SINCE he took over as director of Limerick Civic Trust, James Ring has quietly made it his business to physically go out among the city’s communities and ask them what improvements or developments they require to upgrade and enhance their local areas. As he says: “In the past couple of years we have put an emphasis on working with communities across the city. “We have sat with them and asked what they feel their communities need and then I will look at this and see if it is possible to help in some way.
“Obviously, with the amount of requests we receive it is physically impossible to do everything, and funding problems hinder our ambitions but we do still manage to churn out the projects year after year”.
Conceding that they have a “fairly full work programme for the coming year,” he continued:
“I am appealing to communities all over Limerick to contact the Civic Trust, either with suggestions of how we can assist you with your own community, or with your recommendations for projects you would like to see us take on – if we can do so we will”.
Emphasising that the role of Limerick Civic Trust is “to improve our city,” James says he cannot but be impressed by the level of interest there is from people in this goal
“I am also hugely impressed by the amount of our members who put their own money into projects, to ensure that they succeed.
“I believe that if people take pride in their communities and take action, rather than waiting for someone else to do so, Limerick would be a powerful place.
“We need to rise above the negativity too often experienced in Limerick and. If there is one thing our work in Ballinacurra Weston has shown me, it’s to keep focused on the positive.
“Too many people say “they will wreck that” or “it won’t last through the weekend.
“Well, whoever they are, they haven’t wrecked it and it has lasted through the weekend and beyond. The Civic Trust operates under the mantra of “actions speak louder than words” and this project in Ballinacurra Weston proves that”.
Dr Ring says that the Civic Trust’s interest in the Cairn na nOg project on the Childers Road initially came from a request from the former head of Limerick Regeneration, Brendan Kenny, who said he would like to see a project developed on the Greenfield site on the Childers Road.
“The Celtic Park was an idea of the Civic Trust supervisor, Ger Imbusch who created a design for the park and presented it to the local residents who gave their opinions and thankfully, also their thumbs up.
“The park, which is inspired by the Celtic culture consists of an Ogham Stone centrepiece, a pathway paved in the form of a Celtic Cross and flower beds in the shape of amulets,” explains James who adds:
“The park, named Cairn na n’Og, is dedicated to the youth of the parish, was constructed by the Civic Trust over a two month period and was officially opened on June 24 in front of a great turnout of residents and invited guests”.
James, who said this brought an end to the Trust’s projects in Ballinacurra “for the time being,” voiced his thanks to the residents of the area for their input and assistance in the project.
“And thanks too for all the teas and coffees that the kind-hearted community brought out to our lads on the cold mornings.
“I am looking forward to building on this relationship and I hope we will be working in the Ballinacurra area again very soon.
“If people take pride in their communities and take action, rather than waiting for someone else to do so, Limerick city would truly be a marvellous place”.
Mayor of Limerick, Jim Long unveiling the Cairn Na nOg sculpture in Our lady of Lourdes last Sunday.
