Limerick To Bloom In July

Ireland (SANEPR.com) June 27, 2008 -- Limerick County Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, launched the competition earlier this year as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, commented, “This competition offers communities the opportunity to showcase the positive contribution that local groups make to the overall enhancement of their localities. It also further develops the tourism potential of County Limerick. I wish each participating community the best of luck in the final stages of the competition.”

Commenting on the competition, Councillor Francis Foley, Chair of the Community & Cultural SPC, said, “The concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened over the years by Limerick County Council. This has further been enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in the first ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’.”

Adjudication takes place on July 15-17th and will consider such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter.

The judging panel includes Mr. Luke Griffin, who is the Vice-Chairman of International Entente Florale and a former Chairman of the International Entente Florale Jury.

Categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category of EUR1100, EUR550 EUR300 respectively. Category 1 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people and Category 3 features villages with a population less than 300.

Meanwhile, Limerick County Council confirmed that it has received over 70 applications for its Priming Grants Project.

According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise, Limerick County Council, “The purpose of the scheme, announced in February, is to allow Limerick County Council to contribute financially to local groups that carry out environmental work. Grant aid of up to a maximum of EUR500 must be used for the purpose of purchasing trees, shrubs, brushes, shovels, street furniture and other incidental items that are required to carry out the maintenance and improvement works.”

Further information is available from the Community and Enterprise section of Limerick County Council on 061-496454.

NOTES TO EDITOR:
For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900