Give park gate name honour to bishop

IN response to the Limerick Civic Trust proposal that a new gate to the People’s Park be named in honour of a Limerick figure, I propose the priest who became the first Catholic bishop of Owerri in Nigeria.

Bishop Joseph Whelan was born in nearby Carey’s Road, across from the park, and he became a missionary in Africa at an early age.

Most Limerick people over a certain age will remember the heroic stand of Bishop Whelan during the Biafra war, when he was leader of the Holy Ghost Mission in the war-torn country.

Bishop Whelan was appointed by the Vatican to Nigeria and he became an international figure during the Biafra conflict. He was also named as a Freeman of Limerick.

I feel that it would be fitting if the Limerick Civic Trust honoured Bishop Whelan in the People’s Park.

The despoiling of the People’s Park by the building of a scheme of luxury dwellings in part of the park has been a sad episode in Limerick’s civic history.

The city councillors could make some amends by honouring Bishop Whelan, especially as he was born in nearby Carey’s Road.

Sean O’Neill

38 Quinn’s Cottages

Prospect

Limerick