THE four Irish cities vying to be designated European City of Culture for 2005 will enter the final round of the contest on Tuesday when delegations make their cases to the judging panel in Brussels.
Members of Limerick's delegation, which includes the corporation, Chamber of Commerce and arts representatives, have been meeting in recent weeks to rehearse for the 20-minute presentation.
It will be based on a written submission made to the Council of Europe's cultural committee late last year. Competing against the city are Cork, Galway and Waterford. Dublin is excluded because it held the title in 1991. This was the last time Irish cities were considered in the rotational competition, which has a prize fund of up to £5.8 million from Government and EU sources.
Limerick is basing its submission on its new relationship with the Shannon which, within four years, will include a dramatic improvement in water quality following the installation of the main drainage scheme.
The dynamic arts scene will include a new Belltable Arts Centre on the river which, since this summer, is host to the city's new marina.
River-based arts performances off Arthur's Quay in "a natural amphitheatre" are also planned. Audiences would be accommodated on both river banks and on Sarsfield Bridge. The University of Limerick is proposing to build an arts village on the river.
"There are other institutions developing artistic and cultural infrastructure which adds to the quality of lifestyle of the city," said the city manager, Mr Brendan Keating.
"Regardless of whether we win, we are going to develop the cultural dimension of our city." The application is centred on the Shannon and what it represents in Irish history. "Limerick was originally settled by the Vikings at the first fordable point, the Curragour Fallys, of the river Shannon (Hlymreker) in the 9th and 10th centuries," the submission notes.
"The substance of our case is a wide range of cultural activities and organisations which exist in Limerick and the wider area," said Mr Keating.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr David O'Mahony, said the city was ready and the commercial sector was behind the bid. "There is a unified force in this regard. Shannon Development, the corporation and the chamber are putting their heads together to make this happen. That in itself is providing a wonderful nucleus and impetus for action."
Among the Limerick delegates will be Prof Micheal O Suilleabain, of the University of Limerick's Irish World Music Centre, and Ms Monica Spencer, of Daghdha Dance Company.