Ireland’s first directly elected mayor opens city centre street to non-car uses for August

— Mayor says he wants to “prioritise the use of streets for activation over vehicular traffic”.

The Crescent in Limerick city centre, a section of street between O’Connell Street and Quinlan Street, has been made car-free for the month of August.

The month-long trial is happening just months after John Moran was elected as Mayor of Limerick, and Ireland’s first directly elected mayor. It’s part of a push for larger pedestrianisation around the city’s Georgian quarter.

He is encouraging the public and groups to help energise the space, which included live music today.

Mayor Moran said: “I am so proud of the team at Limerick City and County Council who have pulled this off for me. We’ll get more planting and furniture now as we work through the month. But this amazing urban space has already become a lovely silent oasis so that people can enjoy it. Please come and bring your friends.”

Artists, sports clubs, theatre groups, community groups, and individuals are being invited to make use of the space and out-of-pocket overheads to facilitate participation by as many groups as possible can be applied for. Suggested uses include “showcasing dancing or music talents, organising chess, other competitions, training or simply wanting to book space for local picnics or get-togethers”.

Mayor Moran said: “Limerick’s energy is contagious, and this month we want to capture the essence of our city and county. From the arts to adventure, Limerick offers something truly special. Come and feel it for yourself. I have long believed that if we offer our public realm for other uses, that people will respond and the streets will come alive in different and more fun ways.”

The Mayor has set up a fund offering between €250 and €2,000 to cover “out of pocket costs and modest fees for performers/supervisors”.   

A statement from Limerick City and County Council said that as the timing is short, groups interested are encouraged to immediately register their interest by emailing festivalandevents@limerick.ie.

A secondary location being offered for use is the area between City Hall and King John’s Castle, which has been cleaned up.

“The officials of Limerick City and County Council have moved mountains very quickly for me to make this possible. I want to thank them for doing their part. I really hope now that the local residents and businesses of Limerick city will respond and join with me in supporting this trial over what should otherwise be a quiet month for our city centre,” he said.

The Mayor added: “Let’s make this fun and interesting. It does not have to be complicated. Why not just grab some folding chairs and read a favourite book or have pizza or a takeaway al fresco with Daniel O’Connell watching over you among Limerick’s Georgian buildings. I will make one promise that if we make this work, our ambitions for next year will be even greater. We say that Limerick has a Different Kind of Energy. Let’s all now do our part to show what that means in practice.”