by Alan Jacques
WITH Waterford going up against the Treaty City in a bid for the European Capital of Culture 2020, Limerick-based rugby star Niamh Briggs is now faced with a conflict of interests that is sure to have alarm bells ringing.
Originally from Abbeyside, County Waterford, the Irish Women’s Rugby Captain has been stationed at Roxboro Road Garda Station in Limerick since graduating from Templemore six years ago.
The South East region, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny, under the Three Sisters 2020 banner is to clash with Limerick in a bid to win the prestigious European Capital of Culture 2020 title which carries a €1.5 million prize.
Limerick-based Briggs is one of the ambassadors for the Three Sisters’ bid and is now calling on the people of her native Waterford to share their vision to win the title.
“My passion for Waterford is massive, we are very proud people and I think at times Waterford can almost be forgotten about so a bid like this is massive for us. If we could get it, it would open up many peoples eyes to the wonderful attributes that Waterford has,” she explained.
With Niamh’s beat covering Ballinacurra Weston, Carew Park and Southill as part of Roxboro’s community policing unit, it would be a win-win for the formidable Irish fullback if either Limerick or Waterford were to secure the coveted title.
The Irish winners will be named in mid 2016, leaving at least three years to prepare for the year of designation in 2020 and the European Union provides funding of €1.5 million for the winners by way of the Melina Mercouri prize.
