'Not feasible': Limerick mayor decides not to close off city centre street this August

John Moran said he decided it 'was not feasible' to close the Crescent area for the city's August Animations

Limerick mayor John Moran had planned to close off several streets in Limerick city centre to facilitate August Animations.

The mayor of Limerick has decided not to close off one of Limerick’s main streets this August, as it “became clear” the initiative was not feasible this year.

John Moran had announced plans for this year’s August Animations, which involved the Crescent on O’Connell Street and Honan’s Quay to be restricted to traffic during the entire month of August.

The initiative, which was introduced as a pilot last August, aims to see Limerick streets “come alive with creativity, community, and celebration”.

After “careful consideration”, Mr Moran and his team came to the conclusion the plan to close the Crescent area “was not feasible”.

However, some of the animations “may necessitate” closures at Honan’s Quay, John’s Square and Baker Place.

Mr Moran said he could not convince himself paying for what was planned for this year, with the costs of increased manning of road closures was “good value for money”.

“In this context, I believed the more responsible choice, and one I was not afraid to make, was to step back and reassess how we might deliver differently and better in future years,” he added.

The mayor had offered free use of designated city centre streets, to prioritise “people and activities over vehicles”.

Last year, the move to close down the Crescent area had sparked mixed reaction from the public, after an artificial beach was set up and events took place throughout the month of August.

Earlier this June, those who wished to lodge an objection or make suggestions were encouraged to contact Limerick City and County Council.

In a statement, Mr Moran said: “I know some people felt discommoded by removing traffic from one or two blocks in our city centre over the holiday period last year.

However, on the other hand, we saw countless examples and images of a new-found joy on our streets and that was inspiring to all involved. It was those images of Limerick which travelled across the country and beyond.

The mayoral fund was to cover the cost of road closures of the designated streets and Mr Moran had said he was willing to work with covering some “out-of-pocket overheads” to facilitate participation by “as many groups as possible”.  Mr Moran said a number of local acts and animations were already lined up and “counting” on the income.

“I have therefore agreed to reallocate the same budget as we allocated last year directly to our festivals and events team who will use this funding to supplement their other programming for other parts of the city centre this August. I will keep the additional unused funding for other city centre animations in the future,” he said.

“I realise many will be disappointed by this news, especially local residents and their children, many of whom will not be able to get away from Limerick for the holidays. But make no mistake, like many others, I remain committed to the broader vision of a more animated, welcoming city centre.” 

Mr Moran said “clearer frameworks” could be expected as the public realm and transport strategies and the “greening” of the Georgian quarter planned in his mayoral programme were near completion.