THE MARKET QUARTER is to be transformed yet again as the Ospreys arrive in town this weekend for Heineken Cup Rugby,
“The whole of Denmark Street is going to resemble a green zone,” said Tony Enright, owner of Smyths Bar and The Icon.
He confirmed that his business interests are picking up “because we are being creative.
“We’re doing something, trying new things and making a pitch for our city.
“It’s all negativity at the moment so anything that’s positive encourages others”.
Denmark Street will boast large goalposts framing the entrances and exits.
Green street lighting will be installed in the Heineken Green Zone which will include nine bars, Smyths, Flannerys, The Bailey, O’Connells, The Cuckoo Box, Charlie Chaplins, Nancy Blakes, Flannerys and Molly Malones.
Mr Enright is confident of a successful future for Limerick, demonstrated when he completely refitted his O’Connell Street restaurant, The Texas Steakhouse.
“People are nervous but we’re going to get out of this and when they see investment it warms the heart”.
He claimed that major companies also have faith in Limerick.
“Heineken are investing about €80,000 in this event.
“People have to go out and people want to go out and enjoy themselves,
“When you have the Man United of rugby, you need to celebrate it.
“The Heineken Cup has to be supported… if there was no Heineken Cup, there would be no Thomond Park”.
It will be the fourth collaborative event in the Market Quarter following the Mardi Gras and other events earlier this year.
“It’s good for the whole city, our restaurants, hotels and shops.
“Solidarity between the pubs, cafes and restaurants for the Mardi Gras brought thousands onto the city streets”.
He fears that people are buying into the doom and gloom and need to enjoy the benefits of the boom.
“Limerick cIty has a fabulous infrastructure. We have seven or eight lovely hotels and the standard of everything went up a notch.
“Good things happened and we need to enjoy these improvements”.
