Banter was brilliant in Timmy Martin's of Limerick, but pints were expensive at €6.20

Sunday World

15-05-2025

There was plenty of football banter in Timmy Martin's in Limerick
​BOTH the Young Commando and the Old Commando were significantly hung-over when the pub-mobile departed from HQ this week, but for two very different reasons.
The Young Commando hadn't stopped celebrating since his beloved Liverpool FC won the Premier League last weekend, while the Old Commando was still coming to terms with Dublin's Leinster semi-final loss to Meath.
When the idea was floated to visit the Royal County, the old guy was quick to veto the notion and insisted we get as far away from Leinster as possible, 'somewhere they'll have no interest in talking about Gaelic football' he declared, while pulling his cap down over his gaunt face.
The 200km trip to Limerick city offered the perfect opportunity for some shut eye before the troops would have to sample some more porter – and we knew neither man would be found shirking his responsibilities when the time came.
Our designated driver parked at the Arthurs Quay shopping centre and we made the short walk towards Timmy Martin's pub in the hope that the locals may not even know that Dublin had been beaten last Sunday.
There was a predominately male clientele in Martin's pub when our team arrived and an experienced barman, who seemed to enjoy a vape or two, served us immediately.
He was very welcoming and full of chat to the Old Commando as we waited for the Guinness to settle.
We paid an expensive €6.20 for a pint of stout, that left us scratching our heads and wondering will there ever come a point that the Irish Government intervenes in the pub crisis.
'I can't see it. They've destroyed tourism in the country and they've sat back for the last decade watching the pub trade die on its knees with not a care in the world,' the Old Commando fumed.
There was a brilliant atmosphere during our stay with the majority of the banter going back and forth between Liverpool and Manchester United fans seated at the counter.
There was another small group of Limerick hurling fans in the pub and the general consensus in that fraternity is that Cork are favourites for the All Ireland, although they have plenty of vulnerabilities.
The green velvet and blue leather bench seating was in good shape and the timber flooring was clean too.
There are three TVs in the front bar where we sat and an additional TV in the second section of the pub that we passed en route to the toilets.
We found it unusual but refreshing that despite this being a city centre pub, there was a good local feel about the place, with nearly everyone on a first name basis.
The fridges were all fully stocked, the counter wiped clean and there are a large number of drinks available on draught, such as Rockshore lager, Hop House 13, Birra Moretti and Orchard Thieves.
Music was playing through the speakers throughout the pub and we spotted a photo of the Limerick hurlers who lifted the Liam McCarthy cup in 1973.
Our Young Commando inspected the toilets and found no faults. He told us they were small but clean with two urinals and one cubicle.
As the evening wore on it continued to get busier and busier and the front door was left open as the regulars enjoyed the mini-heatwave from the comfort of their barstools.
We enjoyed our visit to Timmy Martin's pub and we'd have no qualms about calling again when we're in the city.
Rating: Three pints out of Five
One for the road:
Charlie Chaplin's Bar – Chapel Street, Limerick
WE stumbled upon Charlie Chaplin's bar and initially thought it was closed as the doors were shut and there was no lighting turned on at the front of the bar. One of our eagled eyed Commandos spotted Christmas style lights at the rear of the pub, however, so we decided we'd have one or two and see what it had to offer. There was a predominately younger crowd there and we certainly overheard some English accents too.
The atmosphere was lively and we were served by a barman with glasses who was kept busy during our stay.
We spotted a vape machine as well as a cigarette machine and three large screen TVs.
The toilets contained one cubicle and a stainless steel urinal and there was an overpowering smell of bleach.
We had just the one round of drinks and decided to leave it to the young folks.
Rating: Three pints out of Five