by Alan Jacques
INSPIRATIONAL stories about Limerick’s community spirit, its track record in industrial innovation and rich history are featured in a new book by a local engineer that will benefit the Milford Care Centre and Pieta House, the suicide and self-harm centre.
Launched this week, ‘World Class Limerick – Dynamic Reflections’ features tales from over 60 people from Limerick and beyond. Compiled by John Garrett with the support of the Thomond region of Engineers Ireland, it also includes colour photographs of Limerick life.
Some of the well-known local names who have reflections on life in Limerick in the book includes President Michael D Higgins, Judge Tom O’Donnell, playwright Helena Enright, RTE’s Alan Robinson who produced the ‘Would you Believe?’ special ‘Passion’ centred on the reenactment of the Passion of Christ in Nicker, and musician and composer Noirin Ni Riain.
A civil engineer, Mr Garrett runs his own company, John T Garrett and Associates in Limerick city. A man with a lifelong association with sport and business, he wanted to produce something “really special” for Limerick that would reflect on the many successful initiatives by others.
“Limerick and the people of Limerick have been good to me. There is a wonderful community spirit here and there was no difficulty in getting contributors to put their thoughts on paper,” John told the Limerick Post.
“We are a creative people with a wonderful history and heritage and a proven track record in industrial innovation, and academic achievement. The evidence is in the book. The people of Limerick, with a population of just 192,000 have punched above their weight in contributing to those in need, at home and in foreign lands,” he explained.
John who has previously published two books called ‘Be Inspired’ and ‘Images and Stories of Limerick’s True Leaders’ hailed his new project as his biggest undertaking to date and says it has given him “huge satisfaction”.
“Some of the reflections in this book have been written by people with high profiles. Others are less well known. All are inspirational; each one is world class, reflective and dynamic. Limerick, as I see it is striving to be the best it can be, for it already has a proven track record of contributing in so many ways and is continuing to build on this solid foundation.
“I will consider the book a success if each reader takes one positive message from the many reflections and acts on it,” he said.
