Drinking Water Boil Notice Issue In County Limerick

Limerick County Council, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, has this evening issued a boil water notice to 2,000 customers served by the Public Water Supply in Adare Town.

700 households are affected by the public water notice in areas including Adare, Tuogh, Kilknockan, Curraghbeg, Copay, Blackabbey, Gortaganniff, Graigue, Drehidtarsna, Boulabally, Beabus, Baurnalicka, Derryvinnane, Castleroberts, Lissaleen, Cloonaduff, Kilgobbin, Mondellihy, Rineroe, Knockanes and Caherass.

Mr. Donal Brennan, Senior Engineer, Water Services, confirmed that Limerick County Council has detected a deterioration in the water quality leaving the Water Treatment Plant in Adare. He explained, “The treatment efficiency of the plant has been reduced and while no adverse bacteriological samples have been detected there is an increased possibility of bacteria getting through the system. Therefore, it is necessary to issue a general boil water notice on the supply” “The reduced treatment efficiency has caused excess aluminium concentrations in the delivered water and vulnerable users such as those persons with poor kidney function, renal failure and, in particular, those on renal dialysis are advised not to drink the water, but to source alternative supplies,” he added.

Limerick County Council wishes to advise all other members of the public served by the Adare Water Supply not to drink the water except under the following conditions and for the following purposes:
- Water for drinking purposes, brushing teeth and food preparation should be boiled
- Boil the water to ensure a rolling vigorous boil and then allow it to cool. Cover it and store it in a fridge or cold place. (Tea or coffee made with water which has boiled is safe to drink)
- Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic filters will not guarantee that water is safe to drink. Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers
- Use water that has been prepared for drinking (i.e. that is boiled) for preparing foods that will not be cooked, e.g. for washing salads
- It is safe to drink commercial bottled mineral water.

Prepare baby feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been reboiled several times. If tap water is unavailable, use bottled water that has been brought to the boil and cooled. Avoid using water that is fizzy, unless boiling has removed all the fizziness. Check the label: water in bottles labelled “natural mineral water” is not required to meet all the standards of tap waters. Don’t use natural mineral water with concentrations greater than the following for infant feeding: sodium –200mg/l; Nitrate –50mg/l; Nitrite –0.5mg/l; Sulphate –250mg/l. Water maybe used for flushing of toilets, internal house plumbing and for personal hygiene and bathing. Vulnerable users, those persons with poor kidney function, renal failure and particularly those on renal dialysis are advised to source alternative drinking water until further advised.

Members of the public are requested to advise the County Council of elderly or disabled residents, who may require special assistance. The Council has also asked for information on unoccupied residences and how the occupier or owner maybe contacted. Further information and advice is available from the following phone numbers: (061) 496326 (9.30am–4.30pm Monday-Friday) or 087-6295167 (after hours up to 11pm) or (061) 419226 (outside these hours)

Council Praises Limerick’s Tidy Towns Participants

The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council has congratulated Adare on receiving a Silver Medal in Category C of the 50th National Tidy Towns Competition.

Adare picked up the accolade at the National Awards Ceremony in Dublin on Monday evening, just 12 months after it was awarded a Bronze Medal and the Limerick County Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2007. The latest award success for Adare comes less than 2 months after it was named winner of the ‘Best Kept Small Town’ category in Ireland’s Best Kept Towns 2008 competition.

Adare also won the Limerick County Award this year while Galbally and Ardpatrick came second and third place respectively. Meanwhile, Kilbehenny received the County Endeavour Award and Moore's Pub in Doon won the Regional Shopfront Award. Most notably, Adare received 9 more points than it did last year while Galbally increased its 2007 tally by five points.

Commenting on Adare’s success, Mr. Mike Brennan, Chairperson of Adare Tidy Towns Committee, ‘I would like to sincerely thank the local community for their cooperation and the team effort involved over the past year. The awarding of a Silver Medal to Adare is evidence of the strong community spirit that exists among businesses and residents of the town and is also symbolic of the ongoing efforts being made within County Limerick to compete and succeed at national level.’ Mr. Brennan added, ‘To celebrate winning a Silver Medal, a function has been organised for the people involved in the Tidy Towns effort at the Woodlands House Hotel this evening in Adare at 8 o’clock.’

According to Councillor John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, ‘I am delighted to see that Adare, with the support of Limerick County Council, has won a silver medal and once again lead the way for County Limerick in this year’s competition’.

Complimenting the efforts of Tidy Towns volunteers across County Limerick, the Cathaoirleach said, ‘I have personally worked for many years with Voluntary Organisations and, therefore, I recognise the huge effort required by community groups to participate in and achieve success in such competitions. I believe that the Tidy Towns Competition is truly a celebration of community spirit, teamwork and an awareness of the natural environment. I also wish to commend the staff of Limerick County Council, along with the elected representatives for the invaluable support they have provided Tidy Towns committees throughout the year’.

Commenting on the achievements of Limerick’s Tidy Towns participants, Councillor Francis Foley, Chair of the Community & Cultural SPC, stated, ‘I would like to congratulate all 36 participants from Limerick who have done their county proud in this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition and, indeed, throughout the past 50 years. I would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts made by new entrants to the competition and urge each new committee to retain the motivation to keep going and recruit more volunteers.”

Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager said that the achievements of County Limerick’s Tidy Towns participants was especially pleasing as Limerick County Council had this year launched two new environmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the appearance of towns and villages across County Limerick. He continued, ‘Not only did Limerick County Council assist the Tidy Towns Committees in increasing their overall marks this year, we also introduced two new environmental schemes that have helped participants prepare better for this year’s competition. The Council remains committed to providing support to community and voluntary organisations in this regard.’

‘The concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened over the years by Limerick County Council. This has further been enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in the Priming Grants Scheme and Limerick in Bloom Competition’, concluded Mr. Gleeson.

The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. SuperValu, and its 180 plus storeowners around the country, have sponsored the competition since 1992. The Tourism Division of Shannon Development administers and promotes the competition in the Shannon Region. Judging of entries takes place in June, July and August each year.

Adare’s Tidy Towns Win Augurs Well For National Tidy Towns Competition

The new Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council has expressed confidence that Limerick can achieve regional and national success in this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition.

Councillor John Gallahue made his comment just days after Adare was named as winner of the ‘Best Kept Small Town’ category in Ireland’s Best Kept Towns 2008 competition.

The competition, which is organised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, features towns that have reached the highest standards in Tidy Towns in the Republic of Ireland and Best Kept Awards in Northern Ireland. Participants are judged on criteria such as cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities and the natural environment. Meanwhile, judging in the 50th annual National Tidy Towns Competition is currently underway in towns and villages across County Limerick.

“I have every confidence that Adare, with the support of Limerick County Council, can once again lead the way for County Limerick in this year’s competition”, stated Councillor Gallahue. Adare was awarded a Bronze Medal and the Limerick County Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2007. Knockainey picked up the Best New Entry (Category B) Award, Galbally received the County Highly Commended accolade, Ardpatrick won the County Commended award, Glenosheen received the County Endeavour Award, N. Rainsford in Doon won the Regional Shopfront Award, while Scoil Athain in Lisnagry received the Regional Schools Award.

The Cathaoirleach stressed the importance of the work done by Limerick’s Tidy Towns volunteers and the Council’s ongoing commitment to providing support to community and voluntary organisations.

“I have many years of experience of working with Voluntary Organisations and, therefore, I recognise the huge effort required by community groups to participate in and achieve success in such competitions. I believe that the Tidy Towns Competition is truly a celebration of community spirit, teamwork and an awareness of the natural environment”, added Councillor Gallahue. The Kilmallock Electoral Area Councillor continued, “I would like to congratulate all participants from Limerick who have done their county proud down in the National Tidy Towns Competition through the years and, in fact, during the last half-century. I would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts made by new entrants to the competition and urge each new committee to retain the motivation to keep going and recruit more volunteers.”

The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. SuperValu, and its 180 plus storeowners around the country, have sponsored the competition since 1992. The Tourism Division of Shannon Development administers and promotes the competition in the Shannon Region. Judging of entries takes place in June, July and August each year and the results are announced at the National Awards Ceremony in Dublin Castle in September. Aughrim, Co. Wicklow was named as Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2007.

Religious Figures Honoured In Limerick

Three pillars of religious life in County Limerick will be officially recognised by Limerick County Council at a Civic Reception later today.

Most Rev. Donal Murray, Bishop of Limerick, Right Rev. Michael Mayes, former Church of Ireland Bishop, and the Franciscan Order will receive the highest accolade that the Local Authority can award to an individual, group or organisation. Bishop Murray is being honoured in recognition of the silver jubilee of his Episcopal Consecration and his continuing service to the people of Limerick.

Educated at Blackrock College, Dr Murray studied for the priesthood at Clonliffe College, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and the Angelicum in Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate of divinity. Ordained in May 1966 Dr Murray became the youngest member of the Hierarchy when appointed as auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in April 1982. Dr Murray is the first to be appointed bishop from outside of the Diocese of Limerick for two centuries. He was installed at St. John's Cathedral, Limerick, on Sunday 24 March 1996.

According to Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, “As a respected author in the areas of theology, ethics and social issues, Dr. Murray is cogently aware of the many issues facing members of his Church. This is very apparent in the way he comfortably, delicately and effectively handle matters of significance for members of the Church, as well as the wider community here in Limerick.”

He added, “By serving the public with thoroughness and honesty you have brought great acclaim to the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Limerick and those you have worked with you down through the years. Therefore, Limerick County Council is delighted to formally recognise you for your fantastic contribution to the Catholic Church and the wider community in Limerick.”

The Cathaoirleach said that Limerick County Council was also delighted to provide a Civic Reception for the Right Rev. Michael Mayes to mark his retirement as Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert after forty-three years in the ordained ministry. In April 1993, he was elected as Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and in 2000 he was translated to the Diocese based in Limerick following the vote of the Electoral College. Since 2000, Bishop Mayes has taken special responsibility for the area of international development work.

Councillor Sheahan commented, “Since his arrival in the Midwest, Rev Mayes has served his Church members and the wider community well. By holding a Civic Reception in his honour, the Council is expressing its sincere appreciation of his ministry.” He continued, “Anyone who knows Michael Mayes is aware of his great intellectual ability, wise pastoral care and warm personality. He is greatly missed by the whole Church of Ireland and in particular by those who have served most closely with him. I wish him and his wife Beth many long and happy years in their retirement.”

Meanwhile, the Franciscan Order, which last week closed its main friary in Limerick, is being honoured in recognition and commemoration of more than seven hundred and thirty years of service to the people of the county. The Franciscan Order’s main friary was established in 1267 while the present church and friary were opened in 1886 and reconstructed in 1929. The friary on Henry Street provided an array of services, especially the sacramental services of Mass, Confessions, preaching, and parlour blessings.

Councillor Sheahan said the Franciscan Order also played a much broader role in society and its members were valued members of the local community. He stated, “Indeed, my own native Askeaton is immensely proud of its close ties with the Order. The Franciscan Friary there was built around 1400AD and to this day remains a prominent landmark and visitor attraction in the town.”

“I have no doubt that the Franciscan Order will continue to contribute valuably to all facets of life around Ireland and beyond for many years to come”, the Cathaoirleach concluded.

Today’s Civic Reception takes place at 4.30pm in Adare Manor, County Limerick.