Released on: February 19, 2008, 9:42 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: 19th February 2008 - Representatives of over 30 community
groups, tidy towns committees and Residents' Associations from across County
Limerick this week attended the launch of two new environmental initiatives, the
'Limerick in Bloom Competition' and 'Priming Grants Scheme'.

Press Release Body: The launch formed part of a Limerick County Council/Shannon
Development-hosted workshop, entitled 'Working to Win - Supporting Tidy Towns in
County Limerick', at which the '2008 Tidy Towns Competition' was also launched.

This week's event also featured presentations from some of Ireland's best-known
wildlife and environmental experts, including Mr. Eamonn de Staffort, National Tidy
Towns Adjudicator & International Adjudicator of Entente Florale.

Mr Staffort urged those in attendance to participate in the 50th annual Tidy Towns
Competition. He explained that this year's competition would feature a commemorative
stamp, commemorative publication focusing on the winning towns over the past half
century, new website, St. Patrick's Day Parade and an awards ceremony to be
broadcast on RTE.

National Environment Personality, Ms. Eanna Ní Lamhna provided those in attendance
with an entertaining presentation on 'Tidy Towns - Part of a vibrant natural
environment'.

She said that towns and villages were living places, not only for people, but for
wildlife as well.

"It is important that we do everything possible to maintain wildlife habitats in our
town parks, school grounds, front and back gardens, graveyards, rivers and canals,
hedges and roundabouts, as well as window boxes and hanging baskets. Once the areas
where wildlife can live are identified then the challenge is to manage them so that
conditions are improved, in other words to increase biodiversity", stated Ms. Ní
Lamhna.

Meanwhile, the Horticulture Section of Limerick County Council marked the upcoming
National Tree Week 2008 by providing those attending the workshop with sapling
trees. The local authority's Heritage Officer also distributed numerous
publications, including a Teagasc booklet on 'Routine Trimming of Hedgerows' and The
Heritage Council's 'Conserving and Enhancing Wildlife in Towns and Villages'.

Elsewhere, the Environment Directorate of Limerick County Council hosted an
information stand from where it distributed several information leaflets on the
prevention of litter, including "Composting Is Easy', "WEEE"- the recycling of waste
electrical and electronic equipment', 'Prevention of Landfill' and 'Waste Watchers -
A guide to slimming your bin'.

Addressing the workshop at Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, Cllr. Kevin
Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, stated, "The aim of the 'Limerick
in Bloom Competition' and 'Priming Grant Scheme' is to further enhance the
appearance of towns and villages throughout the county. They will also help the
local authority to develop and strengthen the concept of promoting community
involvement in environmental initiatives."

He added, "The success of these new schemes is largely dependant on the
participation of community groups and associations. The attendance of over one
hundred representatives of such organisations at the launch of these initiatives is
very encouraging and is indicative of the high regard the people of Limerick have
for the environment around them."

Limerick County Council has described the newly developed 'Limerick in Bloom
Competition' as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups
throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of
flower, tree and shrub planting.

Judging, which takes place from mid-July to mid-August, considers such factors as
colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes
along with the management of litter. Categories are based on population size with a
first, second and third prize in each category of EUR1100, EUR550 EUR300
respectively

The purpose of the 'Priming Grant Scheme' is to allow Limerick County Council to
contribute financially to local groups that carry out environmental work. Grant aid
of up to a maximum of EUR500 must be used for the purpose of purchasing trees,
shrubs, brushes, shovels, street furniture and other incidental items that are
required to carry out the maintenance and improvement works.

The closing date for receipt of applications for both schemes is 4pm on Friday, 30th
May 2008. Further information is available from the Community and Enterprise section
of Limerick County Council on 061-496454.

-ENDS-

NOTE TO EDITOR:
Further information is available from Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on
086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly
Ennis
IRELAND
media@dunphypr.com
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00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)