44 Limerick Communities To Bloom This Summer

June 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Limerick County Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, have hosted the competition since 2008 as 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.

Judging will take place this year from July 8 to 12.  

Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Chair of the Social, Cultural and Community Development SPC welcomed the increase in the number of participating communities to 44 this year, up from 35 in 2010.

He added: “The increase in participants is testament to the pride of place that exists among individuals and community groups in County Limerick.  They have recognised that Limerick In Bloom offers them a unique opportunity to showcase the positive contribution that they make to the overall enhancement of their localities. The tourism potential of County Limerick is also enhanced through their participation in the competition.”

“I wish each participating community the best of luck in the final stages of the competition”, he added.

The judging panel includes Mr. Eamonn De Stafort, who is a member of the International Entente Florale Jury.

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.

Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community and Enterprise, added that the concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened over the years by Limerick County Council.

“This concept has further been enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in the ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’, since its inception in 2008.  I would like to congratulate each and every community who has participated in the competition for demonstrating their commitment to further enhancing the appearance of their respective towns and villages”, she added.

“I would like to acknowledge the support shown by Shannon Development in developing the Limerick in Bloom competition.  Limerick County Council is also appreciative of the work carried out by the members of the Limerick In Bloom judging panel. Their expertise in the areas of environmental awareness, civic pride and community work has proven to be invaluable to all participating towns and villages”, she concluded.

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

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITOR:
-   For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com