www.lmkeating.ie L&M Keating Ltd, Kilmihil, Building & Civil Engineering Contractors.

A MASSIVE operation to erect Ireland's largest single-support canopy over one of the country's oldest markets has been successfully completed in Limerick.

The unique installation now covers the famous Limerick City Milk Market, which has operated since 1852.

The work is part of an ongoing €2m refurbishment project at the market, which is due for completion this summer and which will transform the Milk Market into a unique, all-weather, seven-days-a-week venue.

The canopy installation involved a major logistical exercise, which started with the transportation by road from Rosslare of the 24m support column, comparable in height to an eight-storey building.

This necessitated special traffic arrangements en route. The 5-tonne steel mast was then hoisted into position at the Milk Market with specialised equipment so that it could support its 1.8-tonne canvas canopy, which covers a surface area of about half-an-acre. The structure is the biggest single support canopy in Ireland.

Clare based construction firm, L&M Keating, is the lead partner in the Milk Market refurbishment project, which was commissioned by the Limerick Market Trustees, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1852.

The erection of the main mast which supports the canopy was completed on Tuesday, while work on installing the canopy continued on Wednesday until it was finally secured in position late that evening. Engineers spent yesterday putting the final touches to the installation.

When the Milk Market reopens later this year trading hours will be extended and a "foodies' hub" will be created with a limited number of premier producers earmarked to join the existing Milk Market retailers to run a year-round operation.

It is also hoped the historic market will make an attractive venue in Limerick city centre available to host some compatible, hand picked events through-out the year - Christmas markets, food fairs and classical concerts.

David O'Mahony, chairman of Limerick Market Trustees, said: "We aim to have the Milk Market recognised as the outstanding example of best practice in market operations in Ireland and beyond."

"In fact, this process has already begun with the Milk Market already being awarded the Certificate of Good Practice Standard for Farmers' Markets by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in conjunction with Bord Bia."

by Pat Flynn
Irish Examiner, March 19th 2010