Day 9 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - LIMERICK
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Rolls into Limerick: Treaties, Tunes & Shannon Swagger
What’s the story, Limerick?!
It’s your boy Fabu D, aka The Black Paddy, pedaling into the city of sieges, songs, and serious style. I’m cycling across Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the charity helping young people mind their mental health—and Limerick? You’ve got history, heart, and a whole lot of hustle.
---
🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the craic, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
---
🏰 First Impressions: Limerick’s Treaty Swagger
I rolled into Limerick with Guinness Zero in my bottle cage and the River Shannon glinting beside me. First stop? King John’s Castle—built in 1200, it’s the westernmost Norman castle in Europe. I stood there imagining knights, rebels, and maybe a few lads sneaking in for a pint.
Limerick earned its nickname, the Treaty City, after the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691, ending a war between King James II and William of Orange. The treaty was signed on a stone that still sits in the city today. I touched it and felt like I was part of history—minus the sword fighting.
---
😂 Funny Limerick Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
Alright, here’s some mad stuff I learned:
- Limerick was founded by Vikings in 922 AD, making it one of Ireland’s oldest cities.
- The city has the largest Georgian Quarter outside Dublin. Fancy windows and posh vibes everywhere.
- Irish Coffee was invented in nearby Foynes in 1943. I didn’t drink one, but I did sniff one like a connoisseur.
- There are 10 towns in the USA called Limerick, including one in Pennsylvania and another in Maine. Global influence, baby.
- Limerick’s motto is urbs antiqua fuit studisque asperrima belli—“an ancient city well studied in the arts of war.” That’s some serious poetic flex.
- The Living Bridge at the University of Limerick is the longest footbridge in Ireland. I walked it and felt like I was in a slow-motion movie scene.
---
🎶 Music, Literature & Rugby Royalty
Limerick’s got culture pouring out of every pub and poetry night. It’s the hometown of The Cranberries, Richard Harris, Terry Wogan, and Frank McCourt, who wrote Angela’s Ashes. I passed the house where he grew up and felt the weight of stories still lingering in the air.
And let’s not forget rugby—this city lives and breathes it. I saw a toddler in a Munster jersey trying to tackle a lamppost. That’s dedication.
---
🗣️ Chatting with Limerick Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Ger who told me he once played rugby with a broken toe and still scored a try. I asked if it hurt. He said, “Only when I stopped running.”
I met a woman who runs a poetry night and swears the best verses come after a Blaa and a brisk walk. I didn’t argue.
---
🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through Limerick’s Soul
The roads here are lively, the river’s always nearby, and the architecture flips between medieval and modern like it’s showing off. I cruised through Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, and looped back through the People’s Park, where the trees whisper stories and the benches invite reflection.
---
🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Limerick’s Steady Beat
Limerick has a rhythm. It doesn’t rush—it resonates. I sat by the Shannon, sipping my Guinness Zero, and just breathed. No pressure, no noise, just peace.
That’s what Jigsaw offers—space to breathe, to talk, to be. If you’re a young person feeling overwhelmed, reach out. You deserve peace.
---
🛏️ Limerick Hospitality: A Random B&B with Real Warmth
I stayed in a cozy little B&B tucked into a quiet street. The kind of place where the kettle’s always hot and the host knows your name before you say it. I asked where I could find a good Blaa and got a full walking tour, a weather update, and a story about their cousin who once danced with Dolores O’Riordan at a wedding.
---
💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Limerick, you’ve been a revelation. From castles to coffee, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s poetic soul.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or shouted “Go on ya legend!”—thank you. To the seagull who tried to photobomb my castle selfie—respect. To the county itself—keep singing.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
---
💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
