Prize fund of €60,000 for Limerick communities as Going for Gold competition is launched

COMMUNITIES across Limerick will share in a €60,000 prize fund by bee-ing friendly, being environmentally aware and by keeping their neighbourhoods tidy.

A top prize of €10,000 is up for grabs in Going for Gold 2023, which was officially launched in the riverside village of Castleconnell.

The annual competition was launched by Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Francis Foley and Gerry Boland of the JP McManus Charitable Foundation which supports the initiative.

This year prizes in the competition element of Going for Gold will be distributed across a number of categories including:

*Tidy Towns Category – Groups must have entered Tidy Towns 2023 national competition

*Limerick Bee Friendly in Bloom (€5,000 prize) open to all Tidy Towns groups who have not won a prize in Tidy Towns category along with groups who did not enter Tidy Towns 2023.

*Residential Areas – This category is open to estates and similar areas

*Judges Award – The group that has come to the judges attention and deemed worthy of an endeavour award

 *Reuse Award – A Limerick not for profit organisation, charity or group will be awarded for their involvement in reuse.

 *Best Front Garden Category – This award is sponsored by the Parkway Shopping Centre

In judging the competition, emphasis will be placed on litter control, general tidiness and upkeep, pollinator friendly planting, sustainable planting, overall impression, works undertaken/improvements from previous years (if applicable).

Blow for Limerick hurlers as captain Hannon ruled out of semi-final

Speaking at the launch of this year's Going for Gold, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Francis Foley said: “Limerick is in full bloom at this time of year and it has been great to see communities taking full advantage of the recent warm dry spell to make their neighbourhoods look their very best. Going for Gold is a great catalyst, giving proud communities that extra incentive to get stuck in. Long may this wonderful collaboration between Limerick City and County Council and the JP Mc Manus Charitable Foundation continue.”

Gerry Boland from the JP McManus Charitable Foundation added: “I am very pleased to see that Limerick Going for Gold continues to grow from strength to strength, involving many new applicants each year right across all age groups. It is wonderful to see and hear the contribution it has made to the environment by helping communities to help themselves towards a cleaner and brighter place in which to live. It also incorporates pollinator friendly planting and highlights the need to protect our heritage and environment."

Separate to the Going for Gold prize fund, over €50,000 in grant assistance has been distributed to communities so far this year.

The funding is applied-for under the Limerick Going for Gold Environment Improvement Grant scheme,  jointly funded by Limerick City and County Council and by the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

Grants ranged from €200 - €3,500 with the money assisting groups with their environmental work.

The overall aim is to make Limerick a cleaner, brighter place to work, live and visit.

Limerick Going for Gold is managed by Limerick City and County Council with sponsorship from JP McManus Charitable Foundation. It is supported by Live 95, the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live, Limerick Post, I Love Limerick, Limerick City Centre Tidy Towns, Southern Media and Marketing Design and the Parkway Shopping Centre.