Limerick city and county councilStaff newsletter

September2014

councilconnect

DunkeD! double dunk!

3 4

5 9

giantexpectation

to the rescue!

limerick city and county council staffspent three days in the ul arena countingvotes to decide the outcome of this year’slocal elections. there was huge interestacross the world from limerick expats inthe count result and this was the firsttime that the local elections werereported live on twitter with the#limerickcount trending in ireland at onepoint. there were tweets from 149locations across the world and almost63,000 people viewed our twitter account@limerickcouncil.

best Wishes to the following staffmembers who have retired sinceapril 2014.

sheila o'sullivan, part-time BranchLibrarian, 11 May 2014James kiely, general operative, 12May 2014Marian shannon, assistant Staffofficer, 18 May 2014John o'Flaherty, general operative21 May 2014claire Murray, School Warden, 22 May2014ailish shortt, Staff officer, 30 May2014thomas o'Halloran, Waterworkscaretaker 5, 05 June 2014cornelius o'gorman, Driver/plantoperator, 09 June 2014thomas lees, Staff officer 30 June2014catherine Murphy, Staff officer 30June 2014thomas ryan,Waterworks caretaker5, 02 July 2014gerard naughton, Senior engineer,08 July 2014Patrick Mccarthy, Waterworkscaretaker 5, 16 July 2014Jimmy Feane, Director of Service,31 July 2014Jimmy condon, Senior executiveengineer,05 august 2014ollie o'loughlin, Director of Services,31 august 2014

congratulations to new chairperson Yvonne daly who along with the rest of thecommittee are currently planning lots of fun events including the christmas Partyon Friday 5th december, the kids christmas Party and a trip to a limerick Panto.to attend any sports and social club event, you must be a current member of thenewly formed sports & social club. You’ll find all the details on the intranet and ifyou have any queries regarding joining or your membership status please contactany of the committee at sportsandsocial@limerick.ie or 061 496434

RetiRing

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chair: Yvonne Daly, itVice chair: alyson hannon,environmentsecretary: Maria croke, Motor taxVice secretary: Michelle cottam, FireServicetreasurer: Siobhan hanley,environmentVice treasurer: karen Burke, planning auditor: esther Lane, hR

committee Members:Roisin Ross, planningJames Moylan, RoadsJennifer chambers, housingJimmy calvert, Retired MemberMarie carroll, Fire StationMike Mooney, Fire Stationpat kiely, Fire StationSusan Sherin, accounts ReceivableSinead Mullane, Fire control

limerick city & countycouncil sports & social clubis officially up and running!

local elections: it all counts

WelcomeWelcome to another edition of council connect!this is the first newsletter since we officiallybecame one organisation in June and thanks toeveryone for their contributions. it’s been a busysummer with lots of really enjoyable limerickcity and county council supported events takingplace- and there’s lots more to look forward toincluding the visit of the royal de luxe giant aspart of the limerick city of culture festivities.as always, if you have any suggestions for ournext edition which will be out just in time forchristmas please get in touch

Lauralaura ryan, communications officer,Merchant’s Quaylaura.ryan@limerick.ie

open spaces, landmark buildingsand bridges across limerick citycentre were transformed into a seaof colour this summer thanks to theParks department.

thousands of bedding plants wereplanted in the city’s public parks,street containers, hanging basketsand on roundabouts with displays offlowers adding a splash of colour tocelebrate Limerick city of culture2014.

‘Bridges in Bloom’ flower basketsalso adorned the city bridges - mostof the plants on display were grownat the council nursery.

parks Department Superintendent,Michael Sheehan said many newvarieties of flowers were planted thisyear by parks staff who maintain thepublic parks and open spaces in thecity.

Despite an extremely stormy startto 2014, the weather has beenrelatively good and has helpedoutdoor staff in their efforts toprovide one of the most extensivefloral displays ever seen in the city.We are delighted with the reactionto the floral features which havehelped to transform the appearanceof our parks, gardens and landmarkbuildings, especially in the sunshine,"added Mr. Sheehan

tara Flanagan, Senior executiveengineer, environment Department,paid tribute to the parks Departmentstaff who she said have “workedhard to bring a huge splash of colourinto the heart of the city.” She said: "Scores of trees

throughout the city and in ourpublic parks were felled or damagedduring the February storm. however,the expertise and hard work of ourstaff ensured that the public risk wasminimised during the period andthat the parks reopened quickly.today, our parks look fantasticthanks to their work and of coursethe wonderful floral displays thatwere put in place in the people'spark during June to celebrate theSpecial olympics ireland games."

the park played host to 7,000people for this event and weeks ofpruning, weeding and planting wentinto the preparation. a woodensculpture of the Special olympicslogo was commissioned by theparks Department to commemoratethe event. the people’s park is awonderful location for events of thisnature and we hope many moreevents will take place here toshowcase it.

the parks Department alsoundertakes an extensive grasscutting programme over 330 acresof greens in parks, open space andestates as well as tree planting andpruning.

LiMeRick LookS blooMing good!

LateSt to Join tHe bucket list

our cathaoirleach, chief executive andMayor joined council staff in the ice bucketchallenge. €3k was donated to the irishMotor neurone disease association by thestaff Humanitarian and benevolent Fund.

Yaasin Sharif o’connell St treaty Stone

Seamus Moloney and Joe Molloy of the parks Department

cathaoirleach kevin Sheahan

chief executive conn Murray

Mayor Michael Sheahan

What a summer it was in limerick! thesun shone and the rain came,sometimes all in one day! limerick cityand county council is proud tosupport many local events, especiallyduring our historic year as ireland’sfirst national city of culture. the summer of 2014 was definitelyone to remember – throughout Juneacrobats amazed at noFit Statecircus, athletes inspired at the Specialolympics ireland Games andhundreds took to the city’s quays forthe BeSPoKe Bike Parade! in July theflowers bloomed as music andlaughter filled the People’s Park for thesuccessful Proms while the summercame to a close in typical limerickfashion – with a rugby festival for theWorld club 7s!

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discounts to council staff

Did you know there are discountsavailable to all staff at Maldron hotelsaround the country? Log on towww.maldronhotels.com & click onthe promotional offers icon. to Book now, Lo-call: 1850 885 885 &quote “Dalata” or once you have chosenwhich hotel you would like to book,enter password ‘Dalata’

tax relief for 3rd level tuition Fees

it’s back to school/college time and didyou know that tax relief is available ifyou’re paying qualifying fees in respectof yourself or your spouse/children forcertain approved 3rd level courses?Qualifying fees include tuition fees andthe student contribution, but excludesregistration, administration orexamination fees. Relief is not availablefor any part of the fees which arereimbursed to the individual from anysource i.e. scholarship, grant, employer,etc.

the maximum amount of fees whichqualify for tax relief is €7,000, perstudent, per course, per academic year.More info on www.revenue.ie

golf outing

the annual golf outing for the paddyo'connor golf trophy will take place onFriday,12th September 2014, at Limerickgolf club, with tee times 2.00pm to3.15pm. (Reduced green Fee €20). allretired and current councillors, as wellas serving and retired staff fromLimerick city and county council areinvited to play. tee times can be bookedon a first come first choice basis bycontacting (either by telephone or e-mail) Jos kirby, civil Defence Section on086 6095344 orjoseph.kirby@limerick.ie

summer!What a

neWs

the sell out proms in the people’s park Special olympics gamesin Limerick

Matt potter’s daughter anna,carried the olympic Flame

1200 people enjoyed theBeSpoke bike parade

Bianco by noFit Statecircus wowed audiences

Fiji’s Daveta Rugby club– winners of the Worldclub 7s

the visit of world renowned streettheatre company royal de luxe tolimerick on the weekend ofseptember 5th-7th is expected todraw in excess of 200,000 visitors.over three days limerick will betransformed, and the hearts andimaginations of all who visit will becaptivated by the giant’s Journey.thousands of people will follow thegiant’s progress each day, visitingsome well-known landmarks and alsothose less well known, viewinglimerick with new eyes and growingaffection for our 25ft visitor.

a huge amount of work by Limerickcity and county council staff behindthe scenes is taking place to make surethe giant’s Journey to Limerick goeswithout a hitch.

Since September 2013 staff havebeen busily working on the routes thegiant will take, giving thegrandmother her irish identity,understanding the environmentalimpact of such a large event andharnessing the business and artscommunity under one project, thebiggest of the year in 2014.

examples of how transport andinfrastructure, environment, Museumand archives and the arts office havehelped in the delivery include:• the giant grandmother will travel 19kilometres of a processional route –imagine all the planning fromtransport and infrastructure for that! • up to 8 articulated trucks willtransport numerous 20ft containers,including a low-loader with granny onit, curtain sliders, flat bed trailers, and a19 ton rigid box body truck carrying allthe equipment required to build thegrandmother in Limerick.

• the grandmother is half-irish, half-Breton and her character has beeninformed by our Museum and archivesService as has the story that will unfoldover the three days.• a crew of 170 technicians,performers, giant manipulators andothers are preparing for theperformance including some from ourlocal arts community.• a total of 120 volunteers, 36 fromLimerick city and county council willbe directing the giant's Journey as partof the ‘Benevol’ team. they have theimportant job of creating a cordonaround the giant making sure both thegiant and the spectators are safe.• the granny needs at least 8 hourssleep a night plus a catnap during theday in her wheelchair. theenvironment Department are busygetting Shelbourne park ready toreceive her and have considered theenvironmental impact of the 6.5mwheelchair that she travels and naps in.now that we are getting really close tothe event, all our emergency servicesare on board planning ‘blue light’routes for any emergency, including

weddings, births and funerals.the travel and transportation

Department is liaising with the gardaito provide traffic management andcontrol to enable and support theevent including the provision of roadclosures, traffic diversions, vehicle towaway and park and Ride services. thecouncil will work in close co-operation with the utility services andthe transport services toaccommodate members of the publicand will also manage the control ofroadworks and the traffic managementplan for the event.

put the dates in your diary as this willbe an unmissable experience! it is thesingle biggest event in the Limerickcity of culture programme. the scaleof the event will not only enhance theidentity of Limerick but also createconnectivity between culture, tourismand the economy.

For updates on the giant’s Journey,keep an eye on royaldeluxelimerick.ieand limerick.ie

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1. royal de luxe (5-7 Sept.)2. roches street Festival (8-20 Sept.)3. knights of Westfest (10-14 Sept.)4. elemental (12-14 Sept.)5. european Mobility Week (16-22nd Sept.)6. royal Picture show (18-21 Sept.)7. culture night (19 Sept.)8. Jazz Festival (25-28 Sept.)9. open House (3rd-5th oct.)10. cuisle (15 - 18 oct.)

behind the scenes at

uPcoMing autuMn HigHligHts in liMerick! 10

roYal de luxe

From fires and road traffic accidents tomajor flooding, river rescues, freakweather conditions and otheremergencies, 2014 has been anexceptionally busy year for limerickFire and rescue service. it is one of thelargest departments in the council,with 184 staff and 140 civil defencevolunteers.

Limerick Fire and Rescue Serviceworks to create a safer society byreducing the incidence of death orinjury, damage to property andenvironmental damage caused by fireand by other emergencies. every year inireland approximately 50 people die infires. Limerick fire fighters provide a fireand rescue emergency response toincidents around the city and county, 24

hours a day, 365 days a year.the range and complexity of tasks

which they undertake continues toexpand. in the last number of yearsresponses to hazardous substances andenvironmental incidents and rescuesfrom a variety of situations have beenadded to the fire services area ofoperations. in addition there has been asignificant increase in the number ofroad traffic accidents and the range ofequipment and procedures, which thefire service operates, continues toexpand accordingly.

under the control of the chief Fireofficer, Michael Ryan, staffing consistsof a combination of highly trained fulltime and retained fire-fighters alongwith senior officers, fire engineering

staff and technical and administrativeback up.

approximately 1600 incidents areattended to on an annual basis with atotal of 60 firefighters based in MulgraveStreet in the city centre and 72 retainedstaff as well as a full time brigademechanic across six fire stations in thecounty, abbeyfeale, cappamore,Foynes, kilmallock, newcastle West andRathkeale.

Senior assistant chief Fire officer,Scott keenan says planning,organisation and hard work is the key tothe success in providing a fire andrescue service to the 191,000 peopleliving, working and visiting Limerick.

“each retained Fire Station ismanaged by a Station officer and we

the Munster Regional communicationscentre (MRcc) is the call handling andprocessing centre for all fire service999/112 calls in the province and alsooversees Munster’s emergencycommunication networks. Since itsinception in 1992 the centre hasprocessed in excess of 400,000 callsand is a 24/7 operation.“We deal with approximately 20,000calls a year,” said ger o’Driscoll,a/Senior executive emergency

communications officer. “our role is toensure that emergency calls areanswered and processed in a speedyand effective manner so that the correctFire Brigade is mobilised to anemergency incident as quickly aspossible.”

Emergency Control Operator, HelenaLahiff and her colleagues deal witharound 20,000 calls a year at the MRCC

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More than a Fire serVice

Mrcc: tHe Vital link

Well done to the firefighters in Mulgrave Street Fire Stationwho won the emergency services obstacle coursecompetition held in Sarsfield Barracks this Summer tocelebrate the 75th anniversary of the 12th infantry Battalion.the obstacle course consisted of both physical and mentalchallenges which were overcome using communication andteam building skills as well as physical fitness .the firefighters completed the full course in an impressivetime of 14 mins and 30 seconds, giving them first place .congratulations!Team coach : Kevin O'RiordanTeam: Paul Knapp, Steve Cusack, Trevor Slattery, Eli Brace,Anthony Herlihy, Mike Mooney

have 12 fire fighters on duty in MulgraveStreet as a minimum every single year,”Scott explained. “the retained fire-fighters based in county Limerick mustreside within two miles of the stationand be on call for incidents and attendregular training- it really is a hugecommitment. But all this training paysoff on busy weekends, like we sawearlier this year during the month ofFebruary when we were exceptionallybusy during Storm Darwin whichwrecked havoc across Limerick and themajor flooding incident in king’s island.”Regular training forms a vital part of aLimerick fire fighters experience. a highproportion of their careers is spent

training and re-training as they have touse this experience to allow themoperate effectively on the ground.

Whole-time firefighters train each daythat they are on duty and in retainedstations, the firefighters train for at least2 hours each week and during this timeall equipment is checked andmaintained.

Limerick Fire and Rescue service carryout a large number of river rescues and48 members have qualified as SwiftWater Rescue technicians (SRts) sothey can respond within seconds towater rescues.

“We are delighted to formally put intoservice shortly our new custom madepower boat,” Scott continued. “ourcrews have been trained on the new 4.6metre RiB which has been speciallydeveloped for the Fire Service andspecifically designed for the riverShannon. the powerboat will be used inconjunction with inflatable rescue sledsto enable rapid deployment on the river

to rescue a person in distress. the SRtswear dry suits, flotation devices andhelmets which are all designed forwater rescue use, and with the additionof our new powerboat, we’re fullyequipped for river rescues.”

as well as operations Response,Limerick Fire and Rescue Serviceoperates a fire prevention and buildingcontrol section, a building inspectionand enforcement function andmaintains a major emergency plan forthe city and county. it also operates theMunster Regional communicationscentre which is the emergency callhandling and processing centre for allfire service 999/112 calls in Munster.

over the next few months, the servicewill undertake an extensive publicawareness promotion of fire safety, andcontinue to actively educate thecommunity about fire preventionmeasures participating in school visits,talks to community groups, and mediafire safety campaigns, particularly forFire Safety Week in october.

“Most of the fire deaths that occur inpeople’s homes occur at night,” Scottkeenan said. “Fire prevention is a hugepart of our role as the biggest killer issmoke, not heat or flames, as smoketravels well ahead of a fire. if you areasleep when a fire occurs in your home,the smoke generated will put you intoan even deeper sleep. installing a smokealarm will give you time to escapebefore fumes and smoke can build up.”

as well as Fire Safety Week, the FireService offers safety talks to communitygroups, holds station open days andalso hosts and visits primary schoolspromoting safety to children. Firefighters may be ordinary people butfire fighting is no ordinary job.

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Winning no obstacle

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We are deligHtedto ForMallY Putinto serVicesHortlY our neWcustoM MadePoWer boat,

“

MaYor

MuniciPalcatHaoirleacH

MuniciPalcatHaoirleacH

MetRopoLitan DiStRict oF liMerick

séighin Ó ceallaigh (SF)

shaneclifford (FF)

kierano’Hanlon (FF)

elenasecas (Lab)

MarianHurley (FG)

Jerryo’dea (FF)

Paulkeller (AAA)

Maurice Quinlivan (SF)

MichaelHourigan (FG)

Joecrowley (FF)

Frankiedaly (Lab)

cianPrendiville (AAA)

Johngilligan (NP)

James collins (FF)

Mariabyrne (FG)

Joe leddin (Lab)

MalachyMccreesh (SF)

danielbutler (FG)

Johnloftus (AAA)

seánlynch (FF)

emmet o’brien (NP)

MunicipaL DiStRict oF adare-ratHkeale

ciaraMcMahon (SF)

richardo’donoghue (FF)

stephenkeary (FG)

MunicipaL DiStRict oF neWcastle West

liamgalvin (FG)

Michaelcollins (FF)

séamusbrowne (SF)

FrancisFoley (FF)

Johnsheahan (FG)

MunicipaL DiStRict oF caPPaMore-kilMallock

brigid teefy (NP)

lisa Mariesheehy (SF)

noelgleeson (FF)

Michaeldonegan (FF)

geraldMitchell (FG)

billo’donnell (FG)

THE 40 COUNCILLORSELECTED TO LIMERICK CITY ANDCOUNTY COUNCIL ARE:

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Jerome scanlan (FG)

MuniciPalcatHaoirleacH

tomneville (FG)

eddieryan (FF)

Michaelsheahan (FG)

cathaoirleach,kevinsheahan (FF)

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We are now merged as asingle authority since 1stJune. a big thank you to allstaff for the hard work andeffort put into the changeProcess so far. the last 2 yearshave been particularly busyfor staff in limerick. themerger required theintegration of people, policies,data, processes and systemsacross 500 services. the Local government Reformprogramme introduced newwork programmes, as outlinedacross, which staff haveintegrated into their individualdepartments. in addition, aspart of the creation of a neworganisation, staff are partic-ipating in the development andimplementation of 11innovation programmes asoutlined here. phew! it is achallenging and exciting timefor all of us working in Localgovernment. keep up thegood work!

cappaMoRe LiBRaRY & aRtS StuDioS: a successFul beginning

Planning

Environment

Emergency Services

Housing

Travel and Transport

Water & Waste Water

Community

Corporate

Human Resources

Finance

Information Technology

Economic Development

Local Economic Office (LEO)

Local Community DevelopmentCommittee (LCDC)

Regeneration

City of Culture

Irish Water

Procurement

Housing Assistance Payments(HAP)

Smarter Travel

Change Management

New Political Structures

Gateway Initiative

Audit Committee

Public Participation Network(PPN)

Customer Services

Service Catalogue (500 services)

Process Mapping & ServiceBlueprinting

Customer Relationship Management System (CRM)

Operational Divisions

Innovation Unit

Marketing Unit

Records Management

Communication

Data Protection

Information Systems – 102 Projects, 20 critical in 2014

11 integrationProgrammes!People, Policy, data,Processes, systems

12 new WorkProgrammes!

11 innovationProgrammes!

tHe Merger!

cappamore library & arts studios mayonly be open a few months but already1,200 members have registered andover 12,000 items have been issued.the new library is a milestone inlimerick city & county council’smission to make its frontline servicesmore accessible to the public. this isthe first library in limerick to be 100%self service and along with the librarythere are also four new arts studiosforming part of limerick city andcounty council’s ongoing strategy todevelop the cultural infrastructure oflimerick.

Left: Cappamore Library and Arts Studios

LiMeRick iS LeaDing the WaY– and You’re Part oF it

To win this month’s CouncilConnect hamper which featuressome special treats and a signedLimerick Hurlers GAA jersey pleaseanswer the following questions setbydeclan Mannion, communityDepartment!

1 What type of fruit is a cox's orange Pippin?

2 Who is the only player to have captained a winning team in both an english and scottish F.a. cup Final?

3 Which is the shortest street in limerick?

answers by 30 september tolaura.ryan@limerick.ie

Quiz

the limerick sports Partnership wasofficially launched this summerfollowing the amalgamation of the cityand county sports Partnerships in linewith local government reform.

cllr kevin Sheahan, cathaoirleach ofLimerick city and county councilcongratulated the Sports partnership forits work in increasing participation insporting and recreational activitiesthroughout Limerick.

irish Sports council ceo John treacyattended the launch and described theamalgamation of the Sports partnershipsas a "significant step towards developing aunified approach to increasingparticipation in sport in every communityacross Limerick".

he added: "Limerick has a proudsporting reputation but it is essential thatevery effort is made to ensure all sectionsof society are provided with opportunitiesto engage in recreational activities and toparticipate in sport. the city and countySports partnerships have over the yearshelped to increase participation levelsthroughout Limerick, and i have no doubtthat the pooling of their resources andexpertise will deliver dividends for the

people of Limerick in years to come."the launch event also featured

presentations to Limerick clubs who weresuccessful in applying for funding underthe LSp's club/community Links grantScheme. Supported by Limerick city andcounty council and the irish Sportscouncil, the once-off €50,000 grant

scheme saw funding being distributed todozens of local clubs to further developlinks with the community in which theyare based.

Meanwhile, the LSp has also launched anew website to give the people ofLimerick an online portal into sport andphysical activity www.limericksports.ie

aFrica Week (17th to 24th May)washeld in partnership with the integrationWorking group. this year marked the50th anniversary of the african unionand this theme was celebrated duringafrica Week. highlights of the weekincluded Sportsfest, the Symposium onpartners for growth – the relationshipbetween ireland and africa, the Soundsof africa concert and the Signatureconcert.

tHe national daY oFcoMMeMoration was held in thegrounds of Merchant’s Quay on Sunday,13th July, 2014. the national Day ofcommemoration ceremony is a multi-faith event, which honours all irishmenand irishwomen who died in past wars oron service with the united nations.

Pride oF Place is an annual all-islandcompetition run by co-operation irelandand sponsored by irish public Bodies, inconjunction with local authorities northand south of the border aiming torecognise and celebrate the vitalcontributions that communities make tosociety. Limerick was represented by fourparticipants: Feale Life, abbeyfeale, ecocommunity initiative category; Radharcna cille, kilmallock, housing estatescategory; kileely - urban neighbourhoodcategory and the c-Well project in kingsisland, community health initiative –physical activity category.Judging took place in July, 2014 withresults set to be announced innovember.

LiMeRick SpoRtS paRtneRShip iS oFFiciaLLY LauncheD

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coMMunitY DepaRtMent long Hot suMMer

Launching the newly merged Limerick Sports partnership

the community department of limerick city and county council have been veryactive over the summer months holding major events like africa Week, the nationalday of commemoration and Pride of Place.

africa Daycathaoirleach, cllr. kevin Sheahan laying

a wreath of remembrance Feal-Life, abbefeale, pride of place

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ouR neW online VoiceFollowing the amalgamation ofLimerick city council and Limerickcounty council, limerickcity.ie andlcc.ie have been replaced by onenew website,www.limerick.ie/council. our new website has become a partof Limerick.ie, the official websitefor Limerick with information onvisiting, living, learning and doing

business in the city and county. Limerick.ie is now a primaryfrontline service providingcustomers with up to dateinformation and access to conducttheir business online. Website training for nominatedmembers of staff from eachdepartment will be starting verysoon!

summer time

there is a sadness in the air, a winding down of summer’s Fare,

of walks on beaches speckled with gold, and idle moments with stories told,

of childhood days, when the world was new,

and we thought that youth was for the chosen few,

that days would not shorten, and summer decline,

and our hearts for those moments would never pine..

and now we are older, and wiser in our years,

and the balmy summer days quieten our fears,

that time is swiftly passing, and soon it’s back to strife,

in stuffy heated offices, and mundane daily life-

but maybe it will linger, this feeling of well-being,

and we’ll look beyond the hassle, and think of what has been,

glorious days of summer, memories held so dear,

reminding us those carefree times will come again next year.

terri o’Mahonycash office, Motor tax department

the Mobile Phone

on getting up each morning,

Be it with family or alone

Before they even dress themselves

they check their mobile phone.

they carry it with them through the day

no matter where they’re goin’,

Whether to the toilet or the office

they must have their mobile phone.

try to talk about the weather

or which way the wind is blowin’

they’ll always get their answer

From their handheld mobile phone.

in a cafe in the town

My heart just wants to moan

Watching children eat in silence

While Mammy checks her phone.

or maybe it’s the other way

and the habit has now grown

that junior plays his little games

on Mammy’s mobile phone.

conversation is no more

Just a sulky monotone

“haven’t time to talk right now

i’m on my mobile phone.”

Walking through the city

everyone is on their own

talking animatedly

on their mobile phones.

their friends may be beside them

But no companionship is shown

as they are all too busy

texting on their phone.

Modern technology is wonderful

But i never can condone

all this precious waste of time

on flashy mobile phones.

the dead must turn in their graves

and cry ochón ochón

‘i’ve nobody to talk to now

i never brought my mobile phone!’

Peg Prendeville glin library

PoetrY corner

in tHe ‘radio tiMes’, ourMatt Puts ‘tHe antiQuesroadsHoW’ in its Place!

Well done to the limerickregeneration team whose olderpersons accommodation in colivetcourt in southill won the bestHousing category at the 2014 irisharchitecture awards.limerick city and county council hasalso been shortlisted for three gongs inthe 11th annual chambers irelandexcellence in local governmentawards.

the council’s Business and Retailincentive Scheme, Limerick Smartertravel and the new public governancemodel created through the merger havebeen shortlisted. the awards will bepresented in the Ballsbridge hotel inDublin on thursday, 13th november.Fingers crossed!

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limerick Museum and archives (lM&a)have joined forces with the limerickleader newspaper to present a majorarchive of limerick during the 1970’s.this is a community archive containingover 25,000 images of daily life inlimerick.

to recognise this unique archive anexhibition has been created usingarchive images from the 1970’s withartistic responses from the students ofLSaD curated by Limerick Museum andarchives. this major exhibition titled‘From Limerick with Love’ is anaffectionate portrait of Limerick andwent on display in Shannon airport, inMarch 2014.

it comes into the city in September in2014 and will be on display in Merchant’s

Quay and the campus of LSaD.this is a Limerick city of culture fundedproject under the ‘Made in Limerick’strand.

FRoM LiMeRick With LoVecongrats!

an award-winning garden created forbloom 2014 has been re-created in thegrounds of limerick city and countycouncil in the heart of limerick to markthe city's status as ireland's first nationalcity of culture.

Designed by locally-based Drakehourigan architects and inspired byLimerick's built and cultural heritage, theLimerick cultural garden was a SilverMedal Winner at this year’s Bloom

Festival in Dublin where it was viewed byan estimated 100,000 people includingpresident Michael D. higgins andtaoiseach enda kenny, t.D.

over the past few weeks the showgarden has been re-created in thecourtyard area of the council’sMerchant’s Quay offices where it will beenjoyed by the people of Limerick andvisitors to the city as they make their wayto and from king John's castle.

bloom gardenrelocates toMerchant’sQuay as part ofcity of culture