We all need to reach out to our local representatives to let them know we do not want our pool to be closed.
While Askeaton Swimming Pool is in the Adare-Rathkeale District, the Newcastlewest District is home to a large number of pool users.
We encourage everyone in these districts to contact your local representatives to voice your concerns and objections to the closure. To assist you, here is a template letter to copy, edit to suit, and send out:
Dear [Local Rep name]
It was announced last week that Limerick City and County Council plan to close Askeaton Swimming Pool on March 16th for at least 12 months. The public reason given for the closure is necessary maintenance despite the contract NOT having yet gone to tender with no start date identified for the work, or duration for said works. There is no confidence in the public domain that the pool will reopen.
The pool is a critical amenity for all generations with a large catchment area, being the only public swimming pool in Co.Limerick.
- Over 30 schools use the pool for lessons which are part of the primary school curriculum.
- It is a source of local employment.
- Askeaton Swimming Club trains at the pool extensively.
- Deel Swimmers train at the pool every week.
- Numerous other groups and clubs using the facility on a daily and weekly basis, including the Brothers of Charity.
- The volume of traffic through the town using the facility and the resulting trade should not be underestimated.
Without this pool, our children have no swimming pool to learn how to swim or train for competition.
[Insert any further detail that is relevant to you and your family here – for example, your children train and compete, and the impact this closure will have on their physical and mental health, as well as ambitions to achieve in swimming. Loss of hydro therapy for injuries, etc, etc.]
[I/We] ask you as our public representative, to help us prevent this excessive closure period and ensure Askeaton Swimming Pool remains open and operational for everyone.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address/Contact information]
Limerick's Public Representatives
County Limerick Councillors
Adare-Rathkeale District
Bridie Collins
Adare
Telephone: +353 87 2517102, +353 83 3640776
Email: bridie.collins@limerick.ie
Stephen Keary
Rathkeale
Telephone: +353 69 64829, +353 87 8676363
Email: stephen.keary@limerick.ie
Kevin Sheehan
Askeaton
Telephone: +353 61 392125, +353 87 2926333
Email: kevin.sheahan@limerick.ie
Adam Teskey
Ardagh
Telephone +353 87 4577495
Email: adam.teskey@limerick.ie
Emmett O’Brien
Pallaskenry
Telephone: +353 61 393073, +353 87 7998199
Email: emmett.obrien@limerick.ie
John O’Donoghue
Killmallock
Telephone: +353 87 4065561
Email: johnj.odonoghue@limerick.ie
Newcastlewest District
Francis Foley
Abbeyfeale
Telephone: +353 68 31878, +353 87 6391305
Email: francis.foley@limerick.ie
Michael Collins
Newcastle West
Telephone: +353 69 66766, +353 87 2561303
Email: michael.collins@limerick.ie
Liam Galvin
Abbeyfeale
Telephone: +353 68 31428, +353 87 9850435
Email: liam.galvin@limerick.ie
Tom Ruddle
Newcastle West
Telephone: +353 86 2304901
Email: tom.ruddle@limerick.ie
Jerome Scanlan
Feohanagh
Telephone +353 69 72273, +353 69 77379, +353 87 9979353
Email: jerome.scanlan@limerick.ie
John Sheahan
Glin
Telephone: +353 68 34662, +353 87 207 9268
Email: john.sheahan@limerick.ie
County Limerick TDs
Niall Collins FF
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Red House Hill, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
Member contact details:
(061) 300 149
(087) 274 9659
(01) 618 3577
niall.collins@oireachtas.ie
Patrick O’Donovan FG
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
St. Mary’s Rd, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Member contact details:
(069) 779 98
(01) 618 3610
patrick.odonovan@oireachtas.ie
Richard O’Donoghue Independent
Charleville Rd, Kilmallock, Co.Limerick, V35 HK18
Member contact details:
(063) 31133
(01) 6183500
richard.odonoghue@oireachtas.ie