Art
11th Annual Roches Street Art Festival
The Roches Street Art Festival plans to showcase again this year all that is wonderful about art in Limerick. The festival, which is now in its 11th year will run from Monday September 10 to Saturday 22nd with proceeds going to Headway and Milford Hospice. Headway is an organisation which looks after clients who have suffered brain injuries or stroke and is especially close to the hearts of Roches St businesses as the late Betty McDonagh who for over 70 years had a popular grocers shop on the street sadly died of a stroke a few years ago. Chairperson of Roches St Association, Fionagh Ryan of Ryans Jewellers has been working tirelessly with her committee to ensure this years festival will surpass all previous exhibitions in terms of scope and quality. Fionagh adds “The festival will have an international twist this year, as a selection of Limerick School of Art and Design’s (LSAD) award winning students who scooped the top prizes at the recent Triumph Inspiration Awards 2012 and whom will represent Ireland at the Global Final in Shanghai in November are exhibiting in some of the stores for the duration of the festival.” The retailers facilitate the exhibition by providing window space for the art and there is a great variety of affordable art on display from well known local artists. This year Paul Weeraskera has donated a stunning picture of Munster Rugby Legend, Paul O’Connell receiving the Freedom of Limerick City from Mayor at that time, Councillor Jim Long. This painting will appear in Helene Modes window display and will be sold to the highest bidder when the festival ends. Richard Lynch will have the honour of officially opening the Roches St’s Art Festival at Condells, 9 Roches st at 6pm with a taste of the art that will be on display along with a wine reception.
Another buzz about this Years Festival is that it is now happening within The Fashion Quarter. The Fashion Quarter is a marketing initiative created by retailers on Roches and Catherine Streets in an effort to promote the many independent stores and boutiques that are located there. There are ambitious plans to host other events like outdoor fashion shows, barbecues and live music to further entice shoppers back into Limerick’s City Centre and particularly into this area.
For further info on the Roches St Art Festival, Contact Fionagh Ryan at Ryans Jewellers 061 417828. For further info on the Fashion Quarter please visit Catherine St & Roches St Fashion Quarter on Facebook.
To read more about Headway Limerick go HERE.