Community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses are being invited to attend the official launch of the inaugural ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’ and ‘Priming Grants Scheme’ at the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 7pm on Monday, 18th February 2008.

The launch will form part of a Limerick County Council/Shannon Development-hosted workshop, entitled ‘Working to Win - Supporting Tidy Towns in County Limerick’, at which the ‘2008 Tidy Towns Competition’ will also be launched. 

The event will feature presentations from some of Ireland’s best-known wildlife and environmental experts including Mr. Eamonn de Staffort, National Tidy Towns Adjudicator & International Adjudicator of Entente Florale – ‘Tidy Towns Adjudicator’s Perspective’; Ms. Eanna Ní Lamhna, National Environment Personality  - ‘Tidy Towns: A Part of a Vibrant Natural Environment’; and Mr. David McLoughlin, Head of Tidy Towns Unit, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government – ‘Department Plans, Rules & Regulations re. The 2008 Tidy Towns Competition’.

Speaking ahead of the information event, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, said, “As a publicly elected representative, I am cogently aware of the high regard the people of Limerick have for the environment around them. Therefore, it is incumbent on Limerick County Council to support the county’s growing number of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in enhancing the appearance of their communities.”

“One of Limerick County Council’s key objectives is to develop and strengthen the concept of promoting community involvement in environmental initiatives. This objective will be furthered with the launch of the ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’ and the ‘Priming Grants Scheme’.  I would urge all local groups with an interest in protecting and improving the local environment to attend the upcoming workshop”, added the Cathaoirleach.

Commenting on the launch of the 50th annual Tidy Towns Competition, Councillor Sheahan stated, “I would like to congratulate all participants from Limerick who have done their county proud down through the years and, in fact, during the last half-century. I would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts made by new entrants to the competition and urge each new committee to retain the motivation to keep going and recruit more volunteers.”

Limerick County Council, meanwhile, has described the newly developed ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’ 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, which takes place from mid-July to mid-August, considers such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter.  Categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category of EUR1100, EUR550 EUR300 respectively
 
The purpose of the Priming Grant Scheme is to allow Limerick County Council to contribute financially to local groups that carry out environmental work.  Grant aid of up to a maximum of EUR500 must be used for the purpose of purchasing trees, shrubs, brushes, shovels, street furniture and other incidental items that are required to carry out the maintenance and improvement works.

The closing date for receipt of applications for both schemes is 4pm Friday, 30th May 2008.

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

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITOR:
- Members of the media are invited to attend the information event.  Photograph and interview opportunities will be provided. 
- Further information is available from Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Directions for Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel (Take N21 from Limerick, turn left at roundabout before Adare)

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)