Co. Limerick has been my home from September to December of 2014. I'm living there because I go to college in the University of Limerick.  The last few months have been an eye-opener and I think that more than ever that you shouldn’t believe everything you read or hear. Especially when it comes to the Irish media's portrayal of Limerick.

I will put up my hand and say that because of living in Leinster and only ever hearing about Limerick through the news in a negative light, I wasn't expecting much. I was expecting a derelict and decaying city. Of course, some parts of it are, but that's the case with many cities here in Ireland.
However, I was not expecting to see as much cultural heritage and art.

There are so many murals dotted around the city.

First of all, Limerick is home to many art galleries and museums. I have visited the Hunt Museum and Limerick City Gallery of Art and I was more than impressed. One thing, in particular, I like about the art gallery is that it’s never the same each time you visit, new artwork is added, new exhibitions come and go and this keeps the place fresh and exciting. I never knew that Limerick was home to so many talented artists. During my time in Limerick I've gone out in the city so many times that I've lost count, visiting places such as Dolan's Warehouse, Crush 87, Mollie's, Charlie Chaplin’s and I've found that Limerick's nightlife is drastically improving. I'm well used to Limerick at night, I go out at least once a week, in college it is a rite of passage almost! Dolan’s Warehouse is a great place for musicians and also a great place to hold events such as DIE. I love rummaging through O' Mahoney's bookshop to find a good magazine or book. Or taking a trip with my friends to Moody Cow for delicious milkshakes. We have our priorities! I'm preparing to go back for my second semester in UL and I couldn't be more excited. The last six weeks of Christmas holidays have been slow, boring and almost torturous in a way. I never thought I’d say it.


My favourite place to walk in the city is by the Docks, be it late at night where the lights of the city reflect on the water or during the day where you can see hundreds upon hundreds of different birds flying around. The air is really fresh around that area and on more than one occasion I’ve walked along the docks while the sun has been setting. Let me tell you that the sight of the honey coloured sun’s rays reflecting on the rippling water is a gorgeous sight. If you lean against the railings of the docks and look to your left you can where the river Shannon begins to widen and it’s breathtaking. To your right, you can see King John’s Castle. I’ve yet to visit it but it’s on my bucket list for this semester. On Saturday there are markets in the city and if you root around you can find little gems, you just have to know where to look.

You can also find so many sculpture pieces, especially along the Docks

The people of Limerick have been given a mostly negative image by the national media. I feel outraged when I hear this now because I've come across nothing but kindness in Limerick. I remember going into a butcher's in Limerick completely lost and the workers there went out of their way to make sure I could find and get to where I wanted to go. Not to mention the banter I've had with people on my treks through the city.

Take for example the campaign that a young Limerick school girl has started to “Light Up Limerick’s Bridges”. The aim is to put messages of hope and support on all three bridges in Limerick with the hope that it will give support and solace to anyone who is struggling or suicidal. It’s things like this that make me proud of Limerick. There's even a petition related to the cause being signed and it is gaining signatures daily.

No one can say that I'm being biased. I'm an outsider, I'm from the opposite side of the country. But I can still use the hashtag, #Limerickandproud because I'm living in Limerick, and I am proud of it. I want the city and county to continue improving. I'm still so surprised by how much I've taken to the place. I never thought I'd get used to it, but I have and I'm starting to get a proper feel of the place.

The negativity was largely unjustified.

Of course, there's room to improve and I think that Limerick Co Council and the people of Limerick are more than motivated and capable of coming up with new ways to improve and expand Limerick's attractions. I just think that the negativity it’s gotten in recent weeks is completely undeserved and almost crushes the positive change that has been occurring for a while. People took to Twitter and started tweeting their support of their city and also included lovely photos of the many positive things
around the city and county. I even had my own say on the matter. Through this campaign, I've discovered even more sights that I had not previously heard about. I thought I had explored all of Limerick during the last few months but it turns out that I haven't and I'm looking forward to discovering other aspects of the city. I’m looking forward to living here for the next three and half years.

Thanks for reading and I can't wait to get back to UL and see all my friends.

This particular mural was striking.

This cheeky little bird kept watching my friends and I and tilting its head to the side.

Just one of the beautiful views along the Docks.

The three Musketeers.

We happened upon this mural by chance!

As you can see, I love the Limerick Docks.

I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone who doesn’t like music. Some artists create music that you listen to maybe four or more times and get bored. Or those songs that are played constantly over and over until you switch radio station because you can’t stand the sound of them. This is going to be a longish post so please bear with me. You don’t have to read all of it, just listen to the songs! I also put in my favourite lyrics from each song. I've put an asterisk beside the MUST HEAR ones. (*).

Taylor Swift.

1. Young Blood - The Naked and Famous.
It’s such a feel good song. As soon as I hear the electric guitar at the beginning of the song I start to dance. No matter where I am! The lyrics are instantly relatable. You can crash headlong into feelings for someone, you can fall out of them, that feeling of being young and carefree, you feel the life coursing through your veins.
I can listen to this song when I’m happy, when I’m tired or when I’m full of energy.

“The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-between
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah”

2. Soldiers - Ben Howard*
This song is so close to my heart. I remember one night, when I was really missing someone in particular, I listened to this song ten times on repeat. It both helped and made the absence worse. It’s so soft and Ben’s voice is one that soothes me. The lyrics are what really gets me. The emotion in Ben’s voice throughout the song really tugs on my heartstrings, and it’s my dream someday to hear this song live. I'd go as far to say that this song is my all time favourite song.

“And the light comes in here, yeah
Morning my dear, and the restlessness of arms
And we lie here longing now
Words were ours that we'll never be harmed”

John Butler Trio.

3. Settle Down - The 1975.
Funnily enough Settle Down is a really good song to dance to! When the song starts I find myself moving my head in time to it. When I sing along to the song I sing in Matt’s accent which is really strong. His voice is instantly recognisable, as is any song of The 1975.

"For crying out loud, settle down!
 You know I can't be found with you .
We get back to my house.
Your hands, my mouth"

4. Hear The Noise The Moves So Soft And Low - James Vincent McMorrow.
James has a really distinctive voice. This song makes me so happy! For one, it’s sung by a really talented Irish singer. I particularly like the harmonies in the song, they go really well together and it’s just lovely. One thing that makes me laugh about this song is the fact that it’s such a LONG name for a song. I’m a sucker for a good guitar and this song has just that.

"My one, my only one
Lies sleeping in the sun
Gave chase and so we run
Nothing breaks your stride like what's become
Oh, oh, oh"

5. Please Don’t Say You Love Me - Gabrielle Aplin.
I’ve gotten really into Gabrielle’s music the past few months. For one, she’s unreal singing live which is something that is key for me to like an artist. The guitar at the opening of the song is what drew me in when I first heard it. I love the strumming of it, it’s such a simple song yet absolutely gorgeous. Gabrielle’s voice is so sweet and beautiful. I need to listen to more of her music and I recommend people to listen to her.

"Summer comes, winter fades,
Here we are just the same,
Don't need pressure, don't need change,
Let's not give the game away"


6. Colour Me In - Damien Rice.
Such a sad sad song, but I love it. I listen to it before I sleep at night, especially when I’m up in Limerick. Damien’s voice is so familiar, I’d know it anywhere. It’s such a heartfelt song and I’m surprised that I took to it like I did because of just how melancholy it is, but his voice is so sweet and the strings in the background fit in perfectly with the soft piano and guitar.

“So come let me love you
Come let me love you
And then… colour me in”.

7. Little Sister - Queens Of The Stone Age*
The guitar in the song, the guitar. I love it. I keep raving about it. I play it for my sister only to be disappointed when she doesn’t freak out about it like I do! I just think it's a really cool song and I need to remember to download it on to my phone to listen to on the bus. Just listen to it and you'll understand why I like it!

"You whisper secrets in my ear
Slowly dancing cheek to cheek"

Ben Howard

8. Naked As We Came - Iron and Wine.*
I’m after realizing that most of the songs I’ve chosen for this are either sad or emotional! This song is one of the first songs I’ve ever heard of Iron and Wine. It’s such a sweet little song. My favourite aspect of the song is the instrumental part, where the guitar takes centre stage. It’s one of the main songs I play when I want to be calmed down.

"She says 'wake up, it's no use pretending'
I'll keep stealing, breathing her".

9. Old Pine - Ben Howard*
The first song I ever heard of Ben Howard. Yep Ben Howard again. It’s the guitar/banging the body of the guitar that gets me again. I adore the song and its music video. I listen to this when I want to be soothed, I listen to it when I’m happy or especially when I’m walking somewhere, particularly the beach. My favourite part is near the end of the song at 3:40 where the lyrics “we grow, grow older still” are repeated and I love the combination of the guitar/drums.

“We grow, grow, steady as the morning
We grow, grow, older still
We grow, grow, happy as a new dawn
We grow, grow, older still”

Matt Healy (The 1975).

10. Ocean - John Butler Trio
Someone from college introduced this song to me. Despite it being 12 minutes long, and completely instrumental, I completely freaked out. It’s insanely good. I think watching the video that I put with the song makes it even better when you see the effort John Butler puts into it. It’s gorgeous and the emotion that radiates from the song is heart warming. I can listen to the full 12 minutes no problem.

11. From Eden - Hozier.
This song is so catchy. I can’t stop listening to it and you know it’s good when 4/5 people in your family like the song. It’s such an unique song and I’m normally not used to listening to something like this. But I adore this song. Such great vibes, I can’t stop raving about it. I can listen to it over and over again. I can’t stop raving about this man, I’m so proud. He’s Irish! His voice is unreal, his guitar playing is insane. And this song. Wow.

"Babe, there's something lonesome about you
Something so wholesome about you
Get closer to me"

12. You Make Me Feel- Cobra Starship.
Ahhh the one club type song in this group. But it’s just so catchy and its one of my guilty pleasures. I’d be surprised if you didn’t dance to this if you heard it on a night out. I was listening to this while writing this and I’m dancing in my bed. Dancing in bed?! Yep, waving my arms and moving my hips. If I was listening to this in the middle of the lecture I’d be given strange looks because I can’t sit still if I’m listening to this song.

"Everything you want so let me get up there
I'm the baddest baby in the atmosphere
Tell me what you want so we can do just what you like".
13. Wonderland - Taylor Swift*
Oh the feels, the feels. I love this song. It’s so good, I have to dance to this song. It’s both happy/sad. It talks about the pros/cons of going into a risky relationship. How you can resist someone though you know that it’s going end badly. It’s best played out loud, rolled up really loudly. It’s in the deluxe version of “1989”. I won’t have a link as Ms Taylor Swift has taken down ALL Youtube videos/Spotify versions of the song. A pity!

“Didn’t they tell us don’t rush into things,
 didn’t you flash your green eyes at me.
Haven’t you heard what becomes of curious minds?
Didn’t it all seem new and exciting,
 I felt your arms twisting ‘round me”.

14. Ink - Coldplay.
One of my all time favourites of Coldplay’s. I particularly, like the combination of drum/guitar. It’s such a simple yet really emotional and sad song but I listen to it at any time of the day, especially if I’m walking somewhere. The beat is infectious. Even while typing this I’m moving my head in time to the beat! The lyrics are beautiful and let’s face it Chris Martin’s voice is instantly recognizable and equally as gorgeous.

“All I know
All I know
Is that I'm lost
In your fire below
All I know
Is that I love you so
So much that it hurts “

15. Snow (Oh Hey) - Red Hot Chili Pepper.
I remember after a night out in college, I came home very tired/tipsy. I switched on my laptop and this song came up in my Spotify. I started jamming away to the song at three o clock in the morning. Now I listen to it when I’m sober and able to understand the lyrics properly. I know it’s a really well known Chili Pepper song but I really like it. For some reason it’s both something to get you going and something that chills me out!

“Finally divided by a world so undecided and there's nowhere to go;
In between the cover of another perfect wonder and it's so white as snow”.

I've decided to add in a few more songs that I think you should listen to:

1. Sex - The 1975*
2. Paint - The Paper Kites*
3. Bloodflood - Alt J*
4. Evil Twin - Arctic Monkeys. (course I'm giggling away at this).
5. What A Love - The Coronas*
6. I Sat By The Ocean - Queens Of The Stone Age*
7. Tell Me Again - The Coronas.
8. I Remember - Damien Rice.
9. Say It To Me Now - Glen Hansard.
10. Healing Katniss - James Newton Howard.
11. Brother - Matt Corby*
12. Whispers In The Dark - Mumford and Sons.
13. Otherside - Red Hot Chili Peppers.
14. Sofa Bed - Ryan O' Shaughnessy*
15. How You Sleep At Night - John Butler Trio.
16. Woman King - Iron and Wine**
17. Always Be With You - Walking On Cars*
18. Catch Me If You Can - Walking On Cars.
19. Alive - Gabrielle Aplin*
20. Well Enough - William Fitzsimmons*

There are so many other artists that I listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Coronas, Alt J, Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, Queens Of The Stone Age, Bon Iver, Ed Sheeran, Hozier and so many more but I think a 10 A4 page blog post would be uninteresting and it wouldn’t be logical.
Finding working links for every song proved to be a challenge, I wasn't expecting it.
I hope you enjoyed finding new songs to listen to, or that you’ve enjoyed listening to ones that you already know and love.

Hellooo to my first blog post of 2015. My twentieth year of life.

If you don’t know me personally or you haven’t read my little “About me” section on this blog, you won’t know that I have a twin sister named Una. Yep. It’s one of those things that you have to talk about when you meet new people because most of the people I meet end up meeting her at some point. Some of the people I’ve met in college haven’t been prepped about the situation and have been caught out as a result! The amount of times I've had to laugh awkwardly as people fawned over the sight of Una and I together this semester, I've lost count. That's life I suppose!




Being a twin means that your mother has to send you to primary school with badges for the first few years because you look like exact mirror images of each other. Having a twin means that you are sent the exact same clothes and you are left with baby pictures in which you haven't a clue which child is you. Being born on the same day means you have shared a birthday and the BIRTHDAY CAKE which is heartbreaking in itself. Being born a twin means that you will respond to someone calling you your twin's name because you just can't be bothered explaining that you're a twin. Being a twin is sharing a room and having to listen to your twin singing badly, and very loudly on purpose and having her ask you to critique her performance.

Now in 2015, where I'm in college, it's a whole new thing! College is proving to be an interesting experience because for the first time in my life I have a proper separate life. Yes, we do attend the same college, and yes we live in the same student village, but I rarely see her. Our lives barely overlap, and it's both a good and bad thing. Good because for once I'm not being referred to as "one of the twins", bad because it's weird that someone I've been around for the past eighteen years is now not really around anymore.

The longest we've been separated was three weeks and I was fine with it. I used to forget that she was gone and looked for her to remember she was in Galway at Irish college. But I'm not the type of twin that needs their twin to function properly.

I always experience the moments where someone asks the stereotypical question: "Oh do ye speak at the same time?". Of course, the answer is no, but just to make things more awkward Una and I proceed to say "No!" simultaneously. When someone asks me what it’s like being a twin, I have to stop and think. It’s difficult because I have NO IDEA what a life without one is like.

One good thing about twins is that your friends and family learn to know the difference between you. Excluding my grandmother who has to either ask what my sister's name is before attempting to guess or just not even bothering to try and naming me: "Spooky". Friends and family will be able to know by a voice who's who and those are the people that keep me sane in my world of obvious twin questions.

My friend Joanne sent me a Bitbuzz article named "21 Things Only Identical Twins Will Understand". I read this article and agreed with 16 out of 21. My argument is that Una and I are not identical. People will say differently and having argued this on multiple occasions, I now choose to nod and say, oh really?

I'm usually asked the following questions:

1. Do ye communicate telepathically? (The answer is no, and I've yet to come across twins that do).
2. Do ye like the exact same things? (No, I'm my own person and therefore my likes and dislikes are unique to myself.)
3. Do you like being a twin? (It's grand and even if I wasn't happy, I couldn't change things!)

I've yet to go to a twin meetup but I have modeled with pairs of other twins. This is was a traumatic and confusing experience where I had to get used to seeing double all the time and being thrust out in front of hundreds of people at just four years old.

All in all, being a twin is part of me and I don't know anything else.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope for any twins reading this that they can relate.
I also challenge you to try guess who is who in the two photos posted with this.