The Parish Voice

Parish

THE

Friday, December 3, 2010

Vol: III, No: II

VOICE

FEATURES: Social exclusion Page 13

NEWS: Demolition continues Page 2

The Voice of the Island

SPORT: Sport Rugby Youth or GAA hurling link Funding Page 15 Page 15

Horses of St Mary’s taken in crackdown

By Amie Nic Giolla Phadraig & Ross Burke

WOLF IN CAR’S CLOTHING: One of Ptolemy Elrington’s potential sculptures to be displayed on the Island Bank Walk in St Mary’s Park.

Multi-million euro fund in doubt for the Parish

By Annemaria O’Reilly

THE arrival of the International Monetary Fund, and next week’s Budget have cast fresh doubts over the multimillion euro funding announcement for King John’s Castle and Nicholas St. Local residents have voiced concerns about the uncertainty of a €4.8m development fund, which was announced six weeks ago.

The plans are part of a proposal to turn Limerick into a major tourist destination. As part of the overall proposals, some of the derelict units in Nicholas St would be converted to shops, specifically aimed at tourists.

Independent councillor John Gilligan welcomed the announcement of fund-

ing, which would provide additional employment and boost trade for retailers. However, he said that this fund could just be another “pipe dream” in that, it may not come to fruition.

The announced €4.8m was not “in any place” and did not provide sufficient details to confirm when it would be granted, he said.

Cllr Gilligan said that the tourism aspirations developed in the early 1990s have not been fulfilled for St Mary’s Parish.

He cited the example of King John’s Castle taking a leaf out of the Bunratty Castle success story.

The Castle Lane Tavern was built using the example of Durty Nelly’s Pub in Bunratty, which they hoped

would develop into a popular tourist destination.

However, Castle Lane Tavern closed in 2004 due to lack of business activity, he said. Cllr Gilligan said, “King’s John Castle was not a priority (for Shannon Development), it has always been Bunratty Castle.” The combined Castle and Tavern project was a “commercial failure”, he added.

It is understood that the derelict Castle Lane Tavern is still in the ownership of the State which is now “a home to pigeons”, according to Cllr Gilligan.

Local businesses have welcomed the proposal and said it would provide a much needed boost for the area.

Continued on page 3

Former Limerick Mayor John Gilligan.

Dozens of unlicensed horses have been seized in dawn raids in St Mary’s Park as part of a major crackdown

by Limerick City Council and the gardaí.

While the move has been met with stiff opposition by local residents, the council says it is enforcing legislation and has pledged to continue to clamp down on unlicensed horses and ponies.

125 horses have been impounded in Limerick between January and September this year, at a cost of over €175,000. Fifteen of these were taken from St Mary’s Park. A further 19 horses have been seized in the past three months, representing an almost four fold increase in the number of horses seized in this area.

All of the expenses of the operation are reclaimed from the Department of Agriculture by Limerick City Council.

Locals are angered by the manner in which the animals were seized.

Local resident Peter McNamara, whose nephew’s pony was seized two weeks ago, said “I can get the deeds to land, I can get sworn affidavits, I just can’t get the money. If they would come to some arrangement, I’d buy the horse back; it’s the only thing that keeps him happy. It’s all kids’ horses and ponies they’re taking.”

Another resident who did not wish to be named said: “The council and gardaí are “coming in here at 12 o’clock at night to seize the horses.

They’re trying to get rid of the horses just like they’re trying to get rid of the people out of here.”

A spokesman for the Environmental Department of Limerick City Council has indicated that the issue of unlicensed horses is being taken seriously and told the Parish Voice “enforcement will get stronger over the coming months.”

Limerick gardaí refused to comment on the story.

Continued on page 2

2 | NEWS

inside Page 4

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Voice of St Mary’s Park is nowhere near unified

By Peter Downey

cctv: Council clamp down on fly tipping

Page 11 senator: David Norris in the frame

Page 16 star ROVERS: New astro pitch planned Parish Voice Newsroom, University of Limerick Co Limerick www.ul.ie/journalism

Editor Sean Keane Deputy Editor Amie Nic G. Phadraig News Editors Aoife Dowling John Kent Features Editor Danielle Eriksson Arts & Entertainment Editor Sally McLoughlin Chief Sub Editor Emma Neilan Sports Editor Derrick Lynch Design Editor Ross Burke Pictures Editor Peter Downey

Members of two of the three main residents’ committees on King John’s Island met for the first time last week to discuss regeneration issues.

With three residential committees in the area, the Greater King’s John Island Residents Association; the St Mary’s Park Residents Association; and the Verdant Crescent Residential Committee, many residents believe that they do not have a strong voice in Limerick City Council.

Greater King John’s Island Chairman Tom Collopy said: “We’re after

finding an element of divisiveness creeping in. We don’t sit on the regeneration committee down there.

“We have applied three times and we have been knocked on the head three times, we don’t know why.

“The general consensus is that there is an element of social apartheid being practised here. The problems of St Mary’s Park wouldn’t be allowed to happen anywhere else,” he said.

Mr Collopy also said that all he wants for the future of St Mary’s Park and the Greater King John’s Island is “a strong voice from a

residential perspective”.

The Regeneration Project has a strong presence at St Mary’s Park Residents Committee meetings.

James O’Brien, a member of the St Mary’s Park Residents Association, also believes that St Mary’s Park is neglected by the City Council.

He said: “There is nothing down there, I have asked for a playground or something, but there’s nothing down there kids.”

Mr O’Brien also expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the estate.

He and other members of the residential committees told the Parish

Voice that 30 people’s water had been cut off sinceChristmas 2009; caused by the collapse of old lead piping set down when the estates were first constructed in the 1930s.

He said he was happy with the representation provided by the St Mary’s Park Resident’s Committee but feels like more could be done to help residents.

“I don’t think anyone is happy down here at the moment,” he added.

The independent monitoring group, Limerick Regeneration Watch, have also commented on the lack of solidarity in St Mary’s Park.

€20k cost to knock houses

By Aoife Dowling

THOUSANDS of euro is being spent in the demolition of houses in St Mary’s Park since the Regeneration Project started.

It costs €20,000 to demolish each house, because the surrounding houses need to be supported and insulated.

Knocking blocks of houses at a time would save a substantial amount of revenue.

Head engineer of demolition Thomas Kelly said “If we wait for a block to become available to knock we will lose our funding... demolition is funded on a yearly basis”.

Demolition in St Mary’s Park began in May 2009, which only saw the demolition of five houses.

Since Thomas Kelly was appointed in September 2010, 24 houses have been demolished.

However Mr Kelly is not confident that this rate of demolition will continue, as up to now only houses owned

by Limerick City Council have been knocked. Problems are expected to arise when the demolition of private housing begins.

Residents of St Mary’s Park have expressed their concern at the low cost they are being offered for their houses by the Regeneration Agency.

The average price being offered to house owners in the area is €35,000.

“The houses are valued on the open market, it is the only fair and reasonable approach,” said Mr Kelly.

The Regeneration Agency has not

St Mary’s Park is at the mercy of the demolition project, thousands are wasted every time a house is knocked.

issued compulsory purchase orders to owners of private houses, although they have not ruled it out in the future.

The demolition process has been widely blamed for water shortages, electricity cuts and cable outages, as they are the only entity doing work.

“The area has always had issues with

water, due to the old houses and the neglect they have suffered. We will replace the old existing water system” said Mr Kelly.

Regeneration has also received numerous complaints regarding the 7am start of demolition work.

The early start is attributed to the

Pic: Ross Burke

heavy flow of traffic from 8am onwards, the head engineer said. €337m in funding has been appointed to the Regeneration process, which will be distributed over four areas in Limerick including St Mary’s Park. The project will receive yearly funding for the next four years.

From the Park to the horse pound Continued from page 1 According to Limerick City Council, horse licences can be bought for €31.74, provided that the conditions of the licence are met by the owner of the horse.

The horse owners in St Mary’s Park are denied the ability to buy horse licences because they live within the city limits. Many owners believe that there is “No such thing as a licence”.

To get back an animal from the impound company; the owner must pay a fee of €962.

Further daily fees apply for the cost of feeding and housing the animals.

The fees usually amount to multiples of the value of the animal.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Maurice Quinlivan said; “The qualifications you need for the horse licenses are too difficult for most people to meet”.

However Councillor Quinlivan

acknowledged; “St Mary’s Park is one of the best areas for taking care of their horses.”

A deal was brokered by Local Independent Councillor John Gilligan with Limerick City Council on behalf of the residents.

The green area at the back of St Mary’s Park, the Island field was designated as an area on which residents could keep their horses.

However an issue arose after this area

was exploited as an illegal dumping ground and the deal was subsequently abandoned.

Cllr Gilligan said, “The back field was left open; it was being used as a dumping ground rather than an area for horses.

Those horses can’t be walking around freely on the roads. I always supported the idea of a horse project in St Mary’s Park. I got the money for it through the rapid programme.”

NEWS | 3

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Community project sets sails after 10 years

By Claire Quinn

St Mary’s Maritime Project, which is aimed at creating jobs for young people from the Island, has built Limerick’s first ship yard.

The project is an initiative by St Mary’s Community Development Project (CDP), which aims to provide a legitimate outlet for early school

leavers.

Early dropout rates are a major problem on the Island with only 25 per cent of males continuing on to leaving cert level.

St Mary’s CDP took possession of the MV Posidonia in 2000, after a drug seizure by the Defence forces.

The 70ft vessel, which had fallen into disrepair, became the main focus of the maritime project.

Today, the project has expanded; it boasts a number of smaller boats which the school leavers will train on before working on the Posidonia.

The project facility, located on the Dock Road, will provide employment for nine early school leavers from the Island, as part of Local Training Initiative under the President’s Initiative.

Project spokesman Seany Quinlivan said the MV Posidonia will be a major

asset for the Island. He hopes work on the vessel will be complete within two years.

“When the vessel is finished it will be used as a passenger boat, which will bring continued employment to the parish,” he said.

Dan Hegarty representative of the project said funding for the initiative proved to be difficult, as it has taken the project a decade to get where it is today.

He praised all the organisations who have donated to the project so far.

“Without regeneration or JP McManus, we would have got rid of the project a long time ago,” Hegarty said.

Funding to set up the yard and to develop an office, accommodation, a workshop and a class room was provided by the RAPID programme using the Dormant Accounts fund.

Students add another string to their bow

By Emma Neilan

St Mary’s Boys School performed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra as part of the ‘Sing Out With Strings’ programme at a concert held last night.

The ‘Sing Out With Strings’ project provides instrumental tuition, which enables pupils to develop life skills in communication, concentration and teamwork.

The project, sponsored by the Limerick Regeneration, has provided violin lessons for the 98 pupils in St Mary’s Boys School for the past four weeks.

School Community Co-ordinator, Ann Breen, said that the project has had several positive effects on the school.“The whole atmosphere in the school when the lessons are going on is fantastic,” she said.

Ms Breen added that the parents of the children are “thrilled” with the benefits of the project and that attendance has improved. Ms Breen said that the project’s success was down to the influence of violin teacher Gillian Mott. “Gillian has them eating out of her hands,” she laughed.

Deputy Principal Jacinta MacNamara said that the teachers have also received lessons and took part in the concert alongside their pupils.

It was decided that the teachers would also learn how to play violin in order to represent the school’s commitment to the pupils and to the project.

“It’s great for the children to see us stepping in and learning too,” she said.

Ms MacNamara is pleased with the positive results which the violin lessons have had on the boys.

“It has brought out this respect in them with the instruments. Not one has been broken,” she added.

The boys receive lessons five times a week from Canadian violin tutor Gillian Mott who moved to Ireland in 2009.

Ms Mott makes the classes more appealing to the boys by blending hip hop beats with the classical music to help keep them interested in the instrument.

She added that their concentration was improving every week and that the project was a huge success.

Right: Violinist Gillian Mott teaching 4th class students in St Mary’s Boys School.

Locals doubt promises of €4.8 million regeneration fund for St Nicholas Street and King Johns Castle. Pic: Peter Downey

Parish funding under threat Continued from page 1 Pat Flynn of Stix Leisure Centre said it would be a huge boost if the €4.8 million was allocated but called for clarity as to when this money would be available.

He added that residents of St Mary’s Park were used to announcements being made without detailed plans to support them.

Mr Flynn said, “It was normal to announce €5 million for Nicholas Street but I have no breakdown on how this money is to be spent.”

John Costello of Bygones Antiques called for the announcement to have a more detailed plan of action. “It needs to have more meat on the bone,” Mr Costello said.

“It needs to have a root and branch approach. I hope it will not be another false dawn for Nicholas Street businesses,” according to Mr Costello.

Fianna Fáil TD, Willie O’Dea said St Mary’s Parish is included in Government plans, and it is part of the multi-million Regeneration plans for Limerick.

Mr O’Dea said that the €4.8 million development fund would bring “an expected 100,000 annual visitors” to the area.

4 | NEWS

IN BRIEF Bridge fear

Councillors are sceptical on whether the bridge proposal, included in the master plan, will ever become a reality.

Independent councillor John Gilligan said, “I looked at two master plans; one which was drawn up by Limerick City Council and most of it was taken up by regeneration. It was an absolute and total fantasy.

It was never going to happen under any circumstances.

“You cannot build a bridge connecting St. Mary’s Park to Moyross.

If you do it, you are passing one of the widest parts of the channel in Limerick. I do not think anyone ever believed that this was going to happen,” he said.

School praises LCA program St Mary’s Secondary school has seen a 2 per cent increase in the amount of students completing education to leaving certificate level this year.

School completions officer Lorraine Kennedy said that the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme running in the school has impacted positively on the increase. The LCA programme is focused around practical work and continuous assessment as an alternative to the exam based Leaving Certificate.

Student grants St Mary’s Park third level students are now eligible to avail of the Limerick Community Based Education Initiative which assists the youths of regeneration areas.

The scheme encourages and supports young people from Moyross, Southill and now St Mary’s Park during their college education, so they can reach their full educational potential.

Third level students from the designated communities, receive support grants from LCBEI each term they meet to discuss their college related issues and provide each other a network of peer support. The programme based in Roxboro, is in operation since 1991. It has aided more than 250 students in completing their third level education.

Centre’s birthday St Mary’s Parish centre is celebrating its 300th birthday this year. Originally built in 1710 it was occupied as a town house by the Ingram, Arthur and Carr families.

From 1847 to 1982 it was the Presbytery for St Mary’s parish.

It was restored to its former glory in 1989 as a parish centre, and has been in use ever since.

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

It’s raining men in St Mary’s Parish

By Ross Burke and Danielle Eriksson

A “MEN’S SHED” initiative is to be opened by Munster rugby star Paul Warwick in January 2011.

It is organised by St Mary’s Adult Community Education Group which hopes to get men of all ages back into education.

The concept, which is based on an Australian model, aims to encourage men to get involved in hands-on learning activities. These kinds of activities are generally a social outlet for men who wish to build, learn, or even just chat over a cup of tea.

Projects planned include motorcycle dismantling, carpentry and other practical activities.

The uptake has been positive with 45 men registered to take part prior

to its launch.

The initiative is currently based in St Munchin’s Church on King’s Island and will then move to its permanent base at St Mary’s Adult Community Education Complex.

Christy Flanagan, a member of the Men’s Shed initiative, believes that this project will bring men in the area back to education. “We are hoping that this project will offer men an opportunity to access education as well

as availing of a social outlet.

“So far, men of all ages have signed up to take part in this project. We are hoping that the older more experienced men will pass their knowledge onto the younger members and act as role models to some degree,” he said.

Finance for the workshop has been provided by Rapid and the Limerick Regeneration Agency. The initiative will be funded by participants with a €2 weekly charge.

“People often see cameras as a solution, whereas if somebody is dumping then you should pick up the phone and ring the confidential line of the local authority.

“If you see the areas now, people say it is the cleanest it has been in 10 years. There is a particular black spot; it is going to cost a lot of money to get rid of it,” said Mr Kenny.

Local Labour councillor Gerry

McLoughlin said the estate was badly neglected for the past 15 years. Daily litter picking has improved the area.

However he said that over half of the residents do not have wheelie bins, and as a result a lot of dumping has taken place.

Major progress has been made in St Mary’s Park, but the removal of waste remains a major task, Limerick City Council will start the second stage of

investigation, of the waste in the back field next week.

Six bore holes will be drilled in the waste to determine the amount on site.

The council hopes that this area will be cleared after Christmas, when the final stage of investigation is complete.

Council use CCTV to wage war on illegal dumping

By Claire Quinn

Limerick City Council is planning to install more cameras in the city and the King’s Island area, in a bid to decrease illegal dumping in black spot areas.

Senior Executive Officer of the Environment Department, Paul Foley, said installing CCTV cameras will lead to successful prosecutions under the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001, and fines up to €3,000 can be imposed.

The so-called ‘back field’ in St Mary’s Park is a major black spot for illegal dumping on the Island. Mr Foley said the council is working with various groups in St Mary’s Park to tackle illegal dumping in the estate and the back field in particular.

Brian Thompson of St Mary’s Park Environmental Group praised the City Council and residents for their continuing efforts in cleaning up the area.

“The reduction of litter came from working with the Council and from the community employment scheme.

The back field, however, is a serious environmental hazard,” he said.

Mr Thompson said while cameras have some uses they are limited in dealing with the overall problem. “If people knew the area was monitored, they would simply dump somewhere that is not,” he said.

Brendan Kenny, CEO of the Limerick Regeneration Agency, said cameras give people a sense of security but do not stop crime.

Above: Rubbish strewn accross back field in St Mary’s Park.

New crèche to cater for over 40 kids

By Roisin Flanagan

April 2011 will see the opening of a new crèche in St Marys Park.

It will create employment for at least four more members of staff from the Island.

The new crèche, which is currently under construction, is adjacent to the Kings Island Community centre and will cater for up to 40 children daily.

The child care facility has been earmarked for development since 2007.

Funding has been provided by Pobail, the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and other contributors including JP McManus.

The current crèche is situated within

the community centre and caters for twenty six children between two rooms.

It holds two daily sessions of childcare, and currently employs four childcare workers.

Manager of the Kings Island community crèche, Deirdre McMann says “There is always a waiting list for our childcare service, particularly for babies. Our current crèche simply does not have the facilities to accommodate large numbers of infants. The new crèche will allow us to take on more infants, with four rooms, a kitchen and a large dining hall which will be used for activities and as a dining area for all infants to come together and eat lunch.”

The new establishment will run a full day care service, and hold a baby room for infants up to twelve months, a wobbler room, a toddler room and a transition room for children who have turned three years old.

Ms McMann said that she is “beyond excited” about the new crèche and is extremely happy with the progress made.

“They appear to be doing a fantastic job and are moving very quickly with the development,” she said.

The four future employees are currently undergoing their training as FETAC certified childcare assistants in St Mary’s Adult Education Centre.

NEWS | 5

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Nicholas St drugs scourge Head

By Annemaria O’Reilly and Sean Keane

THE combination of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour has left people feeling unsafe on St Mary’s Nicholas Street, according to locals.

St Mary’s Parish was once a thriving community, but has developed into an area blighted by drugs and crime from the beginning of the 1980s to the present day.

The 2007 Fitzgerald Report, commissioned by Government, concluded that the issue of criminality needed to be addressed in the area.

The local community viewed the report as ambitious but achievable for the area at that time.

They now believe the implementation of the report is vital for the future of St Mary’s Park.

Mike Treacy of the Centra foodstore on Nicholas Street said locals were

worried about the issue.

“I have witnessed drug dealing in the area. People do not feel safe,” he said.

He said the installation of CCTV systems has not done much for the area as businesses continue to dilapidate due to the illegal activity.

Drug dealing, allied to anti-social behaviour, was intimidating customers, who now feel they have no option but to shop elsewhere, he added.

Pat Flynn of Stix Leisure Centre on Nicholas Street said, “People are now taking the longer circle, walking the Island road in their attempt to by-pass Nicholas Street.”

Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan has called for a regeneration plan that will be implemented for one of Limerick’s more impoverished areas.

She said a plan for change in itself is not enough.

“There needs to be the will and the support to achieve its aims,” she

said.

“St Mary’s Park is one of the more impoverished areas in Limerick city that has suffered from anti-social behaviour and high crime rates including gun and knife violence,” she added.

Deputy O’Sullivan said, “There are a number of people who are engaged in criminal and drugs activities.”

Those involved in crime have a very negative effect on the community and the strongest possible measures need to be taken against them.

“The rule of fear has to be broken.

Children have to be protected from drugs and those who are already hooked need help,” she said.

The Limerick East TD added that detox programmes must be made available for drug addicts, as this would play a key role in the fight against crime in Limerick.

Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea said he had every faith in An Garda Síochána in dealing with crime and drugs in St.

Mary’s Parish.

“Since the armed response unit arrived into the area, the situation has improved significantly,” Deputy O’Dea said.

Limerick’s HSE Co-ordinator for Drugs and Alcohol Services, Rory Keane noted the “sustained increases in drug use across the city.”

He reiterated Mr O’Dea’s stance referring to the, “very active and successful Garda Drugs Unit in Limerick”.

Independent councillor John Gilligan said, “Drugs are a major problem in the area. We are determined as a community to fight against this crime.”

He added that legislation was important in overcoming social problems.

“The right to eviction should be brought in. Legislation is not the problem, implementation is,” according to Cllr Gilligan.

At the time of going to press the Garda Press Office declined to release figures in relation to the drug activities in St Mary’s Park.

Residents remember deceased through a solemn candlit service

By Ross Burke

Up to 150 residents of St Mary’s Park lit candles and observed a minute’s silence on Friday November 19 to remember loved ones who have passed away in recent years.

A patch-work quilt consisting of 54 individual hand-stitched sections took pride of place at the service.

The service organised by the St Mary’s Women’s group was held in the youth centre and included hymns, prayers, poems and readings. Many friends and family expressed thanks to the group members.

Women’s group member Olive Butler said, “Each of the patches represents a person from this area that has tragically passed away in recent times.”

Local Priest Fr Kirwin who lives

in St Mary’s Park said that the quilt represents mainly young people.

“Each patch contains the initials of the person as well as an image to symbolise a pastime or activity which reminds their families of them,” he said.

Ms Butler said she was pleased with the service. “I was delighted with the turnout and hopefully even more will come next year.”

The Group also arranges activities for young people in St Mary’s park including field trips and fun days.

Money is raised through raffles and other fundraising as well as contributions from the Regeneration Agency.

Above: St Mary’s women’s group with their remembrance quilt

butt an isolated incident

By John Kent

St Mary’s Boys School should not fear being stigmatised in the wake of last week’s incident in which the school principal was head butted by a student.

That’s according to President of the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) Pat Goff, wh o said the assault is not a reflection of the school.

Principal Geraldine Wallace a long time resident of nearby Assumpta Park was assaulted last Monday November 22 by a nine-year-old boy as she leaned in to speak to him over a disciplinary issue and subsequently received a headbutt which left her with a broken nose.

The child has since been suspended from school.

The IPPN is an independent association representing over 5,100 principals and deputy principals across the country. Mr Goff said this week that this type of incident is uncommon and is not indicative of St Mary’s Boys School, or indeed of Limerick as a whole. It is just as likely to occur in a rural area he added, citing a previous similar case in Co Cavan.

“Thankfully this type of incident is quite rare. Usually the worst we would deal with is a junior or senior infant lashing out, out of frustration rather than out of any desire for malicious intent. There is no apparent trend or increase in incidents,” he said.

Every school would deal with this type of issue in adherence with their code of conduct, and in concurrence with their disciplinary procedure and each case would usually be dealt with on a case by case basis by the schools disciplinary board. Issues such as malicious intent and prior incidents would all be taken into account when the incident is being considered.

Mr Goff said that although this incident is sporadic in its nature, it does however perhaps point towards a growing trend and acceptance of violence in our society which was not apparent ten or twenty years ago.

He added that the Government has placed a recruitment cap on SNA’s so if additional support is required the assistant will be transferred another area rather than additional staff being recruited.

This means that more and more children may not receive the level of care and support they require. Which means further incidents could unfortunately become unavoidable.

Limerick TD and Labour spokesperson on health Jan O’Sullivan echoed these thoughts. “St Mary’s Boys School is a great school and I hope this will not have a negative impact on it. This incident points towards a growing level of violence in our society and a national response is needed,” she said.

Central to this was keeping school and social services as intact as possible in the coming years as the county face’s into uncertain waters, she added.

6 | BUSINESS

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Medieval structure halts €300,000 offer for site

By Annemaria O’Reilly Business Editor

AN offer of almost €300,000 for a property that has been abandoned for more than 17 years has not been accepted by Limerick City Council.

Visitors to the area are afforded the opportunity to see first hand a medieval fireplace situated in the Council site on Nicholas’s main street.

A potential development site of 0.152 acres, at the junction of Nicholas St and Peter St, has aroused much speculation for local businesses in the area. The site was demolished in 1992 under The Derelict Sites Act 1990.

Limerick City Council said the site was originally purchased under a Compulsory Planning Order in the 1990s.

John Costello of Bygones Antiques said the property was purchased during the boom time.

Mr Costello said, “The site is greatly unsightly for the area. The Derelict Sites Act is not being implemented around here.”

He called on the Council to take down the fireplace, to allow for construction to commence on the site.

Proprietor of Rooney Auctioneers, Pat Kearney, said, “It has been for sale for over 17 years. It has potential to be a very profitable retail site for investors.”

Mr Kearney said that an offer of €293,000 was made for the site. When asked why this offer had not been accepted, he said, “It is subject to planning as it is a protected structure.

“Technical issues are associated with the site,” he added.

Independent councillor John Gilligan said there is now a crumbing medieval wall with carved stones within the fireplace at the site on Nicholas St. “The two carved stones of the medieval fireplace have no historical significance,” he said.

Mr Gilligan said developers and interested parties are being forced to work around the hindrance.

He understands that three interested parties drew up plans for the site but these plans did not go to development.

He explained that this was due to the

costing and the obstruction of the wall, which is a protected structure.

Mr Gilligan said the medieval fireplace is not worth preserving on Nicholas Street when it hinders much needed business development.

Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan said, “The site has been there for many years with no action and it must simply be done.

“The historic fireplace needs to be moved so that the site can be developed,” she said.

She called on Shannon Development and the City Council to engage with the local interests to maximise business

potential for the area.

Pat Flynn of Stix Leisure Centre on Nicholas Street said, “The balance of the fireplace needs to be weighed against the balance of the area.

“If the site was redeveloped, it might bring back business to the area,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Nicholas Street Traders Association said a realistic approach is needed for the development of businesses in the area.

Above: The derelict council site at the Nicholas Street/Peter Street junction

FRESH calls have been made for Limerick City Council to revitalise plans for the regeneration of Nicholas St to incorporate an audit of all existing buildings.

This would include details of future plans for the buildings, with a development plan to restore them.

Nicholas St, the centre of St Mary’s Parish, is located minutes from one of Ireland’s busiest cities. However, it no longer presents as an attractive part of the city, having continued to deteriorate over the past 15 years.

According to Mike Treacy of the Centra foodstore, Nicholas St was akin to Temple Bar some 15 years ago.

Sadly, all hopes for its development have since died as derelict buildings are now a prominent feature, he said.

“Business is tough, it’s a survival game at the moment,” he said.

Mr Treacy said many premises on the street were purchased by “speculative investors” with the intention of developing them when the time was right.

Mr Treacy said, “I don’t foresee development in the near future. We’re not

Connect to the Grid is delayed

By Mark O’Beirne

ESCALATING and unforeseen costs are poised to hamper the progress of the Creative Limerick project entitled ‘Connect to the Grid’.

Nicholas Street in need of renewal

By Annemaria O’Reilly Business Editor

Above: Co-ordinatior of Creative Limerick, Connect to the Grid project, Maria Croke

too optimistic in the bad times.”

Another businessman on Nicholas St, Pat Flynn of Stix Leisure Centre, said there are many derelict buildings on the street that are owned by property developers who have got caught up in the economic misfortune.

Mr Flynn said, “Everyone needs more customers, more trade and more foot-traffic.”

John Costello of Bygones Antiques said, “Business is terrible; businesses are experiencing real hardship trying to survive.”

Some locals warned that the street is a potential “death row”, due to the bad condition of several unoccupied buildings, which has hampered efforts to attract inward investors to the street.

Tom Hickey, of Hickey O’ Donoghue Auctioneers, said there is currently no appetite for business in the Nicholas St area.

Mr Hickey said, “Property value is back from the height of the market years: Residential 50 per cent; Commercial 70 per cent and Development sites 85 per cent.”

Another auctioneer, Carlo Hanrahan of Rooney Auctioneers said he has seen all properties drop in value - not

just that of St Mary’s Parish in the recession.

Mr Hanrahan said social problems have led to a decline in property sales in the area.

“St Mary’s Park suffers from social issues which have made the property market in that area difficult,” Mr Hanrahan said.

Independent councillor John Gilligan has called for “short term investments to stimulate business in the area.” He

said it is a prime business location and should be a magnet for redevelopment.

Mr Gilligan said investors had acquired old premises in the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years.

“Now they have walked away and left these buildings in a deteriorating condition. The city council must now move on the owners of these buildings and compel them to make them safe,” he said.

Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan said it is a great shame that so much business activity has declined and that tourist numbers are so low for St Mary’s Parish.

“It always had thriving industries, mostly food-based and a commercial hub centred on Nicholas St,” she said.

Ms O’Sullivan called on Shannon Development and City Council to engage with local interests to maximise the business potential of St Mary’s Parish. Members of The Nicholas Street Traders Association have called for immediate action to be taken to fix the “deplorable state of disrepair.”

Left: John Costello, proprietor of Bygones Antiques on Nicholas Street

Abandoned shop fronts are used to showcase the works of local artists.

It has been running in Limerick since September, 2009. It was originally launched on a trial basis but has continued due to its success.

Creative Limerick hoped that the project would revitalise St Nicholas St in St Mary’s Park by putting unused premises to better use.

However, the project has been delayed on Nicholas St by health and safety concerns, and cost issues.

Creative Limerick Co-Ordinator, Maria Croke, said that some buildings were causing health and safety concerns because they have been derelict for so long.

She said, “Some buildings may require a complete overhaul to become suitable for the project.”

She added that this costs “time, effort and money, and is slowing the initiative down”.

Creative Limerick was not initially allocated a sufficient budget to deal with these issues. Ms Croke added, “The artists themselves just don’t have the finances.”

This initiative is needed to bring some life to St Nicholas St and brighten up the area, according to Ms Croke.

She said that the area is a poor sight for tourists who visit the area to take in the sights of King John’s Castle and the Hunt Museum.

One of the those involved in the project, Aidan Buckley, is currently using one of the premises. However, he cannot open it due to safety issues.

“The building needs a bit of paint and a new door but I’m not in a position to put a whole new shop front there,” he said.

Mr Buckley said the project could bring money into the area. He described St Mary’s Park as being a “cultural epicentre” in Limerick and was disappointed that tourists see it as a grim area.

“It would be great to see people using the space,” he added.

regeneration 4-page special from the limerick regeneration agencies

Plan to overcome isolation An ambitious programme is aiming to tranform Kings Island from a socially disadvantaged area into a model residential estate that will act as a major springboard for physical, economic and social regeneration THE AIM of the Master Plan is to provide a family-friendly urban residential environment that caters, both socially and economically, for the residents of St Mary’s Park.

The Plan has three key elements which are described as its “pillars”.

They are the social regeneration, the economic regeneration and the physical regeneration.

It is aimed to change the social integration of St Mary’s Park, create long term employment locally and transform the physical environment

of the area.

The objective of the Master Plan is to illustrate the possibility of using King’s Island as a major resource for the regeneration of the north end of the island.

One of the roles of the regeneration plan is to demonstrate how the existing physical and visual isolation of the north of King’s Island can be overcome.

Challenges include transforming the estate from a socially disadvantaged area into a model residential estate.

The Plan places a strong emphasis on the social element of regeneration with project managers appointed to oversee key areas such as education, health and well being, and children, youth family support and sport. It also aims to increase the size and social mix of the local population.

In transforming the estate, the Plan aims to convince house buyers that urban living is a desirable alternative to suburban areas.

It outlines the layout of the estates, including the location of new houses

and various facilities such as a youth facility, a café and leisure facilities.

It also contains a detailed social and economic agenda for the areas, which aims to address issues such as employment, education, health, the arts, youth and sport.

Another primary goal includes the re-housing of the current community.

The first priority of the Plan is to take into account the resident’s needs. As well as fitting the needs of the residents, the new location must also be familyfriendly and affordable.

Chief Executive Brendan Kenny

Left: Swans by the Shannon at St Mary’s Park. Much of King’s Island has been designated a special area of conservation. Above: Work on rebuilding housing stock on Munchin’s Street continues apace.

Future is bright for St Mary’s Park Brian Geaney, Regeneration Project Manager

Two and a half years have passed since the remit of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies was extended to include St. Mary’s Park.

I think that a number of significant improvements have taken place in the area in since then.

However, many of the generational problems highlighted in the Fitzgerald Report still need to be addressed.

Much of the progress has been made through extensive involvement with the

local community. There is more visible policing and some improvement in the conditions in which people live. The main improvements include: - Upgrading of street lighting in the area.

- Construction of King’s Island Crèche has commenced.

- Sustainable cleansing operation is now in place through the employment of four environmental workers and the collection of waste by Limerick City Council.

- Provision of CCTV Camera System.

- Upgrading of Island Bank Walkway set to commence.

- Planning Application for Astro Turf facility on Star Rovers FC grounds submitted to Limerick City Council.

- Upgrading of car parking facilities and provision of floodlighting at Star Rovers FC grounds.

- Ongoing reforms and the development of local structures.

- Financial support to a number of sporting and community groups to enable them meet their potential and expand their areas of operation.

- New water connections carried out

to a total of 54 properties.

- A community cafe set to open in January 2011.

The Master Plan for Saint Mary’s Park is currently under review, taking into account the changed economic climate.

The Plan has significant implications for the future potential of the city and must be consistent with national planning policy and balanced with the expectations of the local community.

Right: Brian Geaney

regeneration Recreation for all ages Children and young people spend just 15 per cent of their day in school; it is of huge importance to have a constructive outlet for their spare time for their personal and emotional development. The social development of an area, and the growth of its young people, depends on high quality recreation areas and accessible services.

There are a number of state, semistate and voluntary organisations and agencies operating in the Regeneration Areas, with responsibility for children and youth. The main objectives of these organisations are to ensure the children’s safety and well being, to

support children and their families to become active citizens in their community and to tackle the lack of facilities and services for St Mary’s Park community.

The Northside Regeneration Agency has a plethora of proposals to develop St Mary’s Park into a fun, safe and welcoming place not only for the community of St Mary’s Park, but for the wider Limerick population.

Recreation is an essential part of everyone’s daily lives, both the young and the old. The Northside Regeneration Agency plans to accommodate all ages and preferences, playgrounds

are planned which would also accommodate other fringe activities, such as skateboarding, kite flying, model airplanes, Frisbee, baseball and adventure sports.

Unfortunately, at the moment, water sports pose a safety risk as there is a powerful flow from the Abbey River, especially when the Ardnacrusha turbines are fully open. The Regeneration Agency proposes to resolve the problem, by providing funding for a lock gate to control the flow of water where the Abbey River leaves the Shannon at the northeast corner of the Island, which would make the surrounding water more accessible. A Visitor and Research centre is also planned on the ecology of the Shannon Estuary.

Drawing on the history of the monastery gardens on the island and the tradition of market gardening in the nearby park area, allotments are proposed which would educate the community on the growing of fruit and vegetables. This would also provide a sustainable and worthwhile pastime which all the community could get involved in.

The Riverside Walk will be significantly upgraded to make it more accessible, comfortable, safe and attractive to locals. This renovation will result in a renewed surface, seating, lighting and planting. Fishing stands and the revival of old swimming locations are also in the pipeline, bringing old traditions to modern times.

Left: Pupils from St Mary’s Boys School learn to keep the beat as part of the Sing out with Strings Programme. The boys performed last night in Southill Church.

Right: A map of St Mary’s Park

Extra gardaí for St Mary’s ONE of the Regeneration Agency’s main aims in St. Mary’s Park is to improve the quality of life for the residents. They have been fully supportive of an increase in the Gardaí presence in the area.

In order to achieve these aims, extra Gardaí have been assigned to the greater Limerick Area, ultimately increasing the police presence in St. Mary’s Park.

The policing and organisation of the estate is a key element in ensuring that St. Mary’s Park is a safe place to live.

The Gardaí and The Regeneration Agency are aiming to create an environment where people feel safe in their homes and can be confident that their children are safe and do not feel intimidated or threatened by other people in the community.

These actions have been taken to make sure that people who witness criminal activity are not hesitant in reporting crimes because of intimidation tactics.

The Regeneration Agency believes that St. Mary’s Park is an underused and potentially valuable area. With the help of the Gardaí, the Regeneration Agency is confident that people will feel safe living in St Mary’s Park.

New pitch vital for residents

Star Rovers officials make sure the gates are closed as they leave the new astroturf pitch.

A planning application has been lodged for a new Astroturf pitch in St Mary’s Park. It is decided that the pitch will be built on Star Rovers Football Club’s existing grounds.

The pitch will be available to all soccer, rugby and GAA teams from the area.

This facility will be very important for the lives of St Mary’s Park residents.

The area needs a recognised destina-

tion for active and passive recreation for local residents.

When it is completed, the hope is that families of all ages and profiles can relax in an attractive natural environment, with a range of activities to choose from.

It will satisfy their need for health and recreation, along with playing an important role in creating a bonding effect among its users.

It creates a sense of belonging to a

community that cares for the quality of life of its citizens.

The new facility will also help the competitiveness of the clubs in the area.

They will be less likely to lose players to clubs with better facilities, which has been an issue for them in the past.

It is hoped that this facility will become a huge positive influence on the youth of St Mary’s Park.

Gilligan wants new image for Limerick

Limerick Independent Councilor John Gilligan, arguably St. Mary’s Park most famous resident, is one who never minces his words with respect to Limerick’s well documented social ills.

Cllr Gilligan used the analogy of Chicago and the automatic association of mobsters, even though the heyday of the gangster is almost a century past. He maintained that once a city is tarnished, it is very difficult to reverse the perception.

He believes the Regeneration Agency is the solution to Limerick’s problems, but earmarks people’s perceptions as the fundamental foe in the war for change. He cites the anecdotal examples of residents of the four Regeneration areas in Limerick applying for jobs using their own addresses and not even receiving replies.

When these people re-applied using the address of a relative, they were often successful in their application.

He thinks that it could take a couple of generations before the stigma of these stereotypes are eradicated.

He fears that the current economic reality could well exacerbate Limerick’s social problems both as a result of cuts in Regeneration funding and in further alienating a disenchanted youth.

He notes that the University of Limerick has suffered from a detachment to the city itself and has rarely strived for social inclusion. He believes universities ought to be obliged to integrate with their community, especially in areas of social deprivation.

He did have special praise for JP McManus who has donated to numerous ventures throughout the years.

An area rich in history and cultural attractions...

ST Mary’s Park is an area located on the northern half of King’s Island. It was completed in 1935 when residents of slums in Lady’s Lane, Parnell Street and Palmerstown were re-housed in the Island Field houses.

All 380 houses were occupied at that time. Now, the area is made up of over 460 houses.

Under the Limerick Regeneration Master Plan, the housing estates will be redeveloped.

Where necessary, houses will be demolished or refurbished.

The area is rich in history with a number of cultural and tourist attractions in the vicinity.

St. Mary’s Cathedral was built in 1167 and still holds daily services despite being one of Limerick’s oldest Cathedrals. Over the years, the Cathedral has undergone renovation and restoration.

Within the site of St. Mary’s Park

Estate there is a recorded archaeological monument, known as a star-shaped fort, which dates to the 17th century.

The precise location is not known.

However, from maps studied, it is expected to be lying under the existing 1930’s housing, in the vicinity of the junction of St. Ita’s Street and St. Brendan’s Street.

The area currently features a riverside walk, a community centre, a crèche, a primary school and a number of sports

clubs among other facilities. Under the regeneration plan, it is hoped to redevelop and improve these facilities.

A complete overhaul of the riverside walk is planned, a new crèche is to open shortly and the regeneration agency plans to provide a district centre within 10 minutes walking distance.

St Mary’s Park was originally set to be regenerated by Limerick City Council who had appointed consultants in May 2007.

After a public meeting and an open letter to the city manager, Tom Mackey, St. Mary’s Park was included in the remit of the Northside Regeneration Agency in December 2007.

The first demolition took place at No. 1 St Columcille Street on May 29, 2009 which marked the first step in the process of regeneration. It is planned to re-house the community in accordance with their needs over the process of the regeneration plan.

regeneration Rogie is a man for all seasons

By Peter Doyle

Time to be positive

By Mary Donnelly

St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, “Let our lives be good, and the times are good. We make our times; such as we are, such are the times.”

Having been involved with the parish for only two years, I feel ill-qualified to write these few words. I am not going to dwell on doom and gloom; I believe it is time for some positive action and imaginative thinking, which can only lead to better things and times to come.

Albert Einstein, (1879 -1955) the Nobel Prize Winning Physicist said, “Logic will get you from A to B, imagination will take you everywhere.”

I will start by introducing myself, my name is Mary Donnelly and I work at St. Mary’s Adult Education Centre on the Island Road.

My role there is to supervise a wonderful bunch of people and oversee the co-ordination of activities within the centre. I work for a voluntary committee, which must be thanked for its many years spent establishing the centre.

They have allowed me to carve out a role that extends beyond the remit of education into enterprise and community development.

It has been a pleasure to meet so

many wonderful people over the last two years and I would like to thank the organisations/agencies that have supported the centre in any way. Most of all, I would like to congratulate the learners for engaging with us.

I hope your experience of us is a fond one and I look forward to meeting new learners from the area in the near future.

I believe that Community Education is all about moving people to the next level.

That level has to be identified by the learner. Some of our learners come along for the social aspect, others to up skill for work and others simply to become better educated. We strive to engage with the hardest to reach or those who for one reason or another are not able to uptake the opportunity to reenter education.

On a personal note, I think it is time for everyone involved in the Parish to start looking at building a community of ‘HOPE’ that results in safe homes, safe schools, and safe communities for all.

By targeting and implementing strategic initiatives created specifically for areas in need of support, these areas will become healthy communities: That action will lead to positive impacts on the area as a whole.

I believe that funding should be made

available for capacity building. This move would encourage community groups to work together, share resources and strive towards improving their local neighborhood. To this end, I think that the agencies that work in the area should start a process whereby they enable groups to put forward proposals and assist the community to identify their needs and their rights. I am confident

that a Civic Hub would be one way of uniting groups and organizations in the area.

This Hub would be a base to accommodate groups, organizations, agencies and clubs. It would be a ‘one stop shop’ for the community and make resources more streamlined.

Currently, investors are walking away from areas where there is a history of difficulty.

It is therefore vital that communities rise to the challenge to implement positive change and promote their communities as attractive areas for new business and regeneration.

I feel that major work is needed on Nicholas Street, the main thoroughfare of king’s Island to attract business/ employment into the area.

I will leave you with the words of Martha Washington First Lady, wife of George Washington, first President of America.

“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be: for I have also learned from experience the greatest part of our happiness or misery depends upon our disposition and not upon our circumstances”.

My final words are, “It is time for some joined up thinking”.

Left: Mary Donnelly, co-ordinator of St Mary’s Adult Education Centre.

The most striking aspect of Roger “Rogie” Ryan’s living room is the enormous amount of trophies adorning his cabinets, symbolic of the strong history of sport in St Mary’s Park.

Rogie is a keen sportsman; an avid fisherman and a capable boxer. Many years ago his training at St. Brigid’s boxing club assisted him in confronting an intruder in his home. Rogie successfully apprehended the intruder, who was almost fifty years his junior.

Despite his status as one of the oldest residents in St. Mary’s Park, Rogie belies his 78 years and remains as active now as he was in his prime; he is a natural all-round sportsman.

“If I am not fishing, I will often go shooting or playing pitch-and-putt,” he said. He played both rugby and soccer until the age of 40. He is also a certified lifesaver, having rescued many people from the River Shannon as the number of floods has increased over the years.

Rogie represents an insular, unmoving aspect of the St. Mary’s Park community; he lives a life unregulated by alarm clocks and untroubled by deadlines. He is content to pursue his passions, unburdened by worldly ambition and unmoved by material reward.

His lifestyle is essentially no different now when he was 20. Perhaps there is a lesson for society at large in Rogie’s contented, leisurely lifestyle.

Below: Roger “Rogie” Ryan has achieved a lot for a man unburdened by ambition.

FEATURES | 11

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Local artist Barbara paints her way into celebrity lives In 30 years of painting watercolours Castleconnell woman Barbara Hartigan has convinced the world’s best known personalities including Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa to personally sign her portrait creations

By Sally McLoughlin Arts Editor

The foyer of the Hunt Museum where Barbara Hartigan nervously stands is bustling with people. But this Castleconnell lady is looking for just one man.

Clutching her portrait and a pen, she finally plucks up the courage she asks one of Ireland’s best known personalities for his signature. As the irrepressible Senator David Norris turns around, Barbara is greeted with a wide grin which lights up his whole face.

Senator Norris’s personally signed portrait joins an impressive catalogue of more than 60 famous personalities including Bill Clinton, Mother Theresa and Dolly Parton, all of whose signatures Hartigan has obtained.

Honourary member of the Art Society, Hartigan’s adventure with her signed celebrity portraits began more than 30 years ago with the signatures of Limerick’s own comedy duo; Tom and Pascal.

“I wanted to show I could do portraits.

There’s no point in doing portraits of people nobody knows,” Barbara explains.

“I thought I needed to draw local people if I’m going to get into this niche in the market. She adds with a laugh, “Tom and Pascal is where it all began”. Barbara paints from photographs but often needs more than one as she points out, “Features such as an

TICKLED PINK: Artist Barbara Hartigan presents a delighted Senator David Norris with his personal portrait in the Hunt Museum

ear are often missing so in that case I use more than one photo”.

A recurring theme to Barbara’s story is one of valiant adventure and fun.

She is also keen to stress that profiting from her dalliance with celebrities on online sites such as eBay is far from her mind. “I never do them with a view

to selling. It’s pure self indulgence because it’s been such a roller coaster.

I’ve met amazing people and I think it’s something quite different”.

It’s an extraordinary story and one which the artist constantly builds on.

“Every year I try to add three more to the collection”. How does she decide

who to paint? “Sometimes I hear of a book signing or a match in Thomond Park and I just go”. “I’m an opportunist who sees a niche and loves what they do”.

Her favourite amongst the extensive collection is late football great; George Best. “It’s a good portrait,” she says.

“I could identify with it from the get go”.

The biggest hurdle Barbara encounters is being caught out by burly security men. “Security can be very off-putting”.

However Barbara is keen to point out, “In my experience, the bigger the star, the nicer they are”.

Former Secretary of the Art Society; Margaret Ray agrees. “Barbara is enormously talented and paints in watercolour; a very difficult medium”, adding that during a recent showing of her collection in the Hunt Museum, Barbara was as comfortable onstage as her famed signatures. “It’s clear she was a loss to the stage,” adds Mrs Ray. Barbara’s speaks of her wish to paint legendary Ryanair boss; Michael O’ Leary. “I’d love to do a portrait of him but it’s very hard to get photos where he is not puling faces,” she says, before quipping, “He’d probably charge me for the spot I was standing on!”

Senator Norris beams as he is presented with the portrait to sign saying he “absolutely loves it, especially the teeth. I usually look as if I’m keeping an eye out for a nearby tree to gnaw out”, says Norris, adding that Barbara has “spotted me on a good day”. “I certainly didn’t look like that this morning”.

Before heading off, the artist reveals she is tickled pink by Norris’s praise. “It’s such a high”, adding “I must hide this before someone tries to steal it!”

Brighton sculptor turns rubbish to art Elrington plans to engage with community in ambitious attempt to breathe new life into Island Walk

By Sally McLoughlin Arts Editor

There is something quite fascinating about the disintegrating piles of rubbish that we all dispose of on a daily basis.

Whether it is a pile of old wire coat hangers, drinks cans, rubber car tyres, all we know is to leave it outside the door for “someone else” to whisk it away. The unattractive picture of an upturned shopping trolley in Limerick’s canal and rivers has sadly become an all too familiar sight.

A new, ambitious St Mary’s Park art project is attempting to create a whole new understanding of the concept “Rubbish as Art”, while riding the green bandwagon of environmentalism. Planning is underway to tackle the continuing issue of litter improvement in the area by creating a spectacular 12-piece Environmental Sculpture Trail on the King’s Island River Bank.

The Sculptures will be crafted by acclaimed Brighton based artist Ptolemy Elrington who will hold workshops with locals in the “Men’s Shed” located in St Munchin’s Church. Using waste such as plastic hubcaps and shopping trolleys taken from the roadsides, the rubbish will be spectacularly transformed into creatures of art reflecting the local environment of the area such as Wild Animals, Plants and Fish.

Environmental Sculpture Co-ordinator; Mary Donnelly says the project is an ambitious yet “remarkable one” with the added benefit of involving local people. Describing the artist, Ptolemy Elrington as a “wonderful, relaxed and talented guy”, Ms Donnelly sees the potential as far reaching. “The step we are making is for the community to be involved as opposed to a sculptor just coming in,” Mary explains, adding, “The people themselves are involved at every level and learning new skills and a novel way of using recycled materials with a talented artist.”

Ptolemy Elrington has sculpted artworks for companies such as Kenwood and Ronseal and says he loves using rubbish as art to “get people thinking in an ethical, positive and eco-based way”.

“I love to reuse something considered rubbish and turn it into an iconic state.

“Things like hubcaps are automatically rubbish when on the side of the road, but with a little effort and imagination they can be transformed into something which gives people a great deal of pleasure,” he enthuses.

Mary, having been involved in a similar initiative in Ennis, is keen to recreate the success in Limerick.

“I believe that if the people of the parish get involved in creating these sculptures that they would be more cherished than if something was just made by the artist,” she says.

Limerick City Council is currently looking at the proposal and Local Labour Councillor Gerry McLoughlin agrees that the project will be a major boost to the further development of the

Island Bank Walk.

“I am excited about this fantastic project and it shows how forward thinking we are. We are very lucky to have such an acclaimed artist such as Ptolemy wanting to work here,” he says.

This will be Elrington’s first community project in Ireland after a successful workshop at Templeglas Arts Festival last year. He says he is excited to work with the locals of St Mary’s Park and to “push out an environmental message”.

“Naysayers are pushed aside when you involve a community directly with something locally relevant. Locals can have a sense of ownership when they are part of it.

“My stuff is quite easy on the eye and not highbrow,” he says.

This mission, founded in creativity which is arguably the cornerstone of environmentalism, finally puts St Mary’s Park in the headlines for all the right reasons.

12 | FEATURES

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

The 10-year battle to save the MV Posidonia

By Amie Nic G. Phadraig and Danielle Eriksson

Robert N. Rose once said that “Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” This quote perfectly fits the idea behind the boat building project in St Mary’s Park.

The 10-year tale of the project first began in 1999, when Irish Customs intercepted the drug smuggling MV Posidonia off the coast of Cork. This would not be the end of the vessel’s tale however.

With the help of local residents Seany Quinlivan and Dan Hegarty, the ad hoc committee applied to the Revenue Commissioners to take charge of the ship and get the project off the ground.

After viewing the Posidonia, a diesel engineer and a retired fishing skipper reported that the vessel required substantial maintenance.

A donation was received from the JP McManus Charitable Foundation to tow the boat from Kinsale to Limerick.

In December 2000, a team of seven volunteers set sail for Limerick, unaware that they would soon battle a force six gale and a leaking ship.

“The vessel had to be pumped by hand for about forty minutes every hour, as the weather deteriorated this increased to constant pumping,” said Seany.

After an exhausting three days and two nights, the difficult voyage finally drew to a halt in Limerick on 31st December 2000 at 8.30p.m.

After nine months in the dock, a consortium of the local construction companies, with the help of engineer Raj Rajendra, financed and arranged

the move to its current location on the Dock Road.

In June 2004, the boat was due to be transported. “The yard at the Dock Road was cleared and prepared for the arrival of the ship,” said Dan. During the move however, the assistant harbour master rushed to the scene and terminated the operation, announcing that the move was unauthorised and that they had no lease for the site.

Dan and Seany felt utterly deflated; however Dan said “we were already committed to the project and felt that we had to pick ourselves up and continue.”

The men’s hopes were reignited as they discovered a Limerick Corporation-owned site that was made available to them upon request.

The earlier setbacks of the project paled into insignificance, compared to the financial and physical burdens yet to be encountered.

“The ship had to be stripped of approximately 10 tons of concrete ballast which entailed the hire of pneumatic drills for six weeks as the concrete was set for 60 years. The removal had to be completed by hand as the frames would not allow for the use of any equipment. It also meant the removal of approximately 15 tons of pig iron ballast,” said Seany. Work on the vessel has been gradual since its arrival in Limerick.

Ten years on, Seany and Dan continue to make preparations for a junior boat building project as a stepping stone for the young community to work on the MV Posidonia. Seany said that “if the project started tomorrow it would only take two years in total to finish it.”

Top: Work begins on the MV Posidonia. Bottom: Dan Hegarty and Seany Quinlivan and the 70 ft vessel before its arrival in Limerick.

A bird in the hand is worth 130 grand

By Danielle Eriksson

The tradition of pigeon keeping in St Mary’s Park is alive and well. With valuable racing pigeons being sold internationally for up to €130,000, pigeon keeping is no longer just a hobby; it is a business.

Most people have a common perception of pigeons as “rats with wings”. It is possible that we may have underestimated these intelligent birds.

With 56 members in St Mary’s Pigeon Club, the competitiveness of racing is crucial to pigeon fanciers.

Locals are willing to spend €1,000 to €2,000 on pigeons to take part in the game.

However, outside of racing, pigeons are extremely intelligent and are known for their remarkable homing ability.

Eddie Pickford, a well-known local pigeon keeper from St Mary’s Park,

has been an enthusiast for 35 years. A former member of the pigeon club, he is now more interested in collecting the birds as a hobby.

“Pigeons are extremely capable of finding their way home over extremely long distances.

“It is a mystery how birds can find their way back from places that they have never visited before,” he said.

For many pigeon keepers in St Mary’s Park, there is a fear that not all of their pigeons will return.

St John’s Cathedral is a deadly area for many pigeons. The peregrine falcon is the pigeon’s natural predator and it searches for prey high up on the rafters of the cathedral. This predator, however, appears to only hunt the racing pigeons.

“When I release my pigeons, sometimes all the pigeons would return except for one. It has often happened that I have gone to St John’s Cathedral, only to find the pigeon tags lying on the ground close by the cathedral.

“The peregrine falcon only has a taste for racing pigeon’s meat. They do not hunt the common pigeon,” said Eddie.

Unfortunately the reality for pigeon fanciers is that various diseases, including worms, are hard to avoid.

“If I leave the pigeons out of the loft then there is always the chance that an outside pigeon will drink from their water. When my own pigeons drink the water, then any disease that the outside pigeon has can pass onto my own,” said Eddie.

For many local pigeon fanciers in St Mary’s Park, collecting these birds is more than just a hobby.

With pigeons also worth a small fortune, it appears that they may have been misjudged.

Eddie, with a tattoo of a pigeon on his right arm and the words “My Hen” written below it, believes that “if you have pigeons as a young fella, then you will have them for life. The passion for pigeons is in your blood.”

From left: John Ryan, Sean Griffin, Natalie Pickford, Eddie Pickford and Peter Hogan.

FEATURES | 13

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Social cohesion vital Authorities are taking the wrong approach to tackling anti-social problems in St Mary’s Park

By Ross Burke

“Addressing Issues of Social Exclusion in Limerick city.” This is the opening line on the Limerick Regeneration homepage. The Regeneration Agency and Limerick City Council are ultimately expected to facilitate social cohesion in Limerick City to the best of their abilities.

The physical regeneration of St Mary’s Park is critically important but is evidently not happening as fast as everybody would like. Addressing issues of social exclusion however, is something that is just as urgent and much more readily achievable if the correct approach is taken.

The Limerick Regeneration Agency has channelled many resources into the community centre, adult education centre and other worthwhile initiatives.

Some of these initiatives, such as a youth disco hosted in the community centre at Halloween, attracted many teenage/young children from the area.

Successful as these initiatives may be, there is a perception that they do not reach out enough to the community to make the crucial difference that the authorities initially set out to achieve.

St Mary’s Park is unique in many ways. Rich in wildlife and steeped in history, the Island Field is one of the oldest parts of Limerick City. Horse culture is also an aspect of life on the Island, which differentiates it from other areas.

The generous green areas around the estate have always enabled St Mary’s Park’s young people to keep horses and this pastime has often been credited with keeping these youngsters out of trouble.

council has certain responsibilities in relation to the enforcement of licensing laws. Central to this issue however, is the manner in which the horses are seized and alleged incidents of damage to property, which has upset some members of the community.

While the majority have no problem with the animals when they are kept in the field, some residents have expressed concern regarding the safety aspect of horses roaming freely on the roads.

Proper facilities for horses in St Mary’s Park would benefit everybody; regardless of whether they own horses or not.

Embracing horse culture rather than simply enduring it may be the way to bridge the divide between horse owners and non-horse owners.

If social exclusion really is a priority for the Regeneration Agency and Limerick City Council, then the proposed equestrian centre - which was promised to the community in the Regeneration Master Plan - should be delivered to accommodate the lifestyle of horse loving islanders.

The Council’s current policy of night time raids is serving only to further alienate a community which has seen nothing but destruction in their area despite the grand promises that have been made in recent years.

The despair evident in the young children who have had their horses confiscated may well manifest itself in ways which may come back to haunt Limerick City Council in years to come.

The Council should address this problem in a way that acknowledges that horses have a special role to play in the community or else the youth of St Mary’s Park will find other, less constructive ways to entertain themselves.

The problem as far as Limerick City Council is concerned is the danger involved when horses roam free on the roads. This has led to a spate of

raids by Limerick City Council and the Gardaí, as horses and ponies belonging to children as young as five are taken away.

It is widely believed that the majority of horses kept in St Mary’s Park are cared for very well. The animals’ owners are also quick to accept that the

They also house many local initiatives to help the vulnerable in St Mary’s Parish, one of which is the Meals on Wheels programme.

When I met with the people involved, I expected a positive outlook. Yet when Independent Councillor John Gilligan, Chairman of the Meals on Wheels, walked in a sense of anxiety filled the room. He sat in front of me, grey faced, bags under his eyes, looking distracted, while I introduced myself.

Theresa O’Brien, one of the chefs, sat with us and informed me of the ins and outs of their work. Established in 2000, the Meals on Wheels program quickly became rooted in the community’s psyche. For €15 a week each member, typically an old aged pensioner, would have a person call round and offer them a hot meal.

The people involved buy local produce as well; buying over €500 worth of groceries every week.

They work with the community nurses to bring medication and determine who is most vulnerable. The work they do is simple: being “somebody who knocks on the door.” And being independently funded, they remain clear of bureaucracy.

At this point Cllr Gilligan spoke in detail about the uncertain future of the building where the kitchen is located.

“If the McCarthy report is implemented, there will be no future for St Mary’s Aid; and therefore no future for the Meals on Wheels scheme,” he said.

The two led me to the kitchen and showed me their cooking equipment and their possible output. Yet the potential termination of the scheme dominated the conversation.

Considering the government plans to reduce the social welfare budget by €2.8 billion over the course of its four-year national recovery plan, the future truly looks uncertain.

Above: Meals on Wheels are based in St Mary’s Aid

Above: The last horses left in St Mary’s Park graze on open ground

Future uncertain for Meals on Wheels

By Peter Downey

Several elderly people passed me by the first day I walked into St Mary’s Park; one with a walking-frame pushed herself across the road, weighed down with old shopping bags. Another carefully lowered herself down the island bank, struggling to keep her footing. No one came to help them, and the shabby conditions of the old estate only made things harder for them.

However, shortly before I walked around the Island we were given a tour of the local outreach centre.

St Mary’s Aid is an alternative employment centre, with the aim of bringing people back into employment by offering them a human face to government schemes.

14 | SPORT

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

Unstoppable St Mary’s

By Michelle Corcoran

The St Mary’s U19 ladies team is one of the most promising teams in Munster at the moment.

The club were established in 2008, with an initial membership of just eight girls. The club has since expanded rapidly and the young side now have almost fifty turning up to training sessions. Already to date, the U19 side are second in North Munster and they have succeeded in winning the Biddy Liddy tournament three years in a row.

They have also tasted success in the Kerry Cup and the Tipperary Shield, while two of the girls, Claire O’Shea and Sarah McMahon secured places on the U19 Munster team last season.

“Having two girls on the Munster Under 19 squad is an absolutely incredible achievement”, said Eugene Nunan, trainer of the St Mary’s squad.

It’s clear to see why manager Eugene Nunan labelled his team as “unstoppable. This season, they have played eight games and have emerged victorious from all eight fixtures. They are a group of young girls that are dedicated and focused. They train in any weather conditions because they have so much pride in their blue and white jersey and they will literally accommodate anyone that walks through their gates. They recently held a fundraising day for their team mate, Gillian McLoughlin, who was recently taken ill, and all involved with the club are looking forward to her return to training.

This is the type of camaraderie that can be experienced with St Mary’s.

Their coaches also have only the best interests of their players in mind. Like most trainers, they are giving up their time for nothing but the joy of getting stuck into a game they love and enjoy.

The St Mary’s ladies U 19 squad who have won all their matches this season

Anti-socials create problems for Villa

By James Enright

Anti-social behaviour and reckless treatment of their grounds are posing major problems for Athlunkard Villa AFC.

Claire O’Shea, back row sixth from right who hopes to represent Munster again this season

O’Shea harbours Ireland ambition

By Michelle Corcoran

Eighteen year old Limerick girl Claire O’Shea is set to become one of the most promising rugby stars in the province.

Last year, O’Shea was one of two St Mary’s players to feature on the U19 Munster squad and is hoping to achieve the same this year.

Growing up in a family of seven children, of which six of them play, Claire spoke of how it was impossible not to be involved in rugby.

“My brothers introduced me to rugby when I was only six years old. My whole family played so it was hard not to get involved,” she said. She began playing rugby competitively when she entered secondary school.

As there were no underage clubs in the

area, O’Shea joined Shannon RFC and continues to play on the ladies team on a dual status.

The young flanker spoke of her time on the Munster team, saying that it was a privilege to represent her province. “It was an amazing experience. We played teams from UL, UCC and a Canadian side and won all our matches. I did find it stressful as I was also studying and I just found it very hard to balance both. I had training five nights a week in Garbally, Fermoy and Charleville as well as training here,” she said.

Munster trials begin next week and O’Shea hopes that she can make the team for a second year. “Making the Munster squad for a second season would be fantastic. Ultimately, getting on the Irish team is my main goal. I’d love to be a role model for young girls around Limerick,” said O’Shea.

The club already face the ignominy of having to use containers as their changing facilities and have been lobbying for new facilities to be put in place. They are hopeful that the new development, which they will share with Star Rovers, will be treated with more respect than their current grounds.

This type of anti-social behaviour is very demoralising for the players. Vice-

chairman of the club Eugene Peters said: “When the players turn up for a match or training and see a damaged pitch, it is very hard to take.”

“These things could be avoided so easily if people would show some respect. People have been asked to stay off the pitch but they don’t care. People are walking dogs, riding horses and dumping rubbish on the pitch. There have been bonfires started on the pitch, locks have been broken and gaps have been cut in the fence,” he added This damage has cost the club €4,000 over the last two years and is a significant drain on resources.

Mr Peters added: “There have been objections to putting a proper fence

around the pitch to stop the damage being done. The people who are objecting to the fence do not have the best interests of Athlunkard Villa at heart. The pitch should be for sports and nothing else.”

Clubs such as Athlunkard Villa are vital components of the community and the unsavoury treatment of their facilities is a regrettable occurrence.

Mr Peters said: “It is a real pity that this behaviour goes on because the club provides a wonderful service. It is a fantastic social outlet for people in the area. It helps to take people off the street. This club has helped a number of alcohol and drug addicts in the area.”

The Athlunkard Villa soccer squad pose for a team shot at their home which they will share with Star Rovers.

SPORT | 15

Parish Voice December 3, 2010

St Mary’s RFC essential to community spirit

By Michelle Corcoran

Continued from back page “St Mary’s rugby club is the heart and soul of this parish”, said rugby coach Eugene Nunan. “We have been very fortunate with the people we have worked with and encountered over the past couple of years. The new clubhouse we have here is identifiable as a resource for the whole community to use,” he said.

As with every county in Ireland,

anti-social behaviour is a worrying and increasing problem. “In these types of areas, there are absolutely no facilities in place for kids and this is why there are a huge number of anti-social behaviour cases. Of course, one club alone cannot successfully combat antisocial behaviour, but we can provide spaces to play and areas of enjoyment for people,” said President of St Mary’s RFC, Christy Rainbow.

Providing children with a safe place for sport is a huge benefit to them.

“How poor would the quality of life be if there were no sports for the people of the area, and more importantly the

children? We are very lucky to have such an excellent team of people who give up their time on a weekly basis to help out and to train teams,” he said.

Currently, St Mary’s Park is in the process of regeneration. For sports clubs in the area, the issue of re-housing is one of concern and frustration as players that have been with the club for years, now must move to areas around Limerick. For some individuals, staying with their club could prove to be an inconvenience which would then mean they may have to join another club. “We will see some of the players leave us because they simply will

not be able to get a lift or afford to make their way over to training or to matches,” said Mr Rainbow.

Because St Mary’s attracts such a huge interest from underage players, the regeneration scheme poses a worry for managers and coaches as these up and coming players could in effect be wiped out.

“In every sport, underage teams are vital. We have an excellent structure here but if players cannot continue to play underage the structure is significantly weakened,” said Mr Rainbow.

At the moment, the St Mary’s Rugby pitch is under development. Planned

to be completed next November, the club will boast one of the finest rugby pitches in Limerick.The St Mary’s pitch is instrumental to the community as most of the Primary and Secondary schools in the area do not have the facilities.

“The pitch is available for everyone to use. Without this pitch, the St Mary’s national schools would have nowhere to play.

“The same applies to the local secondary school and the Gael Scoíl.

They use this pitch on a weekly basis and that’s why it’s there,” said the St Mary’s RFU President.

Limerick GAA in need of investment

By Derrick Lynch

Continued from back page

Christy McInerney, spokesman for Abbey Sarsfields GAA club, believes that the GAA in Limerick is suffering in the shadow of its illustrious counterparts.

He said: “Rugby is king in Limerick at the moment. The children see it as a more lucrative and attractive sport than the GAA, especially given the success of Munster in the Heineken Cup and Magners League.

Winning an All-Ireland can be a great boost to the development of the GAA in a county and it would really capture the younger generation and get them more involved in the sport. Without the proper funding and structures in place though, this may not happen for quite some time.”

He also believes that the ruling which allows children to play for any club inside the city boundary, regardless of parish, means that it is much harder for clubs to maintain steady playing numbers.

He said: “It sort of goes in cycles.

We have had lads leave to play with other clubs and come back to us again after a couple of years, so we haven’t been as badly affected by this as other clubs have.

The influence of teachers in the schools within St Mary’s Parish are also crucial for encouraging the children to participate in the GAA and Christy believes that it is in the schools that the future of the GAA in the area will be decided.

He said: “The teachers have always been fantastic towards the club and the more a child develops an interest, the more incentive there is for the parents to become more directly involved with

the club and it can create a great sense of community spirit and pride.”

The integration of young children from St Mary’s Park is also a positive aspect of the clubs ethos and it also serves a wider social purpose.

Mr McInerney said: “At the moment, we have about 50 to 60 children from the area playing on various teams within the club.

Despite the bad press that the area has had in the past, we have never

Star Rovers playing vital role in St Mary’s youth development

By James Enright

Star Rovers AFC is crucial to the lives of young people in St Mary’s Park. The club has proven to be a great way to keep children off the streets and give them a social outlet.

Club Chairman Denis Ryan said: “The club is a fantastic way to keep the kids active and to keep them off the streets.

Playing soccer is a good way for them to make use of their free time and it can also serve as a character building process for the kids”.

The club have teams ranging from

the U10 group up to the U16’s. This provides all children in the area with an opportunity to get involved. At U10 level the games are non-competitive.

They play the matches just for the enjoyment. There is no pressure put on the children to win.

Star Rovers is also very sensitive to the current economic climate. Denis Ryan said: “The players get free gear along with free transport and they only have to bring €1 to matches for the referee. This is different to other clubs in Limerick where players have to bring €4 to training every night.

The parents in St Mary’s Park are

fantastic with regards to coming to matches and helping out. We do not want to be putting a financial burden on them. If you are charging children a lot of money to play soccer then they might not want to play”.

Denis Ryan added: “The Regeneration project has been fantastic with funding. They have been hugely important in keeping the club running.

If it wasn’t for the funding from the Regeneration, we as a club wouldn’t be here today.”

Right: Denis Ryan and Kieran Hogan at Star Rovers grounds.

had any disciplinary issues with the lads that are involved with us and we are confident this will continue to be the case.”

Mr. McInerney also believes that the work that goes on in sport in these areas is crucial to the children’s development.

He said: “Sometimes you would feel the coaches are like social workers.

We are dealing with a lot of complex issues but we feel we are making a

difference.

“The new ruling brought in by the Limerick County Board this year that allows inner city teams to compete against the teams from Limerick county is also a great idea and will give the children the opportunity to travel all around the county and see the places that they may not have had a chance to see otherwise.”

Above: Abbey Sarsfields U14 boys team

Parish Sport The Voice of Limerick Sport

inside: Lack of grass roots development could cause lasting damage to the future of Limerick GAA

Star look forward to new astro ground

By Michelle Corcoran

In every club in Ireland, regardless of the sport, community involvement plays a major role.

By James Enright and Derrick Lynch

Without this cooperative spirit, a club or association would essentially fall apart. In today’s society, these organisations play a vital role and are the backbone of a community. They provide positive influence and act as outlets to children of all ages.

St Mary’s Rugby club can and should be regarded as a hugely beneficial aspect to young people’s lives. Since its establishment in 1943, the club has acted as a second home to people from the St Mary’s Park area. .

Full story page 15

The development of a new all weather astro turf facility for Star Rovers AFC is being hailed as a turning point for the club.

The new facility will be built on Star Rover’s existing grounds and is seen by those involved with the club as a major stepping stone to securing the club’s future.

Star Rovers chairman Denis Ryan believes that the development will be a major factor in recruiting young players for the club.

He said: “The lack of an all-weather pitch is hurting playing numbers. Young players are put off when they see the pitch that they have to play on at the moment. It is very difficult to encourage young players to go training on muddy pitches and this new facility will add another dimension to the club.”

The threat of losing players to other clubs in the locality is a worrying one for Star Rovers but when the development is complete, Ryan is confident that they will no longer have to worry about this.

He said: “The children see the excellent facilities at clubs such as Pike Rovers and Fairview and their heads are turned. They want to play for those clubs. We need these new facilities to compete. Last year we had to pull out of the U14’s competitions due to the lack of playing numbers.”

The cost of other such facilities in the Limerick region means that Star Rovers are unable to avail of them on a regular basis. Club treasurer Kieran Hogan pointed to the fact that these costs are very much seen as restrictive for the club.

He said: “The cheapest facility in the area costs €40 to hire it out for an hour and with several age groups to cater for, we simply cannot burden the club and those involved with that kind of expense.”

St Mary’s RFC keeping community spirit alive

GAA suffering from lack of financial assistance

By Derrick Lynch

The lack of funding at grass roots level is stunting the growth of the GAA in inner city Limerick.

The club has achieved a lot of success.

They are the only club in Munster to win the Munster Junior Cup three years in a row. A number of Star Rovers players have gone on to play for regional teams. Thomas Lyons currently plays for Limerick FC in the first division of the Airtricity League. Kevin Doherty is

currently on the Limerick FC Under 21 panel. Owen Treacy made the Limerick District panel for the Kennedy Cup, which is the most prestigious schoolboy tournament in Ireland.

Their most important success however, according to Denis Ryan, has been giving children in area a social outlet

and something to look forward to.

Above: Star Rovers Chairman Denis Ryan (right) and Treasurer Kieran Hogan examine the plans for the new astro turf facility

That’s the view of Abbey Sarsfield GAA spokesman Christy McInerney, who also believes that if the Limerick senior inter-county sides were to bring an All-Ireland title back to the Treaty County, it would play a huge part in developing interest in the code among the youth.

Full story page 15

INSIDE: St Mary’s Ladies RFC going strong as they bid for glory: Page 14