Latest news with #LimerickCityandCountyCouncil
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Limerick launches ‘twilight' initiative to boost night-time economy
Limerick council is launching a new 'twilight' initiative to boost the night-time economy, starting from this Thursday. Twilight Thursdays will run on the last Thursday of every month, offering a mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, as well as cultural showcases. Presented by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative is designed to energise the city's night-time economy and cultural life, and invite locals and visitors alike to explore the city after dark in 'a safe, welcoming' atmosphere. A number of bars and restaurants are offering a range of food and drink offers on Twilight Thursday. Limerick City is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night Time Economy pilot programme, which is supported and funded by the Department of Culture. Mayor of Limerick John Moran said the initiative was all about 'reimagining Limerick after dark'. 'This initiative is about more than just one Thursday a month, it's a movement to showcase Limerick's incredible culture, energy, and the ability to do things differently. We want people to embrace the opportunity to support local businesses, meet friends, and above all, enjoy themselves. Whether you're discovering a new venue, enjoying live music, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Twilight Thursdays will undoubtedly improve our city's night-time offering. Let's make this a tradition that brings our community together.' Night-time economy adviser at Limerick City and County Council, Craig Power, said: 'Twilight Thursdays marks an important step in reimagining Limerick's night-time offering. We encourage everyone to take part in this first edition and look forward to building on its success with even more exciting offerings in the months ahead.'
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Dates for 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor revealed
The dates for the 100th anniversary of the biennial contest, announced by Ryder Cup Europe, will have three days of competition between Europe and the United States, from Friday, September 17 - Sunday, September 19. Following the conclusion of this year's contest, which takes place at Bethpage Black in New York in September, Adare Manor will officially become the next host venue of the Ryder Cup. It will be the second time Ireland has hosted the Ryder Cup, having previously done so in 2006 when Team Europe, under the captaincy of Ian Woosnam, defeated the US by a record margin of 18½ - 9½ at The K Club. Guy Kinnings, European Tour CEO, said: 'The official announcement of the dates is always a significant milestone in the Ryder Cup journey for a country and a venue, and we're delighted to today confirm details for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor. 'Rory McIlroy's victory in the Masters last month to complete the career Grand Slam, combined with anticipation of July's Open Championship, has already heightened the buzz around golf on the island of Ireland. This announcement will add to that excitement as Ireland continues its preparation to host golf's greatest team competition for the second time in 2027 when the Ryder Cup celebrates its 100th anniversary. 'Hosting a Ryder Cup is a huge collective effort and our thanks therefore go to the Government of Ireland, to JP McManus and the team at Adare Manor and to Limerick City and County Council for their continued support over the next two-and-a-half years.' Adare Manor owner JP McManus said: 'We are honoured to be hosting one of global sports biggest events at Adare Manor. Now the dates have been announced, the anticipation for the 2027 Ryder Cup will continue to grow as we countdown to becoming the next host venue.'
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Plans for much-needed Tipperary bypass take a step forward
Tipperary County Council have this week published design update number three for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction project, which would see Tipperary town bypassed. Tipperary County Council, are working on the project in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport, which it is hoped, will relieve a traffic bottleneck in Tipperary town. As part of the newly-unveiled plans, Tipperary town would see new streets incorporating active travel infrastructure. 'These streets will help divert traffic away from Main Street, which, in combination with a series of safety measures, such as signalisation of key junctions and the provision of signalised pedestrian crossings will encourage modal shift and assist in creating a more attractive environment for people living and working in the centre of Tipperary town', Tipperary Council have said. "The proposed N24 will provide greater journey time savings and cater for an enhanced more reliable bus service between the cities of Limerick and Waterford. The transport solution will provide improved connectivity to Limerick Junction Railway Station and the potential Strategic Freight Terminal and Transport Hub identified in the Tipperary County Development Plan where all modes of transport can interchange'. Sinead Carr, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council said: 'the upgrading of the N24 is a priority for Tipperary County Council. It will also provide the opportunity for Tipperary town to commence work on significantly upgrading its Town Centre Public Realm and re-establish it as a connected and active trading centre for its residents and hinterland. "The publication of the third Design Update of the Preferred Transport Solution for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction and Oola Transport Project is a welcomed advancement. This infrastructure will improve connectivity between the towns and cities across the Southern Region, and we acknowledge the significant economic and social benefits that derive from such investments'. "It will not only relieve the traffic bottleneck from within Tipperary town but will also provide significant safety improvements along the full length of this section of the N24 corridor within the counties of Tipperary and Limerick,' Ms Carr added. The plans have gone on public display at the Great National Ballykisteen Golf Hotel in Limerick Junction from Tuesday, May 27, and online at
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Free events galore in Limerick for Crinniú na nÓg 2025 as the city prepares to burst with colour
As Ireland's national day of free creativity for children and young people, these free events promises something for everyone aged 0 to 18. Organised by Limerick City and County Council in partnership with Creative Ireland and RTÉ, this year's programme is packed with workshops, performances, and hands-on experiences. From a 48-hour film challenge and sock puppet storytime, to printmaking, pop art portraits at the Hunt Museum, and circus arts exploration, the event spans all Limerick Municipal Districts. Budding musicians can join the Irish Chamber Youth Orchestra for workshops and a concert, while young audiences can enjoy inclusive screenings, autism-friendly workshops, and a special showing of Sing Street alongside local short films. 'It will be these young people, future generations and their children who will benefit the most from the seeds we are now sowing,' said Mayor of Limerick, John Moran. 'We are proud to support such a diverse range of activities that highlight the vibrant cultural landscape of Limerick.' Local councillor Dan McSweeney echoed the excitement, urging young people to dive in: 'Ireland is the only country in the world to have a national day dedicated to celebrating young people's creativity.'
The Journal
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Here are the derelict houses and buildings that Ireland's county councils asked to CPO in April
BOARDED-UP HOUSES and crumbling buildings are a common feature of towns and cities across Ireland. Derelict buildings contribute significantly to Ireland's housing crisis, and bringing them back into use is one of the Government's aims to address social housing shortfalls and to get more homes on the market. Under laws introduced in 1990, every council keeps a Derelict Sites Register to encourage owners to bring vacant houses and land into use through the imposition of an annual levy of 7% of the property's market value, which applies until the site is no longer derelict. Local authorities can also apply to acquire the site themselves via a Compulsorily Purchase Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The process is similar to making a planning application, and the board weighs up submissions from the council and the owner of the land before deciding whether a site can be subject to a CPO. Last month, four local authorities applied to the board to CPO six different properties around Ireland, including a number of derelict houses and a former shop that was damaged by fire eight years ago. 1 St Mary's Road, Newcastle West (Limerick) 1 St Mary's Road, Newcastle West Google Street View Google Street View Limerick City and County Council applied to acquire a two-storey end-of-terrace property and adjoining land on St Mary's Road in Newcastle West on 10 April. It is not clear how long the property has been vacant or when it last changed hands, but Google Street View images show that it has gone on the market a number of times since 2009. It comprises a two-storey house and a parcel of land with space to extend or build even more properties. Planning files show that previous owners were given permission to build three houses at the site in 2005, though this work was never carried out, and that permission lapsed in 2010. Collins and Co, the local estate agent who previously listed the house for sale for €129,000, said at the time that the property is 'in need of renovation'. An Bord Pleanála said it will make a decision on whether Limerick City and County Council can CPO the property by September. Derelict site at Main Street, Athea (Limerick) The derelict site at Main Street in Athea Google Street View Google Street View Limerick City and County Council also applied to acquire a derelict site on Main Street in the village of Athea in the west of the county, close to the border with Kerry. The relevant site contains a derelict two-storey house that incorporates a former shopfront, on a terraced site of around 0.04 hectares. Google Street View images of the site from 2009 appear to show it in a similar state to the most recent image in 2023, with the same paint on the property and a boarded up shopfront door. The property first came to the attention of Limerick in 2019, and the council previously sought to acquire the property in 2023. Its owner at the time, Ann Woods, objected to that CPO, saying she intended to transfer the property to her son but that they were awaiting builder's quotes to carry out repairs to the house. Documentation submitted as part of her objection showed that the house had been in the ownership of Woods' extended family for decades. Woods had inherited it from her cousin James McMahon in 2015; McMahon had inherited it from his father Michael McMahon in 1977; and Michael McMahon had inherited it from his own father in 1947. That attempted CPO was refused permission by An Bord Pleanála, who said the acquisition of the property was not necessary to ensure it becoming non-derelict. The latest case is due to be decided by 8 September. In a report by the Housing Agency about tackling dereliction last month, it was noted that Limerick has led the way on acquiring sites via CPO. Advertisement It says that the council has acquired most of the straightforward cases, but now faces challenges in purchasing those which are more complex and that may take longer to acquire. 28 St Lelia Street, Limerick city (Limerick) 28 St Lelia Street, Limerick Google Street View Google Street View In Limerick city, the council applied to acquire another terraced house at 28 St Leila Street (which is also listed as being located on St Lelia Place). The two-storey property and surrounding land are situated on 0.01 hectares and are listed on the council's derelict sites register since 2021. There is extremely little publicly available information about the site – it's not possible to find any previous planning references about it, or information about why it was added to the derelict sites register. Although recent more images show the facade and the walls of the house cracking, Google Street View images from as recently as 2014 show the property in a decent state of repair. An Bord Pleanála is due to decide on whether the council can CPO it by 8 September. 24-26 Market Street, Monaghan town (Monaghan) 24-26 Market Street, Monaghan Google Street View Google Street View Further north, Monaghan County Council also applied to CPO a site at 24-26 on Market Street in Monaghan town. The building was occupied by the home decor company Albany for almost 50 years, until it was badly damaged in a fire in March 2017 , forcing the business to move elsewhere. It has remained vacant and has since Albany moved out, and now has construction hoarding erected around it externally. In 2022, an application was submitted to the council to demolish the damaged building and replace it with a new commercial until and 28 apartments. This application was subsequently withdrawn after the council said that it did not receive clarification on a number of issues related to the proposal. The site was subsequently added to the council's derelict sites register last year. An Bord Pleanála will rule on whether it can be acquired by the council by 8 September. 15 The Glen, Trinity Without, Waterford city (Waterford) 15 The Glen, Waterford city Google Street View Google Street View In the south of the country, Waterford City and County Council applied to acquire a terraced two-storey property at 15 The Glen in Waterford city. There is also very little publicly available information about this property: it has no planning applications attached to it on Waterford City and County Council's website. According to the Property Price Register , the house was sold for €22,000 in 2014. An Bord Pleanála will decide on whether it can be subject to a CPO by 8 September. 22 High Street, Tullamore (Offaly) 22 High Street, Tullamore Google Street View Google Street View At the end of April, Offaly County Council applied to CPO a large two-storey property at 22 High Street in Tullamore. The house is listed on the council's Record of Protected Structures and was built around 1820. Images show the house in a state of dereliction, with boarded up and broken windows, a boarded up carriage arch that was originally intended for horses and carts, while the roof is in a state of disrepair. It has been the subject of numerous planning applications by its current owner dating back to 1996, when permission was sought and conditionally granted for a new roof and shopfront on the site (which lapsed in 2001 without taking place). Permission was also sought in 1997 for a new house to be built on the site, though this also lapsed in 2002. The property was placed on the council's register of derelict sites in 2011 and is said to be valued by the council at €240,000. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
