44 communities from across County Limerick are busily preparing for the judging stages of the 6th annual ‘Limerick in Bloom’ competition which takes place early next week.

Limerick County Council, in conjunction with the JP McManus Charitable Foundation, have hosted the competition since 2008 as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout Limerick to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

Local communities participating include Tidy Towns groups from Anglesborough, Ardpatrick, Glenbrohane and Galbally in Category 1 while Category 3 includes communities such as Hospital, Bruff and Kilmallock etc., with Hospital Voluntary Housing Association participating in category 4.

Competition categories are based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category. Category 1 features villages with a population less than 300, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people, Category 3 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, and Category 4 includes housing estates and community Aeas.

According to Cllr Leo Walsh, chair of the Council’s Environment SPC: “This annual awards scheme is a celebration of all that is good about the vibrant community and spirit that exists throughout Limerick. I want to acknowledge the work being carried out by community groups and residents associations behind the scenes and thank them for their valuable contribution to their respective housing estates, villages, and towns.”