Council to look at positive messages on riverside seats

BENCHES with positive and affirmative messages could be installed along the River Shannon following an idea by a local campaigner.

Paddy Hartnett, who lives on the northside, has teamed up with local councillor Sean Hartigan on the initiative, which will be debated at the climate committee meeting this Wednesday.

The idea came to him when he was out walking the riverbank, and saw multiple people sitting on benches and chatting.

“What I would be proposing is each bench in the city starting off along the River Shannon to have a small quote on a plaque on the bench. The reason I am asking for this is that when a person sits along the river to think about things these would be the first thing they see before they sit, sending out a positive message to the person,” he said.

Paddy has come up with some concept designs.

“I am sure we could get a local company to get this made up and with the help of the council get them put on the benches,” he said.

In terms of funding the project, he says he is willing to contest the half-marathon section of the Great Limerick Run and collect sponsorship money.

Paddy emailed a number of metropolitan members with the idea, and has linked up with Cllr Hartigan off the back of this.

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The Green Party councillor for City East is very supportive of the plan.

“If you see some positive comments, posts of affirmation on the bench, it might lift your soul, lift your heart, make you feel worthwhile. A simple message to carry on with life, that you've achieved a lot.

“It's an inexpensive thing to do which might have a big impact on people's lives,” he said.

“These are little messages which can make you feel worthwhile, that life is worth living,” the councillor added.