Two villages and two organisations that illustrate civic excellence in Limerick will don their county jersey and compete in the IPB Prideof Place Competition this summer.
The villages of Murroe and Broadford as well as the Limerick Youth Theatre and Liskennett Farm in Granagh have been selected as Limerick’s representatives in the annual competition this year.
The four were chosen to go forward after Limerick City and County Council earlier this year invited expressions of interest from local communities, projects or housing estates who wished to be nominated for the competition.
The all-island competition, which is run in conjunction with local authorities North and South, aims to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions that communities make to society along with generating awareness, respect and inclusion for every facet ofsociety. Judging takes place between June and August.
Limerick has an impressive track record in the competition, with Kilteely having received a first-place award last year, C-Well Kings Island taking a Special Award in 2014 and Castleview Residents Association, Newcastlewest in 2013. Previous runners-up in the competition include Scanlon Park, Castleconnell last year and Radharc na Cille, Kilmallock, Moyross Residents Forum and Limerick Youth Service.
Limerick Youth Theatre will this year fly the flag in the ‘Community Arts Initiative – City category’, with Broadford Development Association selected in the 0-300 and Murroe in the 1,000 to 2,000 population categories. Liskenett Farm was chosen for the ‘Communities Reaching Out Initiative’ grouping.
Congratulating the four projects/organisations on their nomination to compete in the 32 county competition, Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Liam Galvin said, “Right across Limerick, week in week out, we see examples of inspirational communities that espouse everything that this competition is about. There’s a fantastic sense of civic spirit in Limerick, with communities like these showing exactly what can be achieved.”
Pat Dowling, Director of Services, Limerick City and County Council, said “We have an excellent record in this competition and based on the entries that came through this year, we have no doubt but Limerick will again be asking questions of the judges and putting its best foot forward.”
Murroe
Murroe Community Council, a voluntary organisation with over 30 members, was set up to develop the social and cultural life ofMurroe. It works closely to develop new ways of catering for the broad spectrum of ages, abilities and interests within this community, which has expanded significantly in population over the past decade or so.
The Community Council’s achievements include launching of social media sites and a community text system, the organisation of a number of festivals emphasizing local talent and resources and the establishment of facilities for both young and elderly citizens.
Broadford Development Association
The south Limerick village of Broadford is situated in an area that has, in recent times, suffered a number of factory closures, particularly in the poultry processing sector, including Castlemahon and Kantoher, as well as the amalgamation of large dairy factories.
For the past 30 years the Broadford Development Association has undertaken a number of projects to maintain the cohesion of this rural community, including re-development of the national school for use as a community centre; development of sheltered housing with day care facility; development of community crèche; development of an arboretum and millennium garden; upgrading ofcommunity facilities The Enterprise Centre was completed in 2011 and the playground was developed in 2013. In 2014, the upgrading and re-routing of the rural walks including signage took place.
Liskennett Day & Residential Service
Liskennett is a new development for children and adults with Autism and was officially opened in September 2015. It incorporates an Equestrian Centre/open farm, a day-centre and residential service.
The Equestrian Centre/open farm is committed to improving and enriching the lives and opportunities of over 900 children and adults with autism/learning disability, while working in partnership with the local community to provide a multi-purpose facility for their needs. The main features of the Equestrian Centre will include Equine Assisted Learning, equestrian care, horse riding, training and occupational work. The day programme offered in Liskennett includes Arts and Crafts, Gardening, Equine Therapy, Hill Walking, Multi- Sensory, Music Therapy, as well as swimming at St. Joseph’s Foundation.
Residential/Respite accommodation comprises of 16 apartments, within four complexes, The Community Apartments, The Farmhouse Apartments, The Stable Apartments and The Courtyard Apartments. The development is designed to give a Step In, Step Down and Step Out model of service.
There is also a Limerick Clare Educational Training Board (LCETB) sponsored Fetac Level 5 Educational Programme in Learning Disabilities for local people who may wish in the future to work in the Disability Sector.
Limerick Youth Theatre
Limerick Youth Theatre (LYT) is a company of young performers, dancers, writers, designers, directors, producers and film-makers. LYT was set up in 1997 with a vision of providing a unique opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to cross social/cultural divides through youth drama experiences. It runs a two-year training course in theatre and performance arts.
A collaborative project between members of LYT and the Daughters’ of Charity (DOC), Limerick, called ‘The Creative Show’ started six years ago. The project enables people to pursue their individual life goals, create opportunities for social inclusion and provide opportunities for young people to develop their talent in the performing arts. DOC Service Limerick was the first to establish day services in Limerick City for adults with intellectual disabilities. This collaboration aims to develop sustainable networks and build links in the service user’s local community. The creative show has allowed all involved to learn, develop and grow together.
