THERE WAS a young architect from Dub/ Who went down to Limerick’s hub/ to discuss the much-maligned area of design/ and get to the subject’s nub.

Those heading to the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) conference in Limerick, from November 1st to 3rd, are being asked to come up with limericks that will be read out at the event and possibly rewarded. This is the first RIAI conference on Irish soil for many a year – recent architectural forays have been to New York and Venice – and staying on home turf ties in nicely with the conference themes of designing sustainably and surviving during a recession.

Architect Kevin Jackson of Murray O’Laoire will discuss sustainable energy in acute hospitals; Merritt Bucholz of Bucholz McEvoy, who teaches architecture in the University of Limerick, will look at the city’s future; architect Gerry Cahill will give a presentation on retrofitting social housing; while Greg Tisdall of StudioD and Duff Tisdall will address the question: Can architects make a living in a recession?

While five-star hotels weren’t unknown in previous conferences, now some delegates are eyeing up the Travelodge for €25 a night and the RIAI is holding a raffle for free conference tickets for cash-strapped architects.