Class Visits Continue

Here are the girls from 3rd Class St. Munchin's Girls on their recent visit to the library.

Chidrens Book Review - by Niamh Mary Long

Title: The Playful Puppy

Author: Lucy Daniels

It Is About: Peter has a new puppy that can not walk.
Mandy does not want to go away from Peter's new puppy.

I have chosen it because: I wanted to have a friendly story about a brand new puppy.

Review By: Niamh Mary Long

Date: 20/02/08

Newswatch - Limerick Leader -Bird's eye view of Moyross as falcons set to swoop

Bird's eye view of Moyross as falcons set to swoop

By Petula Martyn and Jude Meaney
Limerick Leader

THREE peregrine falcons will record a bird's eye view of Moyross as a part of an art project commissioned by the new Watchhouse Cross Library.
The aim of the project is to capture on film an alternative view of Moyross from the image often portrayed in the media. The specially trained falcons, with small cameras attached to their heads, will glide over the northside estate, recording footage for a documentary.

Artist Sean Lynch told the Limerick Leader the film will act as an historical record when the regeneration of Moyross is completed. "When journalists go to Moyross, they go to the back and photos are taken of derelict houses," he said, "whereas a bird has no preconceived ideas and will simply document the geography of the area from the sky.

"It will also act an historical record when the regeneration is completed so it won't just be a one-off ."

BBC wildlife cameraman Jonathan Wade, who has worked with David Attenborough, and bird handler Lloyd Buck will play major roles in this unique initiative.

"Normally filming of this nature takes place in the glens of Scotland," Sean, a Listowel man, explained. "These birds fly around 100 miles per hour and when they swoop towards their prey they can reach speeds of 250 miles per hour.

"A small camera will be put on the birds' heads so you will literally get a bird's eye view," he added. "I'm looking forward to it; it should be great fun."

Filming in Moyross depends heavily on the weather but it is hoped work will begin at the end of March or in early April.

The full article contains 280 words and appears in Limerick Leader City Edition newspaper.

Source

World Book Day

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.

The origins of the day we now celebrate in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, Spain where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St. George’s Day – a tradition started over 80 years ago.

World Book Day 2008 in the UK and Ireland will take place on Thursday 6th March. Please note that this date applies to the UK and Ireland only. The initiative is so well established in schools here that we want to make sure that the Day happens in term time to really make the most of this opportunity to celebrate books and reading. Most other countries hold World Book Day on 23rd April every year.

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all.

A main aim of World Book Day is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. To support this aim, a Schools’ Pack full of ideas and activities, display material and more information about how to get involved in World Book Day will be mailed to schools (including those secondary schools that have specially registered to participate) from mid-January 2008. Registered pre-schools will also receive material around the same time. In the Events section you can see the range of activities and events organised by thousands of people around the country, many of which you can attend.

For more info click here

Minister O'Dea launches Limerick Library Initiative

An initiative aimed at showing the importance of libraries was officially launched by the Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea, on Monday.

For the full story click here

Limerick City Boundary Extension Signed into Law at WHC Library

Moyross, Cahirdavin and Coonagh are now part of the city thanks to the partial boundary extension. Here are what those involved had to say.

"Limerick County Council recognises the need to develop such a Region. Therefore, it has approved the limited extension, in the interests of the overall development of Limerick. Indeed, our presence in Moyross today is symbolic of the combined vision and mandate of the Government, Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council to deliver a brighter and inclusive future for Limerick and its people”, he explained.

Councillor Sheahan continued, “Our common goal dictates that communities across Limerick City and County are encouraged, developed and facilitated in every way possible. The Regeneration Initiative for the Moyross area and the Boundary extension make this goal more easily attainable."

Cllr Kevin Sheehan
Chairman, Limerick County Council

"I am determined to see through the actions set out in John Fitzgerald’s report and this is another concrete action delivered. This Order will help reinforce the substantial momentum being generated to establish the conditions for a lasting and sustainable improvement on the lives of the people of Moyross, its wider neighbourhood and the city and region as a whole,” said Minister Gormley.

This is an exciting time for Limerick. I have a strong personal connection with Limerick City and I will continue to give my full support to the regeneration and development work underway here. I particularly welcome the depth of cooperation between Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council on this issue.

John Gormley TD
Minister for the Environment, and Local Government

For more information on the Boundary Extension please go here

Fair Trade Fortnight Launch at Limerick City Library

On Friday 29th February, Fair Trade fortnight was launched in Limerick City Library by the Mayor Cllr. Ger Fahy. On hand to explain the importance of this movement was Armanda Choco who is an indigenous Mayan from Belize who works with the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA). The Cacao produced by TCGA goes into Green & Black's Maya gold chocolate bar. This was the 1st Fair Trade chocolate bar to hit the market.
Mr. Choco explained how the fair trade price his farmers receive enable them to educate their children and improve their lives.







Press Release


Fairtrade Fortnight was officially launched in the Limerick City Library Michael Street by Mayor Cllr Ger Fahy on Friday 29th February. Mr Luis Armondo Choco, a Fairtrade Producer from Belize was the guest speaker at the event.

Fairtrade is about better prices and decent working conditions for producers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which often discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. Fairtrade enables producers to improve and have more control over their lives. For a product to be sold under the fairtrade logo it must reach certain standards. These standards include both minimum social, economic and environmental requirements.

The Fairtrade minimum price defines the lowest possible price that a buyer of Fairtrade products must pay the producer. The minimum price is set based on a consultative process with Fairtrade producers and traders and guarantees that producers receive a price which covers the cost of sustainable production. When the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum price, the market price is payable.


Limerick is one of twenty-six Irish cities and towns with the fairtrade mark. Mayor Ger Fahy thanked the Limerick Fairtrade Committee for their ongoing work.

Mayor Cllr Ger Fahy

‘I am delighted with Limerick City’s involvement in the Fairtrade movement and proud of the city’s status as a Fairtrade City. ‘


Luis Armando Choco, an indigenous Mayan living in the village of San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District, Belize is the manager of the Toledo Cocoa Growers Association (TCGA) says…..

‘Since becoming Fairtrade, the TCGA has accomplished various social, environmental and economic benefits for the farmers, including the rehabilitation of an abandoned cocoa plantation whose income provides jobs for farmers and assistance for local schools. Similarly, it provides loans to farmers for major orchard maintenance thereby increasing productivity. Fairtrade contributes significantly to farmers when given the right to decide where their money will be spent.’

Dolores O Meara, Chair of the Limerick Fairtrade Committee

‘Fairtrade helps to make real and lasting differences to thousands of fairtrade producers in the developing world. It empowers communities to help themselves. Fairtrade certification system covers a growing range of products, including bananas, tea, coffee, honey, cocoa cotton, dried fruits, juices, nuts rice, sugar and wine.’


Fairtrade is about better prices and decent working conditions for producers in the developing world.
Limerick is one of twenty-six Irish cities and towns with the fair-trade mark.

Retail sales in Ireland are up by 74% to over 20 million in 07 from 11.5 in 2006.

56% of irish people are now aware of Fairtrade brand compared with 16% in 2002.

Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which often discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers.

Fairtrade enables producers to improve and have more control over their lives.

For a product to be sold under the fairtrade logo it must reach certain standards. These standards include both minimum social, economic and environmental requirements.