A new €100,000 state-of-the-art playground has been officially opened in Askeaton, Co Limerick.

The facility was developed by Limerick County Council in conjunction with the Askeaton Playground Committee.

Located along the banks of the River Deel and adjacent to the local Pool And Leisure Centre, the community facility was built by Down-based contractor Play and Leisure Services Ltd and caters for children aged 12 years and under.

The Askeaton Playground Committee raised €11,000 toward the cost of the new playground.

Among the local businesses that contributed to this figure were Twohigs SuperValu, The Cois Sionna Credit Union, The Bank of Ireland Askeaton, Allied Irish Bank Askeaton and Aughinish Alumina.

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Local Councillor Kevin Sheahan, who performed the official opening, said: "This playground is yet another valuable addition to Askeaton's public recreational infrastructure. I have every confidence that the sense of community spirit that has been engendered by the local Pool and Leisure Centre will be complemented by this fine facility."

He said the construction of the playground in 'The Green' area of the town was appropriate, as generations of parishioners had used the site for recreational activities.

Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Limerick County Council expressed her confidence that the new playground would encourage healthy and fun activity for children.

"In the current economic climate Limerick County Council has had to re-focus its efforts on helping local playground committees to explore alternative mechanisms for the delivery of playgrounds," said Ms Coughlan.

(PR/JM)