Residents associations urged to get behind new local authority initiative

Residents’ groups throughout the city have been urged to get behind a new initiative which would see the ‘greening’ of run-down alleyways in their area.

In September, the Council launched a ‘Greening the Laneways’ project, with an overhaul of the Rocky Road in Westside.

Now, Councillor Terry O’Flaherty – who came up with the idea earlier this year – has called for communities around the city to follow suit.

“This is an idea I put forward at the February meeting of the City Council’s Climate, Environment Recreation and Amenity Strategic Policy Committee, and it’s been put into action for the first time in the Westside

“Galway City Council partnered with local residents and young people to ‘green’ the Rocky Road in Coogan Park, transforming it into a vibrant, nature friendly-space

“I think it’s a fantastic idea, and I hope that the Westside project will be the first of many all over the city.

“As well as taking the rough look off those alleyways, many of which have really been let go and look very decrepit, it also helps to curb anti-social behaviour and littering.

“I would like to see this initiative spread across the city particularly in the east ward as it would be great to see residents’ associations and especially young children coming on board and taking ownership of the alleyways in their areas,” she said.

Cllr O’Flaherty said that the idea was thought to be a first for the Republic of Ireland, one inspired by a similar initiative she saw launched in Northern Ireland at the start of this year.

For the Westside project, the City Council supplied planters and its Parks staff helped local residents and young people plant flowers, shrubs and an ‘edible landscape’ with fruit trees, strawberry bushes and even cabbage plants.

Locals were also involved in painting vibrant murals on the themes of climate action, biodiversity and anti-littering along the laneway with the help of talented professional artist Lukasz Kryzwon.

Cllr O’Flaherty said that relatively little funding would be required to extend the scheme to alleyways dotted all over the city.

“The costs are not huge and the returns are terrific for everyone — the alleyways which may have been eyesores are turned into things of beauty that everyone can enjoy, and working on the project gives the local community a sense of pride in their area.

“It’s a wonderful thing for children participate in the work from the start, and I can see a situation where schools might get involved in coming up with ideas for their own neighbourhoods, and working with residents in the areas where the alleyways are located,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.