IMAGES of Limerick as seen through the eyes of its youngest citizens will be displayed in a novel way in an exhibition launched yesterday.
The exhibition, “The Limerick I Love”, is inviting children to take pictures of whatever they love about the riverside city. The images will be used to brighten up many of the retail units currently lying vacant in the city.
Limerick City Council estimates that 25 per cent of city centre dwellings are currently unoccupied, but it’s hoped that many of the vacant premises will be incorporated in the €350 million Opera Centre which is still before An Bord Pleanála.
Children and teachers from Limerick primary schools were present at City Hall yesterday, where Mayor John Gilligan launched the photographic exhibition with a 4ft x 30ft image featuring a new, unique view of Limerick. “I warmly encourage pupils to take part in this project, which I truly believe will be a success and a lovely way for our schoolchildren to show civic pride in our great city,” Mr Gilligan said.
All of the images entered into the exhibition will be displayed in the heart of the city using the new retail units in Bedford Row (the old Central Cinema) and the Thomas Street centre, on the corner of Thomas Street and Catherine Street.
Many of the images will be enlarged and framed and the child photographer’s name, age and school will be displayed beside their entry, according to event organisers the Limerick Co-Ordination Office.
“All entrants are eligible to win prizes including a computer for the winning school, digital cameras and more. A selection of entries will also be featured in the Limerick Leader newspaper and displayed on our website, www.limerickcoordination.ie,” explained Laura Ryan, spokesperson for the office.
The event is also supported by Limerick photographic exhibition company Relive the Memory.
“Our business is about bringing photos to life, through a process of enlarging, enhancing and framing. An event such as this acts as an ideal reminder to people of just how special images can be,” explained Dermot Long of Relive the Memory.
The closing date for entry to the exhibition is Thursday, April 2nd. The entries will be exhibited from Monday, April 20th to Friday, April 24th at the city centre locations.