People of Limerick to pick Hall of Fame inductees

RICHARD HARRIS and Frank McCourt have achieved international recognition.

But they have yet to make it to the Hall of Fame in their native Limerick.

Now the people of Limerick will have their say on who gets into the Hall of Fame, which honours famous Limerick natives.

Each person selected will have their portrait painted by Limerick artist, Dr Tom Ryan, RHA, and hung in the Bishop’s Palace.

Already eight Limerick names have been enrolled.

They are Ted Russell, Sr Joan Bowles, Jim Kemmy, Dr Ed Walsh, John Hunt, Donogh O’Malley, Frances Condell and Dr Tom Ryan.

Limerick Civic Trust wants the people of Limerick to nominate candidates for consideration.

Civic Trust director Denis Leonard said: “Each nomination must be accompanied by a short resumé of reasons why they are being put forward. We will not consider anonymous suggestions. We may develop categories such as sport, the arts, charitable deeds and so forth. So there is no limit to the range of activities.

“However, the nominated person must, over a sustained period of time, have excelled in commitment and changed the course of life within Limerick communities or brought great fame and recognition for Limerick.”

Dr Ryan has already presented portraits of the first Hall of Fame recipients to the Civic Trust. The trust will consider the new recipients next month.

“As we are moving ahead next month, we would invite early nominations,” Mr Leonard said.

Artist Dr Ryan studied in the National College of Art in Dublin. He designed the old pound coin and the millennium 50p coin.

He is a former president of The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts and served as governor of the National Gallery of Ireland.