Donal O'Regan, 15 Jul
THE PEOPLE of Kilmallock are asking why there is no giant flag in
support of the Limerick hurlers on the town’s King’s Castle.
The massive showcase of pride in the county’s hurlers had gone down a
storm in recent years when erected on the castle by members of
Kilmallock Tourism Development CE Scheme.
The 40 foot by 30 foot flag even garnered local and national media
attention ahead of last year’s All-Ireland final.
However, earlier this week, a message was posted on the Kilmallock
Tourism Development Facebook page. It reads: "They stopped us putting
up the big flag. But they won't stop us from putting up our colours.
C'mon now Kilmallock show your support for our lads - get your green
and white out. H’on Limerick."
Locals have been left scratching their heads as to why the flag hasn't
been erected this year.
"No one owns that castle, it belongs to the town. We should start a
campaign to bring back the flag," one local posted on Facebook.
"It was up for a couple of days, the castle has stood," posted another
in reference to previous years. "It was beautiful up there," they
added.
[Limerick_Boat_2-1657882137594.jpg--hurling_fan_christy_s_hoping_for_a_
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Hurling fan Christy's hoping for a 'ferry-tale ending' to Limerick's
All-Ireland campaign
When Limerick Live contacted local councillor Mike Donegan - who is
also chair of Kilmallock Tourism Development - he explained that on
Monday, July 4 - the day after Limerick beat Galway in the All-Ireland
semi-final - he received communication from The Office of Public
Works (OPW) via a senior officer at Limerick City and County Council.
"They advised us, as a community, not to put the flag up due to the
condition of King's Castle. They said it was for health and safety
reasons and for fear of causing any damage to the structure," said Cllr
Donegan.
Cllr Donegan said the OPW - who manage King’s Castle - advised them to
take the flag down last year.
"They had safety concerns," said Cllr Donegan.
Consequently, if there was an insurance claim, Kilmallock Tourism
Development wouldn’t be covered, he said.
Executive Archaeologist at Limerick City and County Council, Sarah
McCutcheon, made contact with Cllr Donegan on behalf of the OPW.
"I would see as part of my role, liaising with the national monument
section of the OPW and the national monument service of the Department
of Heritage. They tend to come to me occasionally in these kind of
situations.
"They (OPW) came to me informally because they were worried about the
effect of the banner on the structure. I asked around and I contacted
people I thought might have knowledge of where it came from and how it
got it up there," said Ms McCutcheon.
She stressed that the "OPW have been nothing but co-operative".
"Anytime we have asked to use King's Castle in the past, not only have
they allowed us to do it but they have gone in and been rigorous in
making sure it was clean, tidy, and beautifully presented and any of of
the other buildings as well. They have been nothing but co-operative.
"When I have been helping communities organise events in Askeaton or
anywhere where there are national monuments owned by the State and
maintained by the OPW they have bent over backwards to assist and open
and beautifully present the structures," said Ms McCutcheon.
[Clancys_bar-1657794344388_1657794416.jpg--_finn_ishing__touches__limer
ick_sporting_greats_celebrated_in_magnificent_mural.jpg?1657794416000]
‘Finn-ishing’ touches: Limerick sporting greats celebrated in
magnificent mural
Cllr Donegan said there is a lot of disappointment that there is no
giant flag on King's Castle this year.
"A lot of people have contacted me about it. Some have made the
argument that there are giant flags on King John’s Castle in the city
and the Fuller’s Folly building in Newcastle West but they are owned by
the council. King’s Castle in Kilmallock is under the jurisdiction of
the OPW," said Cllr Donegan.
He hopes that an alternative site may be found for the flag in the
town. Cllr Donegan said he will also be asking the OPW to carry out a
survey of King’s Castle.
"As a councillor I want to make sure it is safe for people to be
walking under it," said Cllr Donegan.
[ilim_All_Ireland_tribute_outside_Ken_Dalys_home_Grange_5-1657736050557
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Passionate Limerick hurling family makes room in the leaba for Liam!
in a statement issued on Thursday, a spokesperson for the OPW stated:
"The Office of Public Works has no record of receiving a request for
permission to fly a flag on the structure in Kilmallock. Therefore,
OPW never refused or advised them not to do so."
In a follow-up query from Limerick Live on Thursday, the OPW were asked
what their decision would be if a request for permission was issued to
them.
In reply, a spokesperson said: "A very large banner was erected on
King’s Castle in 2021, the fixing of which endangered vulnerable
masonry. Fixing a banner to a monument is in breach of National
Monuments legislation and is illegal. There are procedures in place
within the OPW for the community to use the Castle to support
Limerick. All such requests must initially be directed through the OPW
Press Office. Given the lateness of the request, it is not possible to
facilitate any request of this nature this year, but the advice is to
engage with us as soon as possible if the community wish to support
their team next year."