People’s Park Information Panels Refurbished

Limerick Civic Trust has updated and refurbished two information panels in People’s Park. The two information panels, one near the Limerick City Gallery of Art entrance and the other by the Pery Gates on Upper Mallow Street, provide information on the history of the park and what can be found in it.

The original panels were in need of updating as they pointed to a number of trees which were lost during Storm Darwin in 2014. Limerick Civic Trust worked with Michael Sheehan and his team of park rangers to identify and catalogue over 120 trees in People’s Park.  Instead of replacing like with like, the Trust used the opportunity to enhance the information panels visually and update the historical information on the panels pertaining to the Pery family who has contributed to the public park since the 1870’s.

The information panels are now available for everyone to see and discover more about the Park.

Help us Restore St Munchin’s Church

We are currently restoring the historically important St. Munchin’s Church and converting it into a museum. The aim is to use the church as a Local Military Museum commemorating the regiments of Limerick since the siege in 1691 to today. This project will provide a home for two very historically significant collections. We are happy with our progress to date but we need financial support if we are to open this museum by our target date of 2019.

We need your support to continue

Since the early 1990’s, Limerick Civic Trust was entrusted to take care of St. Munchin’s Church and graveyard on King’s Island. This now deconsecrated church was once home to the 6th Century monk who was a contemporary of St. Patrick. A newer church replaced a crumbling oratory in 1827 and was designed by the Pain Brothers. Up until recently, Limerick Civic Trust used this space as a training centre and a hub where local groups could use the space to launch art exhibitions and the like.

When the conversion to a museum is complete, we will exhibit the Armstrong military collection as well as the Carrol Collection, which is currently housed in our headquarters at Bishop’s Palace. To expand the museum’s offering, we are also working with several interested parties on the repatriation of other artefacts of Irish historical significance from abroad back to Ireland, just like the Bannatyne staircase – a World War 1 memorial that has been donated by Cotswold’s District Council in the UK.

Brian McLoghlin, Chair of Limerick Civic Trust, explains, “Our vision for the museum is to tell the military history of Limerick from the time of the Siege of Limerick forward. The siege was the last stand of a great European war and Limerick’s part hasn’t been properly recorded.

The opening of St Munchin’s Church as a museum and visitor attraction centre will greatly enhance our medieval quarter offering. It will be a place for tourists but also something new for local residents and schools to learn more about their local history through a hands-on learning experience.”

As with all large historic building projects, the conversion is costly and Limerick Civic Trust is dependent on external support. All donations, however large or small, will helps us achieve our target of opening next year. Whether it is a €20, €200 or €2000 donation, personal, corporate or philanthropic, all are gratefully received and will be personally acknowledged. 

Likewise, if you wish to make a larger donation or if you might know of others that would like to support the project in a broader capacity or alliance, we would be delighted to engage.

Click here to make a donation
Or contact david@limerickcivictrust.ie to find out more

 

Army of Heroes Spend Over 50,000 Man-Hours on Environmental Projects in 2017

Limerick Civic Trust Seeks Support for Ambitious Heritage Plans for Limerick

David O’Brien, CEO, Limerick Civic Trust, hailed the Community Employment workers under the care of the Trust ‘an army of heroes’ as he confirmed they spent over 50,000 man-hours so far this year on improving the environment. He was speaking at the Trust’s annual Christmas Business Lunch in No.1 Pery Square, Limerick, where over 60 business people were in attendance.

Under the Community Employment Scheme, Limerick Civic Trust manages over 70 participants or trainees at any one time. Through on-the-job training, individuals are allowed the opportunity to improve their core skills, learn new skills and are exposed to constructive challenges of the work place. They are also assisted in finding long term employment.

Speaking about the work they have undertaken this year, David O’Brien said, “The CE scheme workers have dedicated over 50,000 man-hours so far this year on making places more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. They have cleaned our city’s streets, improved river walks, maintained graveyards and community gardens, restored city boundary markers and more. They are an army of heroes who’ve delivered on so many projects and we know that people in our communities benefit from them, enjoy them and value them.” (more…)

Purple 4 Polio – Limerick Civic Trust to Plant 5,000 Purple Crocus Bulbs

Limerick Civic Trust will plant 5,000 purple crocus corms at various locations around Limerick in support of the Rotary Club of Limerick & Shannon’s Purple 4 Polio campaign.

Earlier this year Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland launched the Purple4Polio campaign, which encourages everyone to join together in the final push to eradicate polio worldwide. One initiative involved teaming up with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Bloom Groups to transform public spaces and brighten up local communities by planting five million purple crocus corms across Britain and Ireland.

The Limerick Shannon Rotary Club have donated 5,000 Crocus bulbs to the Limerick Civic Trust, which are to be planted as part of a End Polio Now campaign, pictured with members of the Limerick Civic Trust was Limerick Civic Trust CEO, David O'Brien with James O'Donnell, Limerick Shannon Rotary and Tom Burke, President of Limerick Shannon Rotary

The Limerick Shannon Rotary Club have donated 5,000 Crocus bulbs to the Limerick Civic Trust, which are to be planted as part of a End Polio Now campaign, pictured with members of the Limerick Civic Trust was Limerick Civic Trust CEO, David O’Brien with James O’Donnell, Limerick Shannon Rotary and Tom Burke, President of Limerick Shannon Rotary

Not having the resources to plant the crocus corms, the Rotary Club of Limerick Shannon enlisted the support of Limerick Civic Trust.

David O’Brien, CEO of Limerick Civic Trust, said, “We are delighted to support the Rotary club and the Purple 4 Polio campaign. We already maintain many open green spaces and gardens across the city so this is a natural extension of our work. Plus, it’s a very worthy cause and our whole community gets to benefit. It will be wonderful to see the crocuses bloom next spring.”

The Trust will plant the bulbs on the Canal Bank walk, the Mill Road flower beds, Kings Island Community Garden and other open green spaces that they currently maintain. The Crocus corms must be planted by November to ensure early spring flowering to maximise their impact.

Limerick Civic Trust Gathers Internationally Renowned Commentators for Lecture Series

Brian McLoghlin, Chairman and David O'Brien, CEO, Limerick Civic Trust at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick

Brian McLoghlin, Chairman and David O’Brien, CEO, Limerick Civic Trust at St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick

Limerick Civic Trust has announced details of its 2016 Autumn Lecture Series which will take place in the unique setting of St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick.

Sponsored by UL’s Kemmy Business School with support from the Limerick City & County Council, the six-part series of public lectures will be delivered by internationally renowned commentators and thought leaders in their field. The opening lecture on 7 September will be given by Quentin Peel of the Financial Times. He will be followed by historian and cultural critic Angus Mitchell, professor John O’Brennan, artist Robert Ballagh, Colm O’Gorman of Amnesty International and Dr Ed Walsh (see speaker biographies below).

The central theme for the lectures is (more…)

Mount Brandon Climb 29th May 2016

Dear Members and Friends,

Following on from previous successful climbs, we are once again planning to host a sponsored return to Mount Brandon Co. Kerry on Sunday the 29th of May.

The bus will leave Limerick at 8am from the Bishops Palace, pick up at 8.10am at Punches Cross and 8.30am at Adare primary school.

Sponsorship cards will be issued by Limerick Civic Trust and we would hope that each card obtains a minimum of €100 in supportive sponsorship. In return for the sponsored card, we will provide the bus to and from Mount Brandon, showers and changing rooms after the hike along with a 3 course meal.

We plan on being back in Limerick at circa 9pm.

It would be great if you could (more…)

Introducing the new Canal Bank Walk

Introducing the new Canal Bank Walk:

Our team have been hard at work on a new pathway running the length of the Corbally side of the canal. The reopening of the path will see the canal loop walk open to the public from Clare Street to the Guinness Bridge on both banks.

This project will be finished shortly but already hundreds of walkers and joggers are enjoying the new amenity. Enjoy!

Limerick Civic Trust giant clean-up of Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery

Over 40 staff from Limerick Civic Trust conducted a giant clean-up of Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery in advance of All Souls Day.

The Mass Clean-Up was part of ongoing work by Limerick Civic Trust in Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery. Staff at the Trust have already restored and repaired 50 graves and tended to over 150 graves in Mount Saint Lawrence.

David O’Brien, Limerick Civic Trust Manager explained, “The giant clean-up marked our final project in Mount Saint Lawrence for the year. Unfortunately, many areas of the graveyard showed a lot of signs of neglect. Thanks to the great work by the team, the graveyard is prepared and well presented for the winter months. The cemetery has many visitors between All Souls and Christmas time, so it’s nice to have it in a more respectful and fitting condition. I would also like to thank the supervisors for organising the day and the Limerick City & County Council for their support.”

Brian Henry, Limerick City & County Council, commented, “We are indebted to Limerick Civic Trust for their invaluable work. Projects like these make a big difference to so many in our community.”

Limerick Civic Trust is also involved with the restoration of the Mortuary Chapel at Mount Saint Lawrence cemetery. Work is progressing steadily with the total restoration and refurbishment of the apse roof near completion.

The Limerick Civic Trust, which was formally constituted in 1983, is an independent, non-profit making voluntary society. It is mainly supported from donations by industry, business, charitable trusts and individuals. Its mission is to improve Limerick’s city environment through positive action.

Rare orchid blooming in Limerick City Graveyard

The process often starts with a planning stage in which plans are prepared by an architect and approved by the client and any regulatory authority. Then the site is cleared, foundations are laid and trenches for connection to services such as sewerage, water, and electricity are established.