Rugby Threatens Limerick’s Status as a “City”

There once was a City named Limerick . . . but after Sunday, it may not be a city any more. In order for it to count as a “City” by European standards, and therefore, qualify for funding from the EU, it has to have a population of 50,000. It currently boasts 54,000 residents, so there should be no problem. Unfortunately on census day, as many as 20,000 resident may be in Dublin watching Munster play a rugby match, the Heineken Cup semi-final, against Leinster. This is serious.

Diarmuid Scully, mayor of Limerick in western Ireland, is a man on a mission. He has to make sure that there are 50,000 people in town (or city rather) at the crucial hour. “At the time April 23 was picked, it probably seemed like a quiet night,” he told Reuters. “Unfortunately for Limerick people, quite a lot of us won’t be at home that night. Quite a number would stay on to celebrate if it’s a Munster victory.” Or a loss, rugby fans not being particular about why they are at the pub after a bruising match.

Like all good politicians, though, he is not only urging people to get back after the match, but also he is trying to get the census officials to be “flexible” about the crucial hour. The rules say that the census forms are to be completed by the following morning, April 24. “I’m asking for a flexible interpretation of the morning -- let morning stretch throughout the day,” he said. “Let it stretch until midnight.”

There is, of course, another solution, which Mr. Scully may still have time to effect. Limerick could be declared a rugby-free zone. Cinemas should stay open all night, restaurants offer reasonable discounts, and hotels cut their rates. Get everyone in Ireland who hates rugby to come to Limerick and fill out the forms.

It would be a shame if Limerick lost out on being a city just because its people are boosters of the regional rugby side. Of course, even if the EU decides it isn’t a city, Limerick could do what countless piffling small settlements in the US do – put “City” in the name. After all, in the State of New York there is a place called The Village of Johnson City. The Kensington Review urges the EU to give Limerick a break.

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Home