@DisruptionHedge @Forbes @patrickc #LimerickAndProud There’s a really nuanced article one could write about Limerick. About how a failure of planning in the 1960’s led to housing estates being built with few or no amenities. About how, despite this, they were great places 1/9

#LimerickAndProud to grow up for the majority who lived there in the 70’s and 80’s - including me. You could write about how another policy failure in the 80’s (giving grants to people to move to suburbia) led to so many people leaving that it 2/9

tore the heart out of our communities. How this created a powder keg that magnified anti social behaviour that took hold as drugs entered the scene - just like in every other city in the world. You could write about how individuals and communities and indeed the thousands 3/9

of people who marched for an end to gang violence, together with our police ended the scourge of gang violence in our city. Beyond all of that you could write about a beautiful city with a medieval past and a Georgian architectural centre that could rival anywhere 4/9

You could write about our countless sportsmen and women who have graced the world’s playing fields. You could write about our contribution to literature and music and how the music scene here is primed for a post pandemic take off. You could write about our economic revival 5/9

at how we are contributing to some of the worlds leading companies and indeed starting others. And more, so much more, what a piece you could have written. Instead you went for a cheap, sensationalist headline to try explain how two incredible men from these parts started a 6/9

world leading company now HQ’d in San Francisco. In doing so you insulted not only them, but their family, their school, their community and their city. As you have now seen on social media Limerick has stood up and told you where you can put your keyboard :) 7/9

I now encourage you to do two things 1) Apologize immediately for this grubby hit job of an article and 2) Commit to coming to Limerick when circumstances allow to write the real story. I think you will find that one far more interesting and rewarding. 8/9

Have no doubt also that you will be welcome. If you are really lucky we might take you to some of our best restaurants and bars so you can meet the people here - you won’t meet better anywhere... 9/9