Light up! Plans to festoon streets in Limerick with bright illuminations

COUNCIL bosses are to scope out other parts of the city centre for festoon lighting after their introduction in Catherine Street.

The area, known as Limerick’s Fashion Quarter, has since before Christmas been bathing in a purple glow.

And it has proven so popular, that not only will these remain, but council director Kieran Lehane said he is happy to work alongside members of the metropolitan district to identify other locations for these lights in the sky.

READ MORE: 'Really positive year': Passenger numbers at Shannon Airport hit 16-year-high

He acknowledged there are issues around funding for lights, both in terms of their installation and maintenance.

“But if you are in agreement, we can cost it out,” he told members of the metropolitan district at the meeting.

Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan said introducing this type of lighting can make a real difference.

In particular, she wants to see them used in Upper William Street, Wickham Street and Parnell Street.

This came in response to feedback she received to a reported homophobic attack in William Street in November.

Cllr O’Donovan sought feedback from people for specific areas of the city centre where people feel unsafe.

“I received an overwhelming response. This came particularly from these three areas. Particularly the time of day when people felt the most unsafe was around the time of the last buses. So when people are walking back to bus stops was when people felt they were being harassed, verbally assaulted, or, in some cases, victims of a physical attack,” she said.

As well as Catherine Street, the City West councillor pointed to festoon lights in nearby Davis Street.

“That was an area that was quite unsafe for many years. We now have people living there. We have festoon lighting in Catherine Street. I find Catherine Street a lot safer to walk down as it has the festoon lighting on it. A lot of the pubs will tell you the same thing,” added Cllr O’Donovan.

“I know this will cost money, but particularly around these areas, there is a possibility to put in this inviting lighting for people to make them as safe as possible,” she said.

Her call was made in a notice of motion seconded by party colleague, Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara, and supported by Cllr Sarah Kiely.

The Fine Gael councillor pointed out that attempts had been made in the past to introduce festoon lights in Wickham Street, with council’s using special funding for this.

But issues around their installation meant the plans never saw the light of day.

Council engineer John O’Keeffe dimmed Cllr O’Donovan’s enthusiasm for the lights, writing that festoon lights are “not suitable as a public lighting solution”.

“Delivery of decorative festoon-type lighting is not possible through the public lighting maintenance budget,” he added.

However, Mr Lehane intervened to say it could be explored. It’s likely money for this would need to come out of the council’s own devolved budget.

Cllr O’Donovan also sought general upgrades to the street lights in Upper William Street, Parnell Street and Wickham Street.

But she was told this was unlikely to happen by Mr O’Keeffe.