A CONTROVERSIAL proposal by Mayor of Limerick John Moran to close The Crescent on O’Connell Street in the city next month as part of the August Animations’ festival has been scrapped.
The month-long mini festival was pitched by Mayor Moran as a way of transforming urban spaces into hubs for culture and community activity.
A number of streets, including The Crescent, were closed to vehicular traffic last year to facilitate the August events, but one street in particular received widespread criticism from local councillors and businesses at the time.
The Crescent, up until today, had previously been touted to be closed once again this year for the August animations.
Now, it has been confirmed that The Crescent will remain open throughout the month of August, according to Limerick City and County Council.
In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed that the Council “is planning activities and animations for the city during the month of August. Some of these activities may necessitate closures at Honan’s Quay, Johns Square, and Baker Place”.
“It is not envisaged that any other streets or roads will be closed as part of these planned activations,” the Council added.
Last year’s festival was covered by the Mayor’s fund to facilitate the cost of road closures.
An inner-city urban beach, live music, and a number of community events took place at The Crescent throughout August last year, as well as pop up cinema nights and evening history tours elsewhere in the city.
