What cargo she was carrying at the time, who were the men on board and who rescued the entire crew from the stricken vessel. Michael Kirwan. Qualified as a Radio Officer in 1974 at the Marine Radio School, Limerick. He spent six years at sea in the Merchant Navy traveling around the world. After that he spent thirty-seven years working in air traffic communication on the North Atlantic for the Irish Aviation Authority. This talk is for U3A members only and we ask that you arrive at 2.15 to ensure a prompt start at 2.30. Don’t forget your ‘keep cup’ for the cuppa and chat after the talk…..Thu, 19/06/2025 from 11:30 - 15:30 in
Our wonderful Events committee are planning another exciting outing for U3A Limerick members…….a tour of the Japanese Gardens and National Stud on Thursday 19th June next. Cost to U3A members is subsidised at €25 for both tours. Bookings and payment must be made in advance, when you receive a email with an invite to book. Latest date for receipt of payment is at our monthly talk on 11th June as we must confirm numbers to the National Stud and Japanese Garden. Please be there by 11.15 as tours commence at 11.30 am. Car pooling is recommended for this exciting outing. There is a restaurant on site at the Japanese Gardens, The Gourmet Goodies. We won’t be making a booking but they should be able to cater for any of us who wish to partake of their goodies. What to look forward to:- THE JAPANESE GARDENS Are renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than simply a treat for the eye. They also provide comfort to the soul, achieving exactly the objective that was set out when the gardens were created between 1906 and 1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. Their aim was, through trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water, to symbolise the ‘Life of Man’. That plan was executed to perfection and Eida’s legacy is now admired by the 120,000 visitors who soak up the peace of the gardens every year. Very much representative of Japanese gardens from the early 20th century, Eida’s work traces the journey of a soul from oblivion to eternity and portrays the human experience of its embodiment as it journeys by paths of its own choice through life. Birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age, death and the afterlife are all brought to mind as the gardens, a seamless mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, are explored. THE IRISH RACEHORSE EXPERIENCE Since the Irish began telling stories horses and horse racing have been at the heart of our culture. The enduring question has always been who has the fastest horse? Journey through the history of horse racing. Brought to life like never before. The Irish Racehorse Experience takes the visitor on a journey through the rich history and heritage of the Irish thoroughbred sector, from the world’s very first steeplechase in Cork to today’s commercial success story where Ireland and the Irish diaspora continue to lead the world in breeding, training and racing. Keep an eye out for Joan’s email inviting members to book for this tour…Wed, 25/06/2025 from 16:00 - 19:00 in
We, in U3A Limerick, have enjoyed a great year so far, sharing Walks, Talks, Tours, Classes, Conversations, Gardening etc, and, most importantly, sharing Friendship and Fun along the way. Remember, the ‘third age’ is defined as a time in our lives when we have the leisure to undertake learning for its own sake, the wish to do this while interacting with other like-minded people and the ability to do so in an informal, relaxed and sociable way. And, my goodness, we have been doing just that with enjoyment and friendship being the prime movers as we share our life experiences and knowledge with each other. To celebrate all these activities and accomplishments, our Events Committee are organising a SUMMER BUFFET for Wednesday 25th June to be held in the Seasons Restaurant, Great National South Court Hotel, Raheen. Come and enjoy a delicious buffet in the great company of U3A Limerick members to toast our fantastic year to date. The cost for this jolly event is €32 per person. Put the date, 25TH JUNE, in your diary and watch out for further details. Our hard working Events Committee, Mary, Phil, Aileen, Dave, Liz and Geraldine, look forward to welcoming one and all to this summer shindig.Wed, 08/10/2025 from 14:30 - 16:00 in UL Access Campus, Unit G, LEDP, Roxboro Road
RELIVING memories of the past is something of an expertise for photographic author, Sean Curtin. The Limerick man has released volume 22 of his ever-popular series, A Stroll Down Memory Lane.Print Date: 18 May 2025