Lisas Light – Light up Limerick’s Bridges

Pictured Above: Katie Whelan. Picture by: Brian Gavin from Press 22.

By I Love Limerick correspondent Sarah Coghlan.

Before Christmas, Leaving Cert student Katie Whelan set up a petition to Light up Limerick’s Bridges, Shannon, Sarsfield and Thomond bridges, with positive, uplifting messages to help people in difficult times that are suffering with depression or having suicidal thoughts, and is in memory of all those who have sadly taken their own life.

Katie set up the cause, ‘Lisa’s Light’, in memory of her cousin Lisa who tragically died 3 years ago by suicide. She came up with the idea after having a dream about her cousin, “In my dream Lisa was just standing there (at the bridge) and she was contemplating jumping off but the whole bridge was lit up and she just stepped back and the dream ended there, and I knew then I had to do something with it, that the dream came to me for a reason.”

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Katie Whelan pictured with members of Limerick’s Council. Picture by: Brian Gavin from Press 22.

“The idea is to light up Limerick’s bridges with messages like ‘It may be stormy now but it can’t rain forever’ or ‘One moment of madness, a lifetime of sadness’ in plastic solar powered boxes to help people who are in their darkest hour hopefully see the light” Katie explained on the Facebook page.

Deputy Mayor Crowley was concerned whether this idea would draw attention to the problem in a negative way, “but that said, if the initiative prevents one death, it is something to be supported.”

With nearly 5000 signatures, it was announced yesterday that Limerick City and County Council are fully behind Lisa’s Lights initiative to #LightUpLimericksBridges. Now, Lisa’s Light is looking for any companies that are willing to donate to the wonderful cause and help with the idea.

Check out Lisa’s Light at their Facebook page here.