Limerick Blooms At 2009 Award Ceremony

32 communities from across County Limerick took part in the second annual competition, which is 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.

Organised by Limerick County Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, ‘Limerick In Bloom’ adjudication takes place during July and considers such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter.

Competition 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.

Category 1 was won this year by Ardagh Development Co. Ltd. (83 points) with Croagh Community Council (78 points) and Ardpatrick Tidy Towns (77 points) being named in second and third place respectively. Galbally Tidy Towns (80 points) claimed the overall prize in Category 2. Patrickswell Tidy Towns finished second (79 points), and Broadford Development Association Ltd and Foynes and District Community Council shared third position on 76 points. Meanwhile, Adare TidyTowns and Development Association (90 points) was named overall winner of Category 1 with Kilmallock Tidy Towns/Bruff Tidy Towns (both 70 points) and Hospital TidyTowns (68 points) being named in second and third place respectively.

Speaking at today’s awards ceremony, Councillor David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, said: "Limerick In Bloom is a celebration of community spirit, teamwork and awareness of the natural environment. It offers communities the opportunity to showcase the positive contribution that local groups make to enhance the appearance of towns and villages throughout the County. It also engenders a sense of community and pride of place."

He added: "The success of initiatives such as Limerick In Bloom is largely dependent on the participation of community groups and associations. The participation of 32 towns and villages in this year’s competition, up from 27 in 2008, is indicative of the high regard the people of Limerick have for the environment around them.

According to Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise, Limerick County Council: "Limerick In Bloom not only helps to make County Limerick a more attractive place to live in and visit, but it acts as a springboard for communities to consider taking part in other competitions such as TidyTowns or Pride of Place. It is heartening to see that the standards were extremely high again this year, which is a tribute to each of the participating communities and, of course, the organisers of the competition."

She added: "For many years, the concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened by the Local Authority. This has certainly been further enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in the Limerick In Bloom competition, both in 2008 and again in 2009."

Ms Cotter-Coughlan acknowledged the efforts of those who participated in and contributed to this year’s competition. "I wish to pay tribute to Shannon Development for their generous sponsorship of the competition. Special mention should be given to Limerick County Council staff members, particularly my colleagues in the Community and Enterprise Department, and the Council’s elected members who assisted participants across the County. I also wish to congratulate the 32 participants. Without their participation and contributions to the appearance of their respective communities, there would be no competition", Ms Cotter-Coughlan concluded.

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

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:
- Interviewees and detailed results from ‘Limerick In Bloom 2009’ are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of this evening’s ceremony will be issued to the media via Dunphy PR on Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
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