PICTURES: Student-led Limerick Voice exposes sharp decline in city centre footfall

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LIMERICK city centre has lost nearly one in five shoppers in just four years, according to a front-page investigation published today in the 19th edition of Limerick Voice.

The award-winning newspaper, produced by final-year journalism students at the University of Limerick, is available from today and features 56 stories across news, sport and features. The edition includes exclusive reporting on declining city centre footfall and the growing issue of youth drug use.

Reporters Marina Sánchez Díaz and Olivia O’Dwyer analysed footfall data and spoke to local businesses to examine the sharp drop in shoppers and what it means for the future of the city centre.

In a separate exclusive, reporters Shauna O’Mahony, Jennifer Keating and Siobhan Rogan spoke with the Community Substance Misuse Team, a day service for under-18s operating across Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary. The service revealed that children as young as 13 are accessing and sourcing cocaine through social media platforms, highlighting the scale of Ireland’s escalating drug crisis.

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The publication also tells the powerful stories of two Gaza survivors who have rebuilt their lives in Limerick after fleeing war and hardship.

Kathryn Hayes, Associate Professor in Journalism and Digital Communications at UL who oversees the multimedia project each year, said the initiative provides invaluable hands-on experience.

“Working on the Limerick Voice multimedia news project gives our students first-hand experience of producing journalism with real social impact and prepares them for the world of work.

“We are extremely proud at how this award winning news platform has become an integral part of journalism education in UL.”

We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether it’s a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots.

We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community.

To submit:

Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can. 

Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond. 

TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY

This year’s edition of Limerick Voice multimedia project has been in production since September 2025.

Limerick Voice is available free with this weekend’s Limerick Leader.