A new wildlife area has been officially opened in Kilteely thanks to the vision and hard work of the local community.
The project involved the removal of an overgrown ditch and the development of a Community Wildlife Area with ground drainage, fencing and landscaping to provide a meandering level footpath.
In addition there is a grassed area, wildflower garden, trees and specific planting to support biodiversity and pollinator.
The ditch removal and provision of a stone wall has had a positive visible impact in the area and it completes the Tidy Towns ten-year plan to improve all four approach roads to the village.
The project was part funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The project was developed by Kilteely Tidy Towns with assistance from Limerick City and County Council and Ballyhoura Development.
The completed project has provided an area accessible to all and a sociable space for members of the community to meet each other and visitors to Kilteely village to enjoy.
Its location opposite the church and adjacent to the national school allows for adequate parking near the facility and an inviting space for all ages to visit.
Kilteely Tidy Towns have enhanced the final project with the addition of curved wooden seating, the inclusion of a large insect hotel, new entrance gates and additional planting.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Francis Foley said: “The renewal of our towns and villages is vitally important if we want to attract people to either remain in the locality or attract new residents. This project shows brilliantly the power of community, working in tandem with the local authority and agencies to provide much welcome public amenities.”
“Communities working together show that they can achieve their plans and Kilteely Tidy Towns has been working for years to improve their village and their hard work is paying off."
Pádraig Malone Community, Tourism and Culture Directorate, Limerick City and County Council said: “This is an excellent example of a community driven project undertaken by Kilteely Tidy Towns with full involvement by the people in the village. Kilteely are to be commended for creating this beautiful wildlife space to be enjoyed by all and I have no doubt it will be complementary to the successful community-led projects delivered by the village over the last number of years.”
John McCarthy, Co-ordinator and Treasurer of Kilteely Tidy Towns added: “This amenity means an awful lot to the community of Kilteely. We have planned for this and applied for the funding because we knew that it would of huge benefit to local people and visitors.”
“An awful lot of people have worked together over the last 12 months or so to ensure that we made the best possible use of the funding. The amenity is used by everyone, young and old; abled and less abled. We are delighted and it has become a showcase project, we have groups from other towns and villages coming to see the project and to get ideas about how they can improve and rejuvenate their places.