Planning permission sought for giant’s arrival

Artistic endeavour is reaching such heights in Limerick that planning permission has been sought to make way for one tall event.

The world famous Royal de Luxe giant’s journey is due in the city on September 5, as part of the City of Culture celebrations.

During three days, a 9m giant will make it’s way through the city, sleeping overnight in Sarsfield Barracks.

However, overhead wires and other fixtures along city centre streets will have to be displaced to make way for the giant’s journey which is expected to attract more than 200,000 people.

The Giant’s Journey, costing €1m to host, is expected to be a marquee event of the year long City of Culture celebrations.

The Giant will also visit, Liverpool and Nantes.

Such is the scale of the event, that planning permission has to be sought. Preparations are going ahead, pending the granting of the planning licence.

After it’s 72-hour visit, The Giant will depart Limerick docks on Sunday, September 7.

Meanwhile, artist Joe Caslin is putting the finishing touches to 36m high and 22m wide portrait on the side of the old Ranks Mills building at the Dock Road. He is being assisted by students from Crescent College Comprehensive and CBS Sexton Street.

Called ‘Our Nation’s Sons’ art project, it is being backed by the City of Culture and Shannon Foynes Port Company, owners of the building.