Brian Leddin

I wrote this blog post about the importance of the railway to Shannon.

The most important infrastructure project for Counties Clare and Limerick that nobody is talking about Ireland’s population is expected to grow by around one million people by 2040. On current trends, much of that growth, together with the economic activity it brings, will be concentrated in Dublin, Leinster and Cork. An already unbalanced country will become more so. Dublin’s expansion will be f...

This is a thoughtful, measured and informed opinion about the future of Limerick, the Mayor's and traders' roles, by Richard Rice of Healy Architects. Well worth a read.

How do we want Limerick city centre to develop? Architect and director at the firm Healy Partners Architects Richard Rice considers the question of how do we want Limerick city centre to develop?

I'm really delighted to see formal moves made in the direction of Limerick seeking UNESCO Heritage City status. So much of our heritage has been destroyed over the years, and what's left is still under valued and consequently under threat. Thankfully, despite the losses we still have a huge amount of unique medieval and Georgian built heritage. This work that has been initiated by the Mayor and the Council will identify where we're strong and where we're weak. I hope it does lead to us seeking UNESCO Heritage City status because with that will come significant funding to protect our ancient city and also, more than likely, a surge in tourism.

Limerick seeks Unesco World Heritage Site status for historic city centre Expert group to assess nomination centred on Newtown Pery, King’s Island, the port and quays

Limerick City and County Councillors have shown unprecedented unity, voting unanimously to reject the multi-billion euro Shannon-to-Dublin water pipeline.

Full story in the comments 👇

Limerick Green councillor demands assessment of Dublin water pipeline alongside Shannon fish-passage plan GREEN Party councillor Seán Hartigan warns that proceeding with the Parteen Basin water abstraction, treatment plant, and pipeline...

The Midwest Region has been relegated to the third division with today's National Development Plan announcement. While Cork will be the beneficiary of an entire commuter rail system amounting to over a billion in investment, Clare and Limerick are getting nothing at all, despite a commuter rail system, and rail link to Shannon Airport, being much more deliverable here than in Cork. Where do our government TDs and Senators stand on this? And what about our opposition TDs and Senators? Did any of them lobby at all for this infrastructure that would drive economic growth in the region more than any other?

Revised National Development Plan delivers €1bn for Cork rail expansion and new stations More than €1bn will accelerate Cork’s commuter rail expansion as the updated NDP shifts transport spending towards a new 1:1 ratio