Athea Tidy Towns-22/12/2020 « Athea & District Notes

Dec/20

Athea Tidy Towns-22/12/2020

By Damien Aherne

Athea Tidy Towns Committee with Fr. Brendan Duggan

Athea Tidy Towns Launch their Newest Project – a contactless Bottle Refill Station

A Contactless Bottle Refill Station is the newest facility to be installed in Athea, thanks to the efforts of the local Tidy Towns Committee. The idea was muted a number of months ago by the group who then decided to submit a funding proposal supported by Councillor John Sheahan to the Community Enhancement Programme through Limerick City & County Council. The proposal was successful and a grant of €4000 was made available towards the installation. The group enlisted the help of local illustrator Rachael Grainger who designed the artwork for the fountain. Rachael was previously commissioned by the group to bring the Athea Heritage Trail to life through her unique designs.

Athea Tidy Towns are hopeful this will reduce their consumption of single use plastics and help us in our efforts to become a more sustainable community. The hills around Athea are a popular route for cyclists who pass through the village regularly who will now be encouraged to stop and refill their water bottle at the site. Pedestrians and local school children will also be able to access the fountain with their reusable bottle.

Following a public call out for a sponsor to fund the ongoing maintenance costs of the unit, Athea & District Credit Union have generously offered to cover the cost of maintaining the unit ensuring a fresh clean water supply in the years ahead.

Speaking with Athea Tidy Towns Secretary, Damien Ahern, he noted; ‘We would like to especially thank Sinéad

O’Donnell and Padraig Vallely at Limerick City & County Council for assisting us with delivering this project and to Councillor John Sheahan for assisting us with funding applications. We are delighted to be one of five locations within the county to be home to a contactless Bottle Refill Station. We are encouraging everyone to bring their reusable bottle to our new fountain and to ‘have a bottle on us’.

The fountain was launched on Sunday, December 20th and a blessing was performed by Fr. Brendan Duggan.

History of Athea’s Water – By Jamie Kelly

Water has always been considered an important resource by our ancestors. Many of our ancient traditions and beliefs revolve around the power that it holds. For centuries, water has flowed through Athea Village providing a never-ending supply. The Galey, the Village Pump and the Athea Water Scheme (1929) all provided inhabitants and passers-by with a source of water for drinking, cooking and washing. The installation of this new water fountain beside the 1930’s water hydrant continues the tradition of people accessing water in the heart of Athea Village.