MAYOR John Moran is to make €75,000 available to bridge the funding gap to support the upgrading of green space where Limerick’s original city wall’s moat ran on the Island Road.
The Mayor announced the dedication of a portion of his discretionary Mayoral Fund to allow the project to proceed this year.
The works will involve constructing an innovative “nature-based solution” to protect and enhance the current green space running alongside the original wall.
Additional grant support is being received through the Local Authority Waters programme and from Limerick City and County Council’s Environment and Climate Action department.
The transformation of King’s Island has been an item of key focus for Mayor Moran, and has involved large infrastructure projects like the ongoing flood protection scheme and the King John’s Castle Masterplan. It also involves smaller, innovative, and meaningful projects such as upgrading the ‘Fosse’ city wall.
“We have a broad strategy in the More for Limerick programme to improve the surrounding areas and provide better amenities and public realm across King’s Island. This project is a step forward towards actioning that plan,” Mayor Moran said.
“It improves access to and enjoyment of our historic walls for young and old alike. By investing in projects like this, we’re putting the pieces of community, history and sustainability neatly together. I can’t wait to see what the pupils of St Mary’s NS make of the new facilities,” he enthused.
The project will see the formation of a natural play area and park, for use by children at the nearby St Mary’s National School and across the community.
Surface water from the road adjacent to the space will be directed into the new landscape park instead of going directly into the sewer. The landscape will be shaped so it can store the water beneath the gravel, holding it for the planting beds.
The plants will then use the water and support wildlife in “rain gardens” by creating food and shelter for other animals and insects.
Eoghan O’ Byrne, principal of St Mary’s National School, also expressed his support for the project, saying that “we are thrilled to see the exciting development of a new fosse along Island Road”.
“This transformative project, made possible through the generous support of Limerick City and County Council and the Mayoral Fund, represents a significant step forward in enhancing our school’s surroundings and contributing to the ecological health of our community.
“The fosse will not only beautify the area but also serve as a vital ecological asset that will also provide vital educational opportunities for our school and local community.”
