118-400: The Western Railway Corridor is a term, used since c. 2003 , for a partly disused railway line running through the west of Ireland. Currently two sections of the line, from Limerick via Ennis to Athenry and from Collooney to Sligo , see regular services, with other sections either closed or only technically classed as open. West on Track was established in 2003 with
236-537: A Holocaust survivor and one of America's first bike activists. It was an overall success minus a few complaints from local residents that were clarified through city council meetings and test pilots. In Berkeley , boulevards are mostly residential streets, but some sections pass through commercial areas. Generally, there are few cars on these streets, in large part because of the pre-existing traffic calming devices that slow and/or divert traffic. Bicycle boulevards may or may not have bicycle lanes . In Minneapolis ,
354-414: A neighborhood greenway , neighborway , neighborhood bikeway or neighborhood byway is a type of bikeway composed of a low-speed street which has been "optimized" for bicycle traffic. Bicycle boulevards discourage cut-through motor-vehicle traffic but may allow local motor-vehicle traffic at low speeds. They are designed to give priority to bicyclists as through-going traffic. They are intended as
472-490: A bicycle boulevard is also a relatively low-cost approach to appealing to a broader cycling demographic. A bicycle boulevard is generally marked with a sign at the beginning and the end of the bicycle boulevard. Also necessary for the road to be called a bicycle boulevard is coloring; in the Netherlands, the parts of the road where the cyclists ride on is marked in red (same color as used for segregated cycle facilities in
590-585: A day service started between Limerick and Ennis (connecting or continuing to/from Dublin or Limerick Junction ). This was subsequently upgraded to up to 9 trains per day. In October 2022, Iarnród Éireann and the Government , under the Department of Transport's Pathfinder Programme, announced a study for a train station to be built in Moyross , a suburb on the northside of Limerick City. As of May 2024,
708-721: A grant from the federal government within the Non-Motorized Pilot Program helped to build a bike boulevard on Bryant Avenue and the planning of others. Similarly in Columbia , the Non-Motorized Pilot Program project helped fund the first bike boulevard in Missouri along Ash and Windsor Streets. At least one other was planned. In Wilmington , help from a Fit Community 2009 grant through the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund enabled
826-474: A historical walking tour, and boat tours along the River Shannon . The city centre is divided between the traditional areas of "English Town" on the southern end of King's Island, which includes King John's Castle; "Irish Town", which includes the older streets on the south bank; and the current economic centre further south, called " Newtown Pery ". Newtown Pery was built in the late 18th century before
944-540: A large number of multinational companies to the region. A long campaign for a third-level educational institute to be located in the city finally bore fruit with the establishment of NIHE Limerick in 1969 which eventually became the University of Limerick in 1989. Limerick is the third-largest city in the Republic of Ireland (after Dublin and Cork ), with a population of 102,287 in the urban area and 104,952 in
1062-405: A low-cost, politically popular way to create a connected network of streets with good bicyclist comfort and/or safety. Bicycle boulevards attempt to achieve several goals: These bikeway design elements are intended to appeal to casual, risk-averse, inexperienced and younger bicyclists who would not otherwise be willing to cycle with motor vehicle traffic. Compared to a bike path or rail trail ,
1180-632: A meeting place for the arts; and Limerick Printmakers Studio and Gallery, which provides printmaking facilities, a venue for exhibitions and events and an education programme. The Lime Tree Theatre officially opened at the Mary Immaculate College campus in October 2012. The venue hosts theatre, music, comedy, traditional arts, schools' performances, and conferences. The Belltable on O'Connell Street hosts local playwrights and drama productions. The University Concert Hall located in
1298-609: A motion put to the council chamber by Cllr Dara Mulvey that Sligo County Council should seek funding for a feasibility study for a greenway on the route within County Sligo from Collooney to Bellaghy on the County Sligo/Mayo border. The motion was passed without a vote by Sligo county council and is now County Council policy. In February 2015 a new campaign group the Sligo Greenway Co-op was formed as
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#17327756252681416-608: A negative Net Present Value of -€137m. The report concluded that even a doubling of patronage would not make the project viable on cost-benefit grounds, while the regional development benefits from the re-opening were viewed as 'unlikely to be significant.' The McCann Report suggests that the Ennis Claremorris Section could divert and grow Mayo to Waterford freight traffic via the Western Rail Corridor. Opponents argue that rail freight volumes in
1534-550: A prominent local businessman. The park is dominated by the Thomas Spring Rice memorial (MP for the city 1820–1832) and has a large collection of mature deciduous and evergreen trees. Limerick city centre changed significantly with the construction of several modern high-rise buildings in the early 2000s, in particular as part of the regeneration of the former docks area along the Dock Road. The suburban areas, where
1652-530: A public consultation on the location of the station is open and due to close on 14 June 2024. Freight services ran regularly on the Limerick to Claremorris section until the mid-1990s. However, with the closure of the Asahi factory near Ballina, regular freight services north of Athenry ceased in 1997. Fertiliser trains from Foynes continued to use the line as far as Athenry until 2000 and bulk cement trains from
1770-594: A range of writing activities in the city. Limerick natives include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, and novelists Kate O'Brien, Michael Curtin, Kevin Barry and Donal Ryan. Poets from Limerick include Michael Hogan, Desmond O'Grady, and John Liddy. The city is the setting for Frank McCourt 's memoir Angela's Ashes and its film adaptation . The Frank McCourt Museum situated in McCourt's former school on Hartsonge Street opened in 2011, and contains artefacts from
1888-542: A second spans the entire length of Kendall Avenue in University Heights and the Regent Neighborhood. In Seattle , the city is implementing a city-wide network of "Neighborhood Greenways". The work is being carried out with the aid and cooperation of the non-profit "Seattle Neighborhood Greenways". The City of Berkeley, California , is credited with coining the phrase bicycle boulevard in
2006-575: A shareholding co-op - with shares issued at €1 each and shares sold in blocks of ten. As of July 2015 the Sligo Greenway Co-op had 280 shareholders in County Sligo and had the support of two Sligo TDs , Tony McLoughlin and John Perry . Perry was not re-elected in 2016. A 2014 study by the NWRA (Northern and Western Regional Assembly) of future recreational developments in the area of outdoor pursuits in Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon rejected
2124-474: A variety of artistic and cultural events occurring at locations around the city throughout the year. The Limerick City Gallery of Art on Pery Square is the city's chief venue for contemporary art exhibitions. It is home to a permanent collection of Irish art , which shows works from the early 18th to 20th century. The gallery houses the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing founded by
2242-731: Is a city in western Ireland, in County Limerick . It is in the province of Munster and is in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region . With a population of 102,287 at the 2022 census , Limerick is the third-most populous urban area in Ireland , and the fourth-most populous city on the island of Ireland . It was founded by Scandinavian settlers in 812, during the Viking Age . The city straddles
2360-615: Is an 1880 reference, in a Saint John, New Brunswick , newspaper, to a well-known tune. RTÉ lyric fm , a state-run classical music radio station and part of RTÉ , broadcasts nationally from studios in the city centre on Cornmarket Square which opened in 1994. Limerick's local radio station is Live 95FM , broadcasting from 'Radio House', near the waterfront at Steamboat Quay. Spin South West , owned by Communicorp , broadcasts to Counties Kerry , Clare , Limerick , Tipperary and southwest Laois from its studios at Landmark Buildings in
2478-529: Is approximately 25 km from Shannon Airport . Tourist attractions in the city centre include Limerick City Museum , King John's Castle (1210), St Mary's Cathedral (1168), the Hunt Museum , The People's Museum of Limerick , the University of Limerick , Georgian houses and gardens and the Treaty Stone . There are several seasonal tours, including Angela's Ashes walking tour of Limerick City,
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#17327756252682596-474: Is broadcast from Newcastle West . The national broadcaster, RTÉ , has radio and television studios in the city, which are periodically used to broadcast programming from Limerick. Several local newspapers are published in the city, including The Limerick Post and The Limerick Leader and magazines include the Limerick Event Guide , Business Limerick , and Limerick Now . Limerick city
2714-491: Is divided into 3 local electoral areas: Limerick City East, Limerick City North and Limerick City South which elect eight, six and seven councillors respectively. Following the 2024 local elections , Fine Gael is the largest party on the authority with 13 seats followed by Fianna Fáil with 10, Labour and Sinn Féin with 3 each, and Independent Ireland and the Social Democrats with 2 each, and Aontú and
2832-570: Is not the purpose of the Regional Planning Guidelines to see such routes provided at the expense of long-term strategic infrastructure so it is critical that the goals are not hampered even in the short term particularly when other more suitable greenway options could be explored taking account of environmental, social and economic considerations". Limerick Limerick ( / ˈ l ɪ m ər ɪ k / LIM -ər-ik ; Irish : Luimneach [ˈl̪ˠɪmʲ(ə)nʲəx] )
2950-571: Is now the Roscommon County Manager. Lobbyists for the project point to the recommendations of this report commissioned by the minister for transport as evidence that the project is justified. The report stated that if the case for Mayo rail freight could be proven, it would add to the case for rebuilding Athenry-Claremorris as one section. Frank McDonald , in an article in the Irish Times based on information released under
3068-519: Is one of the oldest in Ireland. St John's Cathedral is more modern. The Hunt Museum is based in the historic 18th-century former Custom House. The museum was established to house a collection of approximately 2000 works of art and antiquities formed by John and Gertrude Hunt during their lifetimes. The main park in Limerick is the People's Park which was opened in 1877 in memory of Richard Russell,
3186-418: Is that cyclists can integrate relatively safely with vehicular traffic that is travelling at, or below, 30 km/h (19 mph) but that segregated bike lanes should be installed along roads with a higher speed limit. With these, and many other, bike-friendly policies in place, Amsterdam has the highest rate of cycling of any capital city in the world . Cycle streets are also on the rise in other cities within
3304-403: Is the cloudiest city in the country, averaging only 1,295 sunshine hours annually, 3.5 hours of sunshine every day. There are on average 62 days of no recordable sunshine, 6 days of thunder, 22 days of hail, 32 days of fog and 11 days of snow per year. Shannon Airport is located by the ocean at an elevation of 14 metres. In 2014, Limerick became Ireland's inaugural National City of Culture , with
3422-723: The Act of Union and, unusually for an Irish city and unique in Limerick, is laid out on a grid plan . The Limerick Museum (formerly aka the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum), is located in the Old Franciscan Friary in Henry Street. It contains displays on Limerick's history and manufactures. The Georgian core of the city, with its Georgian architecture in the Newtown Pery, was developed from
3540-651: The Dublin–Cork railway line in 1848 and to Waterford in 1853. The opening of a number of secondary railways in the subsequent decades developed Limerick as a regional centre of communications. However, the economic downturn in the European conflicts of the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras, and following the Act of Union 1800 , and the impact of the Great Irish Famine of 1848 caused much of
3658-574: The EMEA . Dell remains one of the largest employers in the mid-west with over 1,000 people employed in service and support. Analog Devices has its European manufacturing base in Raheen, 3 km south-west of the city centre. The site employs more than 1,000 people. Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Vistakon (the world's largest manufacturer of contact lenses ) has a large facility in Castletroy in
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3776-466: The Golden Vale , to Britain and America. This increase in trade and wealth, particularly amongst the city's merchant classes saw a rapid expansion of the city as Georgian Limerick began to take shape. This gave the city its present-day look, including the extensive terraced streets of Georgian townhouses which remain in the city centre today. The Waterford and Limerick Railway linked the city to
3894-733: The Green Party with 1 seat each, and independents and other parties the remaining 5 seats. For elections to the Dáil , Limerick City is in the Limerick City constituency. From 2011, the constituency boundaries changed in accordance with the proposals of the Constituency Commission and the subsequent Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 . This changed the electoral boundaries from Limerick East and Limerick West to Limerick City and Limerick . Limerick city encompasses
4012-502: The Irish Cements Ltd Castlemungret factory near Limerick until 2001, when the line ceased to have any regular traffic. The line from Claremorris to Athenry now carries no services and is classified by Iarnród Éireann as "engineering sidings". Work on clearing the line was undertaken by Iarnród Éireann from November 2015 onwards. Works included reinstating fencing and removal of vegetation. The reopening of
4130-776: The Limerick Soviet was a self-declared soviet that existed from 15 to 27 April 1919. A general strike was organised by the Limerick Trades and Labour Council, as a protest against the British Army 's declaration of a "Special Military Area" under the Defence of the Realm Act, which covered most of Limerick city and a part of the county. During the strike a special strike committee was set up to print their own money, control food prices and publish newspapers. By
4248-571: The National Technology Park and also employs close to 1,000 people. It is Vistakon's only production facility outside the United States and one of the largest contact-lens manufacturing plants in the world. Cook Medical, the world's largest privately owned Medical Devices company, employs over 800 people in Limerick at the National Technology Park . Bicycle boulevard A bicycle boulevard , sometimes referred to as
4366-481: The Raheen Industrial Estate . Student radio station, Wired FM, broadcasts on 99.9FM from Mary Immaculate College . Wired FM also has studios at Limerick Institute of Technology. Limerick City Community Radio broadcasts on 99.9FM every Saturday and Sunday. University Hospital Limerick has a radio station on 94.2FM, but this can be heard only in the hospital and surrounding area. West Limerick 102
4484-656: The River Shannon , with the historic core of the city located on King's Island , which is bounded by the Shannon and Abbey Rivers. Limerick is at the head of the Shannon Estuary , where the river widens before it flows into the Atlantic Ocean . Limerick City and County Council is the local authority for the city. Limerick is located on the River Shannon with four main river-crossing points near
4602-570: The University of Limerick is a 1,000 seat venue and provides a large venue for national and international acts to visit the city. Limerick is also the home of street theatre companies, including "The Umbrella Project". There is also the Impact Theatre Company, and Bottomdog Theatre Company. Limerick's literature scene is supported by projects like the Limerick Writers' Centre, which was established in 2008 and runs
4720-472: The University of Limerick , Limerick Institute of Technology , Shannon Airport in County Clare and Shannon Development (an economic development agency), whose precursor was SFADCO (Shannon Free Airport Development Company), an economic agency that provided tax incentives to companies locating in the area surrounding Shannon Airport. Limerick Chamber of Commerce, a representative body for businesses in
4838-627: The Visserij in Ghent (Gent) in the summer of 2011. The first one in Brussels appeared in 2013 on a service road alongside Avenue Louise . The OpenStreetMap wiki and also the several locations on this subject may be of interest to reader. In Denmark , the first cykelgade ('cycle street') was opened in 2011 in Aarhus . Since then cycle streets have been implemented in several cities across
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4956-487: The 19th century to be a more troubled period. The Limerick boycott was an economic boycott waged against the small Jewish community for over two years in the first decade of the 20th century. It was accompanied by a number of assaults, stone-throwing and intimidation, which caused many Jews to leave the city. It was instigated in 1904 by a Redemptorist priest, Father John Creagh . During the Irish War of Independence ,
5074-532: The City of Wilmington to construct North Carolina's first bicycle boulevard. The Ann Street Bicycle Boulevard runs from South Water Street to South 15th Street and serves as part of the much longer River to the Sea Bikeway, which connects downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach . In Portland , a $ 600 million 20-year plan (2010–2030) has the goal of making 25 percent of trips in the city be by bicycle through
5192-575: The Corridor: Arguments against the reopening are based on the cost of the restoration work and the annual subsidy required post capital expenditure, and some advocate using trackbed as a cycle path or Greenway instead. A mid-term evaluation of the Irish government's National Development Plan by the economic consultant company INDECON, is cited by some parties as a reason to build the Western Rail Corridor. The report stated that only half
5310-505: The Dock Road is a venue specialising in live music, established in 1998. Baker Place was a nightclub that held mainly local underground nights until its closure in 2011. In 2020, it was announced that the Dromkeen-based Shiloh Trust was seeking planning permission to convert the former premises of Baker Place into a bible school. A limerick is a type of humorous verse of five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme :
5428-660: The EU is 162,413. The ethnic diversity in Limerick's population, which includes a large immigrant community, saw rapid growth during the Celtic Tiger and the following decade. As of the 2016 census the Polish community was one of the largest demographic groups in the Municipal District, with approximately 4,000 living and working in the area. In late 2006, it was proposed that Ireland's first Polish bank could open in
5546-857: The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, approximately 35 km (22 miles/30 minutes) from Limerick City along the scenic coastal N69 route from Limerick to Tralee, are also attractions. Bunratty Castle in County Clare is another local attraction, and is situated 15.4 km north of the city. Limerick is in the region dubbed " the Midwest ". Also known as the "Shannon Region", this is primarily an economic and social concept. The region encompasses County Limerick , County Clare, North County Tipperary , Northwest County Kerry and south County Offaly , with its focal point centred on Limerick and its environs within an 8-kilometre (5 mi) radius. The city's economic development has been driven in part by
5664-519: The Freedom of Information Act, indicated that the report was rewritten to exclude any negative assessment of the viability of the project including a forecast that it would 'attract only 750 passengers per day and could require an annual subvention of up to €10 million'. Passenger numbers for the first section of the line between Ennis-Limerick were reported at a mere 600 a day in March 2008. Criticisms of
5782-616: The McCann Report have included the reliance on anecdotal testimony regarding freight demand and the absence of costings for rolling stock and operating expenses. A cost-benefit analysis report prepared by Goodbody Economic Consultants for the Department of Transport in 2006 stated that passenger numbers on the soon to be opened Ennis-Athenry section of the WRC would be in the order of 200,000, requiring an annual subvention of €2.4m, with
5900-459: The Netherlands). These sections of the road are called rabatstroken . Motorists also ride on this section, yet also have a non-colored part of the road which they can drive on with one half (two wheels) of the car when they wish to pass a cyclist. Bicycle boulevards may use a variety of traffic calming elements to achieve a safe environment. This makes it difficult for motorists to use
6018-524: The Netherlands, fietsstraten ('cycle streets') have a similar road design — although most residential streets in the Netherlands which do not have on-road bike lanes or segregated bike lanes would fit the American definition of bicycle boulevards. A fietsstraat can link dedicated bike-only paths, service roads, and other types of bike-friendly street configurations to complete a route. (Extensive information has been compiled about these facilities at
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#17327756252686136-457: The Pedal Portland blog and the Northeastern University webpage.) In Amsterdam for example, by 2005 about 40% of journeys were by bicycle and transport planners at the Dienst Infrastructuur Verkeer en Vervoer (Infrastructure Traffic and Transport Directorate) have adopted a bicycle policy that blends many different bike-friendly street designs such as segregated bicycle lanes , on-road bicycle lanes and fietsstraten . The general concept
6254-402: The Treaty protecting Catholic rights were not passed by the Protestant Irish Parliament which rather updated the Penal Laws against Catholics which had major implications for Irish history . Reputedly the Treaty was signed on the Treaty Stone, an irregular block of limestone which once served as a mounting block for horses. This stone is now displayed on a pedestal at Clancy Strand. Because of
6372-448: The WRC include Ennis , Gort , Athenry , Tuam and Claremorris . The route crosses the Dublin – Galway line at Athenry , the Dublin – Westport / Ballina line at Claremorris and joins the Dublin – Sligo line at Collooney . The route largely parallels the corridor served by the N17 and N18 roads. Passenger services between Claremorris and Collooney ended in 1963, with the section being closed completely in 1975 (the track
6490-425: The Western Rail Corridor has raised debate in parts of Ireland, with opinion divided on the benefits of the scheme. Arguments in favour of reopening the corridor: Arguments in favour have generally advocated a "balanced" development of the regions vis à vis Dublin and the importance of infrastructure in so doing. The lobby group WestOnTrack has led the campaign to reopen the corridor. Arguments against reopening
6608-539: The Western Rail corridor. In November 2013 the European Parliament approved European TEN-T Transport policy. In the most radical overhaul of EU infrastructure policy since its inception in the 1980s, the European Parliament on 19 November 2013 gave final approval to new maps showing the nine major corridors which will act as a backbone for transportation in Europe's single market and revolutionise East–West connections. To match this level of ambition, Parliament also voted to triple EU financing for transport infrastructure. On
6726-498: The Williamites in the 1690s. The Treaty of Limerick ended the Williamite war in Ireland which was fought between supporters of the Catholic King James II (Jacobites) and the Protestant King William of Orange (Williamites). The treaty offered toleration to Catholicism and full legal rights to Catholics that swore an oath of loyalty to William III and Mary II . The Treaty was of national significance as it ensured closer British and Protestant dominance over Ireland. The articles of
6844-424: The aim of reopening the western rail corridor line, for the use of passenger and freight traffic. Its aim was to preserve the infrastructure already in place and to seek funding for the reopening of the railway line. People involved in West on Track include the sociologist Fr. Micheál MacGréil SJ. In 2005 an Expert Working Group reported on the prospects for reopening all or part of the corridor. In September 2006
6962-405: The area during 2007. Limerick has a large stock of local authority housing. Before the amalgamation of Limerick City and County Council, 41% of all housing within the old Limerick City Council boundary was local authority , which was the highest in Ireland. This figure is however no longer accurate given the larger metropolitan district of the city. As of the 2022 census, the ethnic makeup of
7080-454: The artist Samuel Walsh in 1987. Limerick's major contemporary art event is EVA International , Ireland's Biennial of Contemporary Art. EVA International, centered mainly in the Limerick City Gallery of Art, is curated by varying guest curators and includes contemporary artworks by both international and Irish artists. Other Limerick arts groups include Contact Studios, which provides individual studio spaces for visual artists; Ormston House ,
7198-591: The book. Limerick has also been the setting or location for the dramas The Real Thing (2002), Cowboys & Angels (2003) and Lost & Found (2015), among other films. The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Irish World Music Centre are both based in the University of Limerick . The university has a thousand-seat state-of-the-art concert hall that hosts visiting performers. The city's music scene has produced bands such as The Cranberries , guitarist Noel Hogan 's MonoBand, and The Hitchers . Electronic musician Richard D. James, more commonly known as Aphex Twin ,
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#17327756252687316-418: The city centre. To the south of the city is the Golden Vale , an area of rich pastureland . Historically, much of the city's industry was based on this agricultural hinterland. On 1 June 2014, following the amalgamation of the separate local government areas of the county of Limerick and the local government area of the city of Limerick to form Limerick City and County, a new Metropolitan District of Limerick
7434-433: The city in County Clare . Shannon Airport records an average of 977 millimetres of precipitation annually, most of which is rain. Limerick has a mild climate, with an average daily maximum in July of 20 °C (68 °F) and an average daily minimum in January of 3 °C (37 °F). The highest temperature recorded was 32.0 °C (89.6 °F) in June 2018, and the lowest −11.4 °C (11.5 °F) in 2010. Limerick
7552-420: The city is a growing recipient of foreign direct investment. Dell had its main European Manufacturing Facility at the Raheen Business Park however in January 2009 Dell announced that it would close its Limerick computer manufacturing plant and move the production lines to Poland. The facility was the largest Dell manufacturing plant outside the United States and produced 30,000–60,000 units per day for export to
7670-577: The city was 76.53% white total, including 67.47% white Irish and 8.53% other white people, 13.52% not stated, 5.48% Asian, 2.31% other and 2.14% black . The city's religious makeup in 2022 was 61.31% Catholic , 14.11% no religion, 13.91% not stated, and 10.66% other religions. Limerick city is under the jurisdiction of Limerick City and County Council , which is based at City Hall, Limerick . The council has responsibility for local services such as sanitation, planning and development, libraries, collection of motor taxation, local roads and social housing in
7788-475: The city, the suburban areas of Castletroy and as far east as Murroe . It also includes part of North County Tipperary . The Limerick county constituency takes in most of the rest of the county. For European Parliament elections, Limerick is in the South constituency. Limerick's climate is classified as temperate oceanic ( Köppen Cfb ). Met Éireann maintains a climatological weather observation station at Shannon Airport , 21 kilometres west-northwest of
7906-464: The city. The council comprises elected councillors with an appointed full-time CEO as the city (and county) manager. Local elections are held every five years and the councillors annually elect a Cathaoirleach or chairperson to chair the council. The 21 councillors from the 3 local electoral areas in the City Metropolitan Area also elect a mayor to represent the city. The Mayoral position is largely ceremonial and has much reduced responsibility following
8024-497: The counties along the route of the WRC as a result of direct initiatives by the County Development Boards and County Councils concerned. In addition the WRC is specified as a key infrastructural objective in the County Development Plans of Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo as well as the Regional Planning Guidelines of the West Regional Authority. Project opponents, however, argue that the local councils are not following land use policies that would create centres of population density around
8142-442: The country have dropped near to zero in recent years and that indirect freight routes already exist from most large towns in the region. As of September 2015 nine trains serve this freight route in each direction each week. Advocates of the project argue that key transport infrastructure should be built prior to development and may actually encourage development to take place. Land use and settlement strategies are in place in all of
8260-441: The country, including Utrecht. In Germany a comparable road design is called Fahrradstraße ('bicycle road'), introduced into the Highway Code in 1997. Any other vehicles are prohibited unless marked with an additional sign. In Belgium , the Fietsstraat (in Dutch / Flemish ) or rue cyclable (in French ), was introduced into the Highway Code with effect from 13 February 2012. One had earlier been introduced in
8378-516: The country. Almost all Danish cycle streets allow motorized vehicles to drive on them, although some might be one way only. The speed limit is 50km/h although the law states that drivers should limit their speed to that of cyclists, normally under 30km/h In France , the equivalent road design is called vélorue ('bike street') or rue cyclable ('cycle street'). The cities of Strasbourg (2017), Bordeaux (2018), Dijon (2019), Rennes (2023), Paris (2023), Lille (2023) and Lyon (2024) are among
8496-405: The establishment of 700 miles (1,100 km) of new bikeways ; one of the projects within the plan is to combine the work on street features that reduce stormwater runoff with the construction of curb extensions and other components of bicycle boulevards. In Albuquerque , a city with more than 400 miles (640 km) of on-street bicycle facilities and multi-use trails, the grand opening of
8614-820: The first bicycle boulevard in New Mexico was held on April 14, 2009. The bicycle boulevard runs from San Mateo Blvd SE, west along Silver Ave SE/SW to 14th St SW. It then continues north on 14th St to Mountain Rd NW. The last leg continues west on Mountain Rd NW to the Paseo del Bosque Recreation Trail which parallels the Rio Grande . In Madison , the first full bicycle boulevard spans East Mifflin Street in Madisons Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood,
8732-515: The first bishop of Limerick died in 652, indicating the settlement was a place of some note then. In 812 the Vikings sailed up the Shannon and pillaged the city, burned Mungret Abbey but were forced to flee when the Irish attacked and killed many of their number. The Normans redesigned the city in the 12th century and added much of the most notable architecture, such as King John's Castle and St Mary's Cathedral . In early medieval times Limerick
8850-433: The first to test it out. In Spain , cycle streets are known as ciclocalles . In New Zealand , bicycle boulevards are generally designated as 'neighbourhood greenways', although Auckland refers to them as local paths to avoid confusion with its off-road greenways network. Christchurch was the first city to implement a number of neighbourhood greenway sections as part of its Major Cycle Routes programme, including
8968-514: The forecast NDP transport investment in the BMW region for the period 2000–2006 was spent or committed to be spent by 2002, a shortfall of €364 million. As Transport projects have long lead times this report indicated that the relative shortfall in transport expenditure would be maintained over the course of the planning period to 2006. Frank Dawson detailed statistics breaking out the INDECON data, who
9086-822: The foreseeable future" and said "this is not going to happen" when asked about the Western Rail Corridor. Following those remarks, in January 2015 Kenny said at a press briefing in Lough Lannagh in Castlebar told local media in Mayo that he still sees the potential for developing freight services on the line stating, "I still see potential [on the Western Rail Corridor] from a freight point of view." In 2011, The Irish Examiner reported that passenger numbers were "still quite low" in 2010. Four years after
9204-505: The former Western Regional Authority but the proposal continues to be discussed. During 2013 the idea twice failed to get a seconder at Galway and Mayo Co. Councils and was also defeated (16-3) at Roscommon Co Council. The County Managers' reports in respect of the new Co Development Plans for both Galway and Mayo pointed to the strategic importance of protecting the railway infrastructure and to having proposed walking and cycling routes located elsewhere. In July 2014 Sligo County Council passed
9322-535: The funding for a greenway on this section would be minimal in infrastructural terms and would not hinder the eventual reinstatement of the Railway should the funding for that ever become available. The campaigners for the greenway on this section of the track, point to the success of the Great Western Greenway , the first section of which opened in 2010. In August 2011 this proposal was ruled out by
9440-472: The general area along the banks of the Shannon Estuary known as Loch Luimnigh . The earliest settlement in the city, Inis Sibhtonn , was the original name for King's Island during the pre-Viking and Viking eras. This island was also called Inis an Ghaill Duibh , 'The Dark Foreigner's Island'. The name is recorded in Viking sources as Hlymrekr . The city dates from 812; however, history suggests
9558-629: The grounds of balanced regional development) 74.43 km / 46.25 miles (€197.4 million) On 1 November 2005 the Transport 21 plan was launched committing government expenditure of €34 billion between 2006 and 2015 on road, rail and light rail projects. The Western Railway Corridor commitments under this plan were largely those recommended by the McCann Report: Former Minister for Transport Martin Cullen also announced
9676-660: The idea that the Western Rail Corridor be turned into a walking or cycling route. The "Study of Outdoor Recreation in the West" (2014) stated: "The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) for the West Region 2010-2022 seek the full reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor as a long-term strategic sustainable transport route. Greenways are not mentioned in the RPGs, though the development of suitable long-distance walking and cycling routes (subject to environmental assessment) are supported. It
9794-565: The implementation of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 . By the 1960s onwards the city had outgrown its boundary considerably; the city boundary was only altered slightly and never reflected the overall urban area of the city. A limited boundary extension on the city's north side in 2008 enlarged the city boundary by 1,020 hectares increasing the city's area by almost 50% and raising the population by an estimated 7,000. The previous boundary, encompassing 2,086 hectares,
9912-576: The island of Ireland, the only rail route corridor that is included in the TEN-T Core network is the route Cork-Dublin-Belfast. The Limerick-Athenry section of the Western Rail Corridor is included in the TEN-T Comprehensive network. Following preliminary works in late 2005 and early 2006, official clearance work on the northern section of the line (Claremorris to Collooney) began on 18 September 2006. Renewal of track commenced in 2007 on
10030-454: The late 1980s, but not every jurisdiction has adopted this term. In November 2011, the City of Boston began to use the term neighborways instead of bicycle boulevards. This added to a growing list of terms for bicycle boulevards since Portland has been calling them neighborhood greenways ; Seattle has followed the same convention. Other terms for bicycle boulevards in the US include: In
10148-901: The line between Ennis and Athenry was completed in 2009. After a gap of more than thirty years, train services between the cities of Galway and Limerick commenced on Tuesday 30 March 2010, on budget at a cost of €106.5m, a figure which included building new stations in Sixmilebridge and Oranmore. The service provides five trains per day between Galway and Limerick. It serves existing stations at Limerick, Ennis, Athenry and Galway, as well as new stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. The Limerick to Galway service also feeds into expanded intercity services between Limerick and Dublin and between Galway and Dublin. Iarnród Éireann planned for both routes to gain hourly services at peak and two hourly off-peak; however, recession has resulted in delay, with some services withdrawn. The middle section of
10266-416: The line, the largest annual growth on the rail network. The service was also being promoted through free car parking at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell; promotion of Taxsaver tickets, giving commuters full tax relief on the cost of monthly and annual season tickets purchased through employers and group travel promotions, including schools. The Irish Times noted the 2015 figures as follows "Of particular note
10384-420: The main suburban thoroughfares leading towards the city (North & South Circular, Ballinacurra Road, O'Connell Avenue). Limerick city's nightlife is supported by a number of nightclubs and pubs which offer music. For example, Dolan's Warehouse is a small music venue that hosts local, national, and international folk, indie, jazz, rock, and traditional Irish music acts. In County Limerick, Adare village and
10502-507: The majority of the population now live, have grown out from the centre along the main roads to Ennis (North Circular and Ennis Road areas/ Caherdavin ), Dublin ( Castletroy and the university) and Cork (Ballinacurra/Dooradoyle/Raheen). Suburban houses are generally two-floor semi-detached homes for single families. These were built from the 1950s onwards in large estates by government projects and commercial developments, although there are many examples of Edwardian and older 1930s suburban homes on
10620-443: The merger of the Limerick local authorities. As of mid-2021, the mayor was Councillor Daniel Butler. Former well-known mayors include TDs Donogh O'Malley , Stephen Coughlan , Michael Lipper , Jim Kemmy and Jan O'Sullivan . Throughout most of the city's history, from 1197 when it gained its first charter, Limerick City had its own local government authority, Limerick Corporation later known as Limerick City Council . The council
10738-511: The metropolitan district, according to the 2016 CSO census. the 2011 census had reported a large population decline in central city areas due in part to the Limerick regeneration process where in these areas the largest reduction was reported nationally and also to outward migration following the collapse of the local and national economy from 2008 onwards. The population of the Limerick Larger Urban Zone as defined by
10856-564: The mid-18th century. This core includes O'Connell Street (George Street before independence) from the Cecil Street intersection running to the southwest end of the Crescent, and southeast to Pery Street including Glentworth Street and Barrington Street. Other buildings of architectural note in the city are St John's Cathedral , designed by the notable Victorian architect, Philip Charles Hardwick . St Mary's Cathedral, at over 800 years old,
10974-475: The mid-20th century, Limerick was characterised by economic stagnation and decline as many traditional industries closed or left the city. However, there were some success stories. In 1942 Shannon Airport (located in County Clare, 20 km west of the city) opened for the first time offering transatlantic flights. In 1959, Shannon Airport enabled the opening of the Shannon Free Zone which attracted
11092-551: The most fertile tracts in Ireland known as the Golden Vale as well as produce from the surrounding counties. The city was one of the main meat processing areas in Ireland, and industries included confectionery and flour production. The city was known for its bacon industry, including the production of Limerick ham – however this went into decline in the mid-20th century. The fishing industry in Limerick, based on Clancy's Strand opposite King John's Castle and at Coonagh nearby, once employed hundreds of men. The boat most commonly used
11210-496: The north of the city are governed by Clare County Council . Following the merger of the two authorities in 2014, a new Metropolitan District of Limerick City was set up that included the city urban area and also settlements close to the city such as Patrickswell and Castleconnell . The Metropolitan district returns 21 councillors to Limerick City and County Council which in total has 40 councillors returned from across Limerick City and County. The Limerick City Metropolitan District
11328-507: The northern section known as Section Four in the McCann Report should be subject to protection of the alignment. Transport 21 was shelved by the current Irish Government in May 2011. There are no plans to re-open any more sections of the Western Rail Corridor. Former Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD is on record as saying the Government has no plans to re-open any further sections of
11446-588: The opening of the route an online booking facility was introduced in December 2013. On 6 January 2015, Iarnród Éireann reported that following the introduction of online booking and new adult fares, passenger numbers on the Galway-Limerick railway (Western Rail Corridor) for 2014 were in excess of 220,000, including a 72.5 per cent increase in passenger journeys through the Ennis- Athenry section of
11564-479: The poem's connection with the city is obscure, but the name is generally taken to be a reference to Limerick city or County Limerick , sometimes, particularly to the Maigue Poets , and may derive from an earlier form of nonsense verse parlour game that traditionally included a refrain that included "Will [or won't] you come (up) to Limerick?" The earliest known use of the name "Limerick" for this type of poem
11682-445: The presence of earlier settlements in the area surrounding King's Island, the island at the historical city centre. Antiquity's map-maker, Ptolemy , produced in 150 AD the earliest map of Ireland, showing a place called Regia at the same site as King's Island. History also records an important battle involving Cormac mac Airt in 221 and a visit by Saint Patrick in 434 to baptise an Dál gCais king, Carthann Finn. Saint Munchin ,
11800-585: The preservation and reclamation from encroachment of the northern section began and the Government then announced funding to begin Phase 1 (Ennis-Athenry) of the re-opening of the corridor. The reopening of these sections was included in the Transport 21 infrastructural plan, and the National Development Plan 2007–2013 "Transforming Ireland – A Better Quality of Life for All" . Transport 21
11918-570: The railway stations along this route, but instead are continuing to permit isolated rural housing. An Expert Working Group, headed by Pat McCann, CEO of Jurys Doyle Hotels, reported to the Minister for Transport regarding the prospects for reopening some or all of the route. The group was set up by Minister Séamus Brennan at the urging of West-on-Track in June 2004 and delivered its report to Minister Martin Cullen in May 2005. The report recommended
12036-440: The region, celebrated its bicentennial/bicentenary in 2015. As of 2015, Limerick had the highest disposable income per person in Ireland outside Dublin . Historically Limerick was an agricultural commodity-driven economy, due to its position as the first major port along the River Shannon. By the middle of the 18th century, Limerick Port grew to become one of Ireland's principal commercial ports, exporting agricultural produce from
12154-569: The reopening of most of the Corridor in three phases and the deferral of the reopening of the northernmost section: Phase 1: Ennis to Athenry 58 km / 36 miles (€74.7 million) Phase 2: Athenry to Tuam 25 km / 15.5 miles (€34.7 million) Phase 3: Tuam to Claremorris (subject to study of rail freight demand or in conjunction with phase 2) 27 km / 17 miles (€58.9 million) Phase 4: Claremorris to Collooney (subject to further feasibility studies and possibly justifiable on
12272-530: The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was sometimes called the most beautiful city in Ireland. The English-born judge Luke Gernon , a resident of Limerick, wrote in 1620 that at his first sight of the city he had been taken by its "lofty buildings of marble, like the Colleges in Oxford ". During the civil wars of the 17th century the city played a pivotal role, besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1651 and twice by
12390-427: The street as a through street. Road designs of bicycle boulevards can be found in the United States, Canada ( Vancouver , Saskatoon, Winnipeg ), the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain and New Zealand Bicycle boulevards can be found in a growing number of United States cities, including: Palo Alto established the first bicycle boulevard in the United States. It was named for Ellen Fletcher,
12508-551: The street at a high speed. However, they do not block access to motor vehicles completely (i.e. using bollards) which would designate the route as segregated cycle facilities rather than a bicycle boulevard. Some bicycle boulevards have higher road surface standards than other residential streets, and encourage riders to use the full lane, encouraging parity between bicycles and motor vehicles. Permeable barriers such as bollards are sometimes used to allow cycling traffic to continue through while diverting motorized traffic from using
12626-574: The treaty, Limerick is sometimes known as the Treaty City. This turbulent period earned the city its motto: urbs antiqua fuit studisque asperrima belli (an ancient city well studied in the arts of war). The peaceful times that followed the turmoil of the late 17th century allowed the city to prosper through trade in the late 18th century. During this time Limerick Port established itself as one of Ireland's major commercial ports exporting agricultural produce from one of Ireland's most fertile areas,
12744-419: The undertaking of a feasibility study into a rail link for Shannon Airport in his speech at the launch. This study, undertaken by MVA Consultants, estimated the proposed link would cost €700m, while an Iarnród Éireann manager stated that 'the costs of the construction of the rail link are out of proportion to the benefits to be gained'. Transport 21 also stated the section of line from Claremorris to Collooney,
12862-538: The western rail corridor, Athenry – Claremorris, has been programmed but not funded under Transport 21 while the Collooney – Claremorris northern section has not been programmed or funded bar some line clearance work in 2006. Transport 21 is no longer Irish government policy. In comments by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 22 December 2014 on Midwest radio said the Western Rail corridor was "not going to happen in
12980-529: Was at the centre of the Kingdom of Thomond which corresponds to the present day County Clare, the Kingdom also included North Kerry and parts of South Offaly . One of the kingdom's most notable kings was Brian Boru , ancestor of the O'Brien Clan of Dalcassians. The word Thomond is synonymous with the region and is retained in place names such as Thomondgate , Thomond Bridge and Thomond Park . Limerick in
13098-514: Was born in Limerick in 1971. The Limerick Art Gallery and the Art College cater for painting, sculpture, and performance art. The Limerick International Band Championship is an annual competition featuring marching bands from Limerick, the rest of Ireland, and the rest of the world. It is typically held around just after Saint Patrick's Day , with the bands parading through the city centre, and attracts large crowds. Dolan's Warehouse on
13216-424: Was delineated in 1950. Newer suburban districts such as Dooradoyle , Castletroy – including the University , Gouldavoher, and Raheen were continually administered to by Limerick County Council until the merger of the two authorities in June 2014. This local government structure in Limerick caused a number of inefficiencies, most notably in the area of planning. A number of suburbs such as Westbury and Parteen to
13334-563: Was formed within the united council, which extended the city area. The Metropolitan District includes the city urban area and extends outwards towards Patrickswell in the west and Castleconnell in the east. The City Metropolitan Area however excludes city suburbs located within County Clare . At the 2016 census , the Metropolitan District of Limerick had a population of 104,952. Luimneach originally referred to
13452-469: Was left in situ but severed at Collooney). Passenger services between Limerick and Claremorris ceased in 1976, though freight services continued for some time afterwards. In 1988, a new passenger service started between Limerick and Ennis operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This was expanded to Fridays and Saturdays in February 1993 and a six-day service in May 1994. In December 2003, a new seven train
13570-527: Was one of the oldest in Ireland and was only exceeded in age by Dublin City Council . In October 2012 the Government of Ireland published Putting People First- Action Programme for Effective Local Government which set out government policy for reforms across all the main areas of local government in Ireland. Among the recommendations was the merging of Limerick City Council with Limerick County Council . The changes came into effect on 1 June 2014 following
13688-570: Was the Gandelow which was also used as a small Lighter (barge) to ferry goods to and from larger ships in the port. In the 1920s the construction of a dam at Ardnacrusha severely impacted salmon breeding and that, and the introduction of quotas, had by the 1950s caused salmon fishing to diminish. By 2006, most fishermen had relinquished their drift net licences and the industry can now be said to be dormant. As with other cities in Ireland, several multinational companies are based in Limerick, and
13806-560: Was the growth in passenger numbers on the western rail corridor, which saw a 72.5 per cent increase from 29,000 to 50,000 journeys through the Ennis-Athenry section of the line". By 2017, the Ennis-Athenry section carried nearly 100,000 passengers. The idea of opening a greenway, on the Collooney-Claremorris section of the line, has been advocated by the campaign group Sligo-Mayo Greenway. This group has argued that
13924-446: Was the plan name given to long term public transport planning by the Irish government which fell from office in 2011. The plan was dropped by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar in 2011 and is no longer the blueprint for transport planning in Ireland. The Western Rail Corridor encompasses a series of railways built by various companies throughout the late 19th century, forming a south–north line from Limerick to Sligo . Towns along
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