LIMERICK PEOPLE will remember deceased relatives and friends this Christmas on a special Remembrance Tree, unveiled in the city yesterday.
The new addition to the festive calendar was unveiled by Limerick Thomond Rotary Club at the junction of Bedford Row and Octennial Street.
Members of the public are invited to write the name of the person they wish to be remembered on a ribbon that will be put on the Remembrance Tree.
According to organisers of the initiative, the tree will become a sea of yellow, with thousands of ribbons fixed to its branches over the coming weeks.
Tony Brazil, president of Limerick Thomond Rotary Club, said it was hoped the location of the Remembrance Tree on Bedford Row would be a focal point of assembly for shoppers and visitors.
“We’d be delighted if schools choirs and choral groups would use this site for singing carols that are so much part of our Christmas celebrations,” he said.
“It’s a lovely way to remember a loved one by tying a ribbon on the tree in their memory and the tree will stand proudly in the heart of our city centre this December,” he continued.
Limerick Thomond Rotary Club has nominated two organisations to benefit from the voluntary donations that the public may contribute to this project. These are the Midwestern Cancer Foundation in Dooradoyle and the Special Olympics Fund.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Limerick Co-ordination Office has dismissed claims that the cost of repairing and reinstating Ireland’s tallest tree on the river Shannon will run to up to €30,000.
The 100ft “green tree”, which is made entirely from recycled metal, was damaged last month when it cut loose from its moorings and slammed into the Shannon Bridge.