Joy as Limerick estate's grotto restored to its former glory

DEDICATED members of a southside community have given a well-loved grotto a welcome facelift.

Siobhan Madigan, a community companion at Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre, spoke to residents of neighbouring Ballinacurra Weston to discover what they can do to help out in the estate.

One of the main asks was the restoration of the statue of Our Lady, which stands proudly at the junction of Clarina Avenue and Crecora Avenue.

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Siobhan teamed up with Kelly McCarthy, Dean Hehir, Nicola Healy to do the work which included weeding, a new lick of paint for the icon, and a power-wash of the statue.

Locals also rallied behind their efforts.

“All the neighbours came to help out, as did the kids from Our Lady of Lourdes school which was amazing. We got great help from the community,” said Siobhan.

The work took place over the course of two years, and the community companions come back each fortnight to ensure it remains looking spick and span.

Lidl, which has a branch a short walk away at Childers Road donated flowers, while cement was provided from a garden centre in Ballyneety.

Members of the woodwork class in Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre built benches and boxes to put plants in.

The hard work of the community was celebrated with an outdoor Mass led by local Parish Priest, Fr Richard Keane.

The companions also do other work - they run a Monday night club, where people can drop in for tea, a walking club on Thursday, a woodwork club and a women’s shed.