Council and JP McManus Charitable Foundation partner to bring unique competition with communities at its heart.
Limerick Going for Gold is back! After a Covid-enforced break of two years, this unique community-based competition returns with more than €60,000 in prize funding up for grabs.
Limerick Going for Gold aims to make Limerick a cleaner, brighter place to work, live and visit and has captured the imagination of Tidy Towns groups, residents’ associations, smaller groups and individuals right across Limerick city and county since it began in 2012.
The competition part of the whole scheme is back for 2022 with over €60,000 to be distributed over six categories in this year’s competition:
- Tidy Towns Category – Groups must have entered Tidy Towns 2022 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 2022 or do not have a group
- Residential Areas – This category is open to estates and similar areas
- Judges’ Award – The group that has come to the judges’ attention and deemed worthy of an endeavour award
- Reuse Award – A Limerick not-for-profit organisation, charity or group will be awarded for their involvement in reuse.
- Best Front Garden Category – This award is sponsored by the Parkway Shopping Centre
In judging the competition, emphasis will be placed on litter control, general tidiness and upkeep, pollinator friendly planting, sustainable planting, overall impression, works undertaken/ improvements from previous years (if applicable). As in other years, all aspects of the judges’ decision will be final.
In addition to the competition element of Limerick Going for Gold, more than €49,000 in grant assistance has already been distributed from the Limerick Going for Gold Environment Improvement Grant. This element of Going for Gold is jointly funded by Limerick City and County Council and the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
Grants range from €200 - €3,500 and assist groups with their environmental work and help with the overall aim of the competition.
Launching the event in what was his last engagement as the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “It is great to have Limerick Going for Gold competition back again in 2022 as it continues to have a really positive impact on communities across Limerick city and county. This unique collaboration ensures the competition continues to be a success for Limerick people, supporters and friends of Going for Gold and communities.”
Gerry Boland from the JP Mc Manus Charitable Foundation added: “I am delighted with the longevity of Limerick Going for Gold. It is wonderful to see and hear the contribution it has made to the environment by helping communities to help themselves towards a cleaner, brighter place and that it also incorporates pollinator friendly planting. This year over €60,000 will be distributed in prizes with a top prize of €10,000 in the Tidy Towns Category and €5,000 in the Limerick ‘Bee Friendly’ in Bloom Category.”
Ardpatrick are the reigning Limerick Going for Gold Champions, having won the top prize in 2019.
Limerick Going for Gold is managed by Limerick City and County Council with sponsorship from JP McManus Charitable Foundation and supported by Live 95, Limerick Leader, Limerick Post, I Love Limerick, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns, Southern Media Marketing and Design and the Parkway Shopping Centre.