Limerick Beat Club Experience

In this blog I spend a lot of time writing about my past experience on the Christian/Baptist scene and also on my interest in pop and rock music. This week in Limerick, I notice a strange coming together of both worlds. Way back in 1992, we had our last service at the old Limerick Baptist Church building in O’Connell Avenue. The new building is out on the Cratloe Road. But this Friday, in the old building, which is now St Joseph’s Parish Centre, there’s an exhibition and walking tour on the Limerick Beat Club scene in the 1960s. It’s part of Culture Night.

I’ve often thought that I’d like to pop into the old building, so this is my opportunity. Only thing is that these days, I often plan to go to events, and then when the time comes, I say “Ah I won’t bother. I’ll go some other time.” But maybe, putting this in my blog will motivate me to go. I was too young to know about the 1960s Beat Club scene in Limerick. I lived in Cork. I spent a couple of years going to Downtown Kampus in the Cork Arcadia in 79-80, but that was more of a punk rock scene.

Anyway, I’ll use the magic of Google Street View to show you what the old Baptist Church building looks like. Some might think it’s sacrilege to have a Beat Club exhibition in a church, but Baptists don’t place much emphasis on buildings. It’s just a place to meet. I wouldn’t even mind lending out our building if it was still a Baptist church. I first attended Limerick Baptist Church in 1981. I even preached there from time to time. In fact, I do remember giving a little speech at our last service in May 1992 on the history of Baptists. Two women walked out. I think I must have stated how we differ from the Roman Catholic church, and they took it as an insult. Anyway, the Roman Catholic Church own the building now, so they’ve got their own back on us 😀.

Former Limerick Baptist Church

Actually, many old concert venues in the UK have become churches, including the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London. So it works both ways.

We met in Caherdavin Community Centre for a while, and then we opened our new building in May 1993. So now, Limerick Baptist Church is in Caherdavin, and many more people attend it than did in 1992.

Limerick Baptist Church

At the moment I attend another evangelical church closer to my home, but I do pop along to the Baptist Church from time to time. Sometimes Roman Catholic Churches hold Bible Studies. It would gladden my heart to hear of a regular Bible Study being held in St. Joseph’s Parish Centre (formerly Limerick Baptist Church). I think that they have Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other community events there, so maybe my dream will come true some day. And I still want to be a pop star, so maybe I’ll perform there in a concert too 😀.

Anyway, I hope the Beat Club Experience turns out well. It’s one of many events in Limerick on Culture Night.

Here are some famous Limerick people that some of you might have heard of:

• Richard Harris – Legendary actor known for Camelot, Gladiator, and playing Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films
• Frank McCourt – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela’s Ashes, a memoir set in Limerick
• Dolores O’Riordan – Lead singer of The Cranberries, whose haunting voice defined hits like “Zombie” and “Linger”
• Terry Wogan – Beloved BBC broadcaster, famous for Wake Up to Wogan and Blankety Blank
• Denise Chaila – Rising star in Irish rap and spoken word, blending hip-hop with powerful social commentary
• Éamon de Valera – Though born in New York, he was raised in Bruree, County Limerick. He became Taoiseach and later President of Ireland, playing a central role in Irish independence and state-building
• Michael D. Higgins – Born in Limerick, he became President of Ireland in 2011 and is known for his poetic speeches and advocacy for social justice
• Desmond O’Malley – Founder of the Progressive Democrats, former Minister for Industry and Commerce
• Jim Kemmy – Labour and Democratic Socialist Party TD, also served as Mayor of Limerick
• Johnny Fean, the legendary guitarist from the Celtic rock band Horslips
• Larry Hogan, Christian folk singer