The city’s legendary Theatre Royal is celebrated in Limerick’s Temple Of Sound, a Newstalk documentary airing at 7am on July 23 with a following day repeat at 10pm. After this it’ll be available as a newstalk.com podcast.
Pulled together by Out On A Limb’s Ciarán Ryan, its contributors include Noel Hogan from the Cranberries, Theatre Royal promoter Joe Clarke, historian Dr. Matthew Potter and our man Stuart Clark who recalls seeing the aforementioned Cranberries, House Of Pain and Billy Connolly there. He was also on hand when part of the Father Ted Eurovision episode was shot in the Royal, which was renowned for its eclectic booking policy.
When the venue was badly damaged by a fire, the show went on with Cork metallers Judgement playing in the charred, roofless auditorium. We’re not sure Health & Safety would stand for that sort of carry-on now!
It also became Limerick’s answer to Sir Henry’s with top local and international DJs like Billy Nasty and Judge Jules playing to 1,000-plus crowds.
Going back somewhat further, Oscar Wilde, Patrick Pearse, Roger Casement, Catherine Hayes and John McCormack all trod the Theatre Royal boards.