Deputy Mayor of Limerick City and County Council Cllr Gerald Mitchell and Gerry Boland of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation have launched the Limerick Going for Gold competition for 2019 in Kilteely. Representatives from last year’s winning groups Athea Tidy Towns and Kilteely Tidy Towns were on hand to assist with the launch.
Over €72,000 in grant aid has been distributed from the Limerick Going for Gold Environment Improvement Grant funding (50% funded by Limerick City and County Council and 50% funded by JP McManus Charitable foundation already this year). Grants ranged from €200 - €2,000 and assist groups with their environmental work and help with the overall aim of making Limerick a cleaner, brighter, place to work, live and visit.
This year the competition has had a mini overhaul following consultation with groups over the winter period. Over €60,000 will be distributed over six categories in this year’s competition:
- Tidy Towns Category – must have entered Tidy Towns 2019 national competition
- Limerick Bee Friendly in Bloom open to all Tidy Towns groups who have not won a prize in Tidy Towns category plus groups who did not enter Tidy Towns 2019 or do not have a group
- Champions Category must have won a previous challenge category or its equivalent
- Residential Areas - estates and similar areas
- Endeavour Award - Group that has come to the Judges attention and deemed worthy of an endeavour award
- Reuse Award - Limerick City and County Council sponsor this prize. It will be awarded to a group or organisation involved in Reuse.
- Best Front Garden Category - Sponsored by the Parkway Shopping Centre
Judges will consider the following - Litter control, general tidiness and upkeep, pollinator friendly planting, sustainable planting, overall impression, works undertaken/improvements from 2018 (if applicable). Where judges deem it necessary they will provide feedback. As in other years all aspects of the judges’ decisions will be final.
Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Gerald Mitchell said: “I am thankful to Limerick Going for Gold sponsors, the JP Mc Manus Charitable Foundation, and all of our supporters and friends of Going for Gold. I am delighted to see the positive impact that the Limerick Going for Gold grant and competition continues to have on communities across Limerick city and county.”
Gerry Boland from the JP Mc Manus Charitable Foundation added: “I am delighted with the longevity of Limerick Going for Gold. It is wonderful to see and hear the contribution it has made to the environment by helping communities to help themselves towards a cleaner, brighter place and that it also incorporates pollinator friendly planting. I can confirm that over €60,000, will be distributed in prizes this year with a top prize of €10,000 in the Tidy Towns Category and €5,000 in the Limerick ‘Bee Friendly’ in Bloom Category.”
Limerick Going for Gold is run by Limerick City and County Council with sponsorship from JP McManus Charitable Foundation and supported by Live 95FM, the Limerick Leader, Limerick Post, I Love Limerick, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns, Southern Media and Marketing Design and the Parkway Shopping Centre.