Limerick and the Perpetual Damp: A Photographer's Lament

okay, so limerick. it’s…a mood. i wasn’t expecting it to hit quite like this, honestly. i’m a freelance photographer, chasing light and interesting faces, and usually, i’m pretty good at rolling with whatever a place throws at me. but limerick? it’s throwing damp. like, a constant, low-level humidity that clings to everything. i just checked and it’s…a grey sort of breathing right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

my little airbnb is right near the *river, which is pretty, in a brooding, slightly menacing way. the stats said 9.87 degrees, feels like 7.57, min of 9.4, max of 9.95, pressure at 1020, humidity at 83%, sea level 1020, ground level 1011. basically, it’s the kind of weather that makes you question all your life choices. i’m pretty sure my camera lens is developing its own ecosystem.

spent yesterday wandering around the city centre, trying to find some decent street photography opportunities. it’s…charming, i guess? a lot of old buildings, narrow streets, and people who look like they’ve seen things. overheard someone in a pub saying that the best fish and chips are at https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Fish%20and%20Chips&find_loc=Limerick, but warned me to avoid the seagulls. apparently, they’re ruthless. i’m starting to think the seagulls are running the place.

someone told me that King John’s Castle is ‘grand’, but it’s mostly just a pile of rocks. they said you need to go at sunset for the ‘vibes’, whatever that means.

gear-wise, i’m regretting not bringing more waterproof everything. seriously. everything.

waterproof camera bag (duh)
lens cloths - like, a lot of them
a really good rain jacket (i opted for stylish over practical, big mistake)
waterproof boots (thank god for these)
a portable dehumidifier (okay, i’m kidding…mostly)

spent a couple of hours trying to get a good shot of *St. Mary’s Cathedral, but the light was just…not cooperating. it’s a beautiful building, don’t get me wrong, but it needs sunshine. desperately. i heard from a local that the best view of the cathedral is from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186626-d188439-Reviews-St_Mary_s_Cathedral-Limerick.html, but you have to brave the park and the aforementioned seagulls. i’m weighing my options.

if you get bored, galway and cork are just a short drive away. i’m thinking of making a run for it tomorrow, just to see if the sun exists anywhere else in ireland. i’ve been reading up on local history on https://www.limerick.ie/discover/history and it's pretty fascinating, but honestly, a bit depressing. lots of sieges and rebellions. feels…appropriate, given the weather.

apparently, there’s a really good traditional music session at a pub called The Locke Bar. someone warned me that it gets packed*, and you have to elbow your way to the bar for a pint.

overall? limerick is…an experience. it’s not postcard-perfect, it’s not glamorous, but it’s real. and it’s definitely making for some interesting photos. i’m just hoping my gear survives the damp. i’m also looking at some local photography groups on https://www.meetup.com/topics/photography/ie/limerick/ to see if i can find some insider tips. send coffee and sunshine.