FOR a rural town of its size, Rathkeale is graced with a plethora of natural amenities, business and leisure offerings, and a location that will only become more attractive as new road plans go ahead.
But the town has suffered in the past with negative publicity, which is why the community has come together and created a new and rejuvenated Community Council, with the focus on sharing responsibility for every area which effects town opportunity.
The Rathkeale Community Council advocates on behalf of the community, petitions for support, and organises projects and events, with the intent of creating a vibrant, thriving Rathkeale where positive experiences make people want to live, shop, and visit.
The group’s expanded purpose includes rejuvenation and is supported by a new set of guiding principles, an updated constitution, and a reorganised executive committee. It also incorporated the Team Rathkeale business group, creating one representative organisation for the town.
David Lamont, chairperson of the new council, told the Limerick Post that “Rathkeale is a diamond in the rough. We have so much going for us – it’s a diamond that needs a bot of polishing.”
The reorganised board’s focus is on development, economic, and tourism projects and events.
It has also elected a community liaison officer, engaging with similar minded organisations and voters, and a vice chair for the treasury.
The Council will add a vice chairperson for the Travelling community, a vice chairperson for the secretariat, and a board vice chairperson.
“The people of Rathkeale are determined to reverse the cycle of decline that affects our town,” said David.
“Rathkealers will make the most of our amenities, access, and affordability, making the town a more attractive place to new residents, shoppers, and visitors.”
The new Adare bypass will make the town much more accessible, he says, adding that it is positioned at the start of the Limerick Greenway, where a new visitor hub is under construction.
“I was at a meeting with the county council and other area councils recently where those area councils were asking for things we already have,” said David, of the untapped amenities in Rathkeale.
“There are a list of issues that can be tackled and we want to do that. There’s the rehabilitation of the Deel river, which flows through the town, pride of place projects, and enforcing planning regulations that seem to be unenforced.
“We believe if we work together we can really make it happen,” he concluded.
