INDEPENDENT councillor Jerome Scanlan is hugely passionate about his native West Limerick. The poll-topping Newcastle West representative is very keen the Limerick Post savours some of the beauty of his homeland when we arrange to meet for an interview.
“I’ll meet you at the Mass Rock in Ashford. It would up your paper’s profile,” he insists brazenly.
All this city slicker has to do now is figure out where Ashford is, never mind the Mass Rock, and we’re ready for road.
Cllr Scanlan’s directions are spot on and what a stunning destination I am greeted by when an hour later I arrive at the splendour and majesty of this awe-inspiring stop-off point on the Gortnaclohy Loop.
The historic site, used for secret masses during penal times, has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, extending over County Limerick and into Clare and Tipperary.
“I suggested we meet here because it is so impressive and I wanted you to see the natural beauty of the place, and there’s a lot of history out here. That is the actual Mass Rock. The Bishop has been out and celebrated mass here in recent times, and there used to be a British Army base in the village there, there’s some quite interesting stories,” he tells me.
“The first motorbikes to come in here in 1900/1902 were two British Army personnel. The story goes that the priest, who lived in the house back here, Fr Fenton, came in on horseback because they didn’t have cars. He asked if he could try one of the motorbikes but he didn’t know how to stop it, so he rode off on it to the foot of the Galtee’s with the other fella following him before he finally ran out of petrol.”
Cllr Scanlan is an eloquent yet straight-talking individual that brings the local history of West Limerick to life with his spirited words. He can trace his own family ancestry here back to the early 1700s. The rich pastures stretching off into the distance brim over with happy memories for the former Fine Gael man. This land has formed him, and given him his identity.
Originally from Dromcollogher, Jerome has roots in this land, land that nourished his growth and now stands him in good stead, inspiring him, as he devotedly branches out to serve his local electorate.
The lone shepherd
Like a lone shepherd looking from on high, I can see why the former Bank of Ireland business banker would have chosen these altitudinous heights for our morning rendezvous. This plush farmland holds not only his life stories, but that of generations of Scanlans before him.
“I’ve a lot of history here. I grew up on a farm so I understand farming and the needs of the farming community. Life growing up was very different to what it is today. It was quite solitary, to be blunt about, it but very enjoyable,” he shares.
“There was very caring neighbourhoods, in those days, where the neighbours reared the children. I am one of three children and my father was one of a large family. There was eight in his family with three brothers, who all farmed locally.”
After we’ve taken in all the beauty we can withstand at Ashford’s Mass Rock, Scanlan — like a one-man West Limerick tourist board – is keen that we see more of what the district has to offer.
When we arrive in Killeady, he’s already off down the road heading for Glenquin Castle. I’m breathless as I follow him up the windy steps of the tower towards the turrets to assess his kingdom.
In last year’s local elections, the energetic Scanlan topped the polls in Newcastle West with 2,301 first preference votes. In the previous local elections back in 2019, he proved equally as popular, topping the polls with 2,512.
‘I must be doing something right’
As he shows me the wonderful sights of West Limerick, it is clear just how popular Jerome is. Every soul we come upon greets him by name and is happy to share a moment in his company.
What’s the secret to his success?
“I must be doing something right,” he ponders.
“You talk to people. You answer your phone and return phone calls and that’s what I try and do as best as I can,” he offers. “I don’t like to waste people’s time, but the level of bureaucracy we have to deal with now as councillors is frightening.”
Cllr Scanlan wants to see a lot more investment in his county town. Without it, the Independent representative believes that Newcastle West is “hamstrung” from future development.
He wants to see Limerick City and County Council give more control back to the municipal areas – which he maintains was lost after the merger of county and city councils back in 2014.
The big downside of the amalgamation in 2014, he strongly maintains, is the management of housing.
“Newcastle West is the county town. If we don’t know what’s happening with housing, the people residing in Newcastle West don’t know, and they have a right to know who they have living with them and where the challenges are — that isn’t happening,” he suggests.
“To be quite frank about it, they’re in control in Limerick City. The amalgamation hasn’t worked. The big issue with housing here in County Limerick is all run from the city. With very few exceptions, send any one of the housing section out beyond Adare and they’re lost.
“Don’t ignore the county!” he blasts.
‘The essence of rural life’
Cllr Scanlan said that “housing was managed from Dooradoyle when we had a county council, and Newcastle West being the largest county town, saw investment being delivered for the district. That is no longer happening.”
One of the big mistakes made by the local authority, according to this outspoken independent, was the lobby at the Southern Regional Assembly for Newcastle West to be recognised as a Tier 1 town. He believes this has one major disadvantage — housing density.
“Look at the extensive ground out there in front of us. Why do we need 35 or 36 houses to the acre when 14 would be more than enough. And that, in my view, is one of the main reasons for anti-social behaviour and it’s going to lead to more.
“This comes back to where we started with neighbours and communities raising families. We need to tap into this in rural Limerick. I mean, that’s the essence of rural life.”
Cllr Scanlan feels strongly that the Council must consult with communities in West Limerick on its future. He also wants commitment from the local authority relating to investment in West Limerick.
“Bring housing back to Newcastle West. That’s essential, because if you don’t, you don’t know what’s happening — if you don’t have control at local level.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
