Mayor announces closure to motor traffic of two key Limerick city areas for month-long creativity initiative

AN AREA of Limerick city centre's main thoroughfare is to be closed to motor vehicles during August - for a second year in a row.

Mayor John Moran has unveiled the plan to restrict access to the area around the Daniel O'Connell Monument at the Crescent at the top end of O'Connell Street.

Motor vehicle drivers using that part of the city will be forced into a detour from O'Connell Street's junction with Hartstonge Street to its junction with Barrington Street and Newenham Street.

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On top of this, Honan's Quay, close to Arthur's Quay Park will be restricted later this summer.

While Baker Place and John's Square will not face closure, these will be available for activities for the five Sundays in August.

Mayor Moran has called the scheme August Ambitions, and is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to reimagine and reclaim public spaces across the city.

It remains to be seen how businesses react, but there was criticism of the measure from city traders last year, many of whom said their trade had dropped in August as a result.

A plan to restrict access to the Crescent area on three Sundays before Christmas last December was cut to just one closure - the final Sunday before the big day.

Mayor Moran says he wants to offer free use of designated city streets.

From sports clubs and theatre troupes to musicians, dancers, and anyone with a fun idea, he said all are welcome to bring their energy and imagination to Limerick’s streets.

And he is offering funding up to €2,000 to cover out-of-pocket costs for events on the street in a bid to ensure as many groups and individuals as possible take part.

Invitations are being sought, and people are being encouraged to make contact with festivalsandevents@limerick.ie to
register your interest.  

Mayor Moran said: "Building on the success of August 2024, we want to bring our city and county to life again this summer. I’ve always believed that when we open up our public spaces, people respond, and last year proved it. Thanks to the incredible support from Limerick City and County Council, we’re doing it again, even bigger and better."

"Now, I’m calling on residents and businesses to get involved. Let’s turn a quiet month into something fun and vibrant. It doesn’t need to be complicated, grab a chair, enjoy a book or a takeaway outdoors, maybe even under the watchful eye of Daniel O’Connell, whose 250th birthday we mark this August," he added.

The first citizen has pledged if this year's closure, a plan for next summer will be even more ambitious.

"Limerick has a Different Kind of Energy—let’s show the world what that really means," he concluded.

As the events are confirmed for the month of August, they will appear on the Limerick.ie What’s On guide.