Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, and Gerry Boland of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation have launched Limerick Going for Gold 2024.
Judging will soon get underway in the annual competition, which encourages communities to be environmentally aware and keep their neighbourhoods tidy.
A top prize of €10,000 and other monetary prizes are up for grabs this year.
Additionally, a prize fund of nearly €60,000 in grant assistance has been distributed to local communities already this year through the Going for Gold initiative.
Grants of between €200 and €3,000 have assisted community groups to improve biodiversity, litter management, pollinator friendly planting while also highlighting the need to protect our heritage and environment.
Limerick Going for Gold aims to recognise and acknowledge the vital contributions of communities to make Limerick a cleaner place to live, socialise, work and visit. It assists in the transition of Limerick in to an environmentally sustainable, low carbon and climate resilient society.
In 2024, Limerick Going for Gold will distribute over €60,000 in prizes across a number of categories including:
-
Tidy Towns Category – must have entered Tidy Towns 2024 national competition
-
Limerick Bee Friendly in Bloom open to all Tidy Towns groups who have not won a prize in Tidy Towns category plus groups who did not enter Tidy Towns 2024 or do not have a group
-
Residential Areas - estates and similar areas
-
Endeavour Award - Group that has come to the Judges attention and deemed worthy of an endeavour award
-
Reuse Award - A group/community/club etc which has come to the attention of Limerick City and County Council for preventing waste or encouraging the prevention of waste by the means of Reuse
The prize giving ceremony will take place in October.
Limerick Going for Gold is an annual competition managed by Limerick City and County Council with sponsorship from JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
Judges will focus on litter control and upkeep of green areas, pollinator friendly planting, sustainable planting, overall impression and biodiversity.
At the launch in the Millennium Centre in Caherconlish, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran encouraged more communities to get involved, saying, “Limerick Going for Gold’s mission aligns with my own vision of a cleaner, brighter Limerick, a place where residents, communities, and nature thrive. Since 2012, Going for Gold has been uniting neighbourhoods, fostering sustainable practices, and celebrating the true Limerick spirit of volunteerism and community. Let’s continue the positive momentum and encourage even more participation in 2024.”
Gerry Boland of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation commented: “Going for Gold has had a transformative impact on the communities that take part. Their dedication has improved the physical landscape through renovated playgrounds, freshly painted murals, or meticulously tended gardens. As we set down roots for the next round of the competition, let’s remember that it’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about the journey, the camaraderie and the collective effort to improve local areas for everyone’s enjoyment.”
Limerick Going for Gold is a collaboration between Limerick City and County Council and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation. It is supported by Limerick’s Live 95, the Limerick Leader, Limerick Post, I Love Limerick, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns and Southern Media and Marketing Design.