The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

The rate at which jobs are being lost in Limerick City and County continues to slow down, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office this week.

468 people joined the live register in August, this is down from 791 in July.

The register now stands at 22,159.  This is up from 21,791 last month.  There was an 84 percent increase in the live register figures since the same time last year in both the City and County.

In Kilmallock, the live register increased from 2,607 to 2,675 in the last month.  The Kilmallock area showed an annual increase of 105.7 percent (1,300 to 2,675)

In Newcastle West, the live register increased from 3,546 to 3,607 in the last month.  The Newcastle West area showed an annual increase of 102.8 percent (1,778 to 3,607)

In Limerick City, there was an increase from 15,638 to 15,877 since July.  The city showed an annual increase of 77 percent. (from 8,970 to 15,877)

You can read the regional live register figures from the CSO website by clicking here.

While the ceremony at Waterpark House in Ennis was closed to the public, thousands were able to watch proceedings on a giant screen in the town centre.

After Mohammed Ali was conferred with the Freedom of Ennis, his wife Lonnie Ali gave a speech on his behalf. The honour was awarded to the former champion of boxing due to his family ties to the region.

After the ceremony, Ali was given a brief drive through the town before attending a function at Dromoland Castle.

Audio of the conferral seremony can be heard below.