46 communities prepare for Limerick in Bloom judging stage

46 communities from across County Limerick are busily preparing for the judging stages of the 7th annual Limerick in Bloom competition which takes place later this week and during next week.

Limerick City & County Council, in conjunction with the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, host the competition as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout Limerick to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

This year’s participating community groups will be seeking to emulate the success of last year’s overall winner, Athea Tidy Towns and category winners, Ardpatrick Tidy Towns, Cappamore Estates Committee and Castleconnell Tidy Towns.

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Limerick in Bloom 2014 features 7 community groups participating in the competition for the first time, namely Elton Tidy Towns, Dromcollogher Tidy Towns, Abbefeale Tidy Towns, The Village Residents, Springfield Residents Association, Slugaire Residents Association and St Ita’s Voluntary Housing Association.

According to Mr. Kieran Lehane, Director of Services, Environment: “Despite a stormy start to 2014, the largely fine weather during the summer has assisted Limerick’s communities prepare for this year’s competition and it has also helped to further enhance the physical appearance of many of the county’s towns and villages. The Council, with the support of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, is delighted to have played its part in this process,”

Mr Lehane added: “This annual awards scheme is a celebration of all that is good about community spirit in Limerick. I want to acknowledge the work being carried out by community groups and residents associations and thank them for their valuable contribution to their respective housing estates, villages, and towns.”
Competition categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category. Category 1 features villages with a population less than 300, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people, Category 3 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, and Category 4 includes Housing Estates and Community Areas.

The participants in Limerick in Bloom 2014 are:

CATEGORY 1 – Anglesborough Tidy Towns Committee, Ardagh Development Association, Ardpatrick Tidy Towns, Broadford Development Association, Croagh Community Council, Elton Tidy Towns, Feenagh (Corrandeel Vol. Housing Association), Galbally Tidy Towns, Glenbrohane Tidy Towns Group, Kilfinny Community Council, Killeedy Parish Community Project, Kilmeedy Community Development Group Ltd., Kilteely Tidy Towns Association, Knockainey Tidy Towns, Nicker Village, Old Pallas Residents Association and Strand Tidy Towns.

CATEGORY 2 – Athea Tidy Towns Committee, Ballyneety Tidy Towns, Kilfinane Tidy Towns, Oola Tidy Towns and Pallasgreen Residents Association.

CATEGORY 3 – Abbeyfeale Tidy Towns, Adare Tidy Towns, Askeaton Heritage and Tidy Towns Association, Bruff Tidy Towns, Castleconnell Tidy Towns, Clarina Tidy Towns, Croom Community Development, Dromcollogher Tidy Towns, Kilmallock Tidy Towns, Hospital Tidy Towns and Patrickswell Tidy Towns.

CATEGORY 4 – Cappamore Estates Committee, Drombanna Day Care & Voluntary Housing, Forest View Residents, Garanbawn Residents Committee, Gilmartin Park Residents Association, Glencairin Residents Association, Glin Homes for the Elderly, Hospital Voluntary Housing Association, Kilteely/Dromkeen Housing Association, Kilteragh Residents Association, Springfield Residents Association, Slugáire Residents Association, St. Ita’s Voluntary Housing Association and The Village Residents.

Further information relating to ‘Limerick in Bloom’ is available from the Environment section of Limerick County Council on 061-496214.