Education
WATCH Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns for a 16th year from April 20 to 26
Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns for a 16th year from April 20 to 26 – Pictured in The People’s Park were Yvonne Lane, Lifelong Learning Facilitator, Social Programmes Limerick City Partnership, Michael MacCurtain, Limerick Chamber Skillnet and Chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group, Learning Ambassadors Claire Dollard and Dave Doherty. Photo: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns later this month for its 16th year, with over 130 free events that are open to all
The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns later this month with over 130 free events that are open to all — workshops, talks, walks, classes, performances, and more – across the city and county.
Taking place from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th April, this year’s festival theme is “Discover Lifelong Learning 2026”. It’s all about trying something new: from arts and crafts to technology, languages, wellbeing, and sports – there’s something for everybody!
The festival was officially launched last month at TUS Coonagh Campus, Co. Limerick by Councillor Maria Donoghue, deputising for the Mayor of Limerick.
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Noting the positive effect of the festival, Councillor O’Donoghue said, “Limerick City and County Council is proud to support all of Learning Limerick’s projects and delighted to be a core sponsor of this festival. We are committed to lifelong learning in all its forms and value the work of Learning Limerick and its membership of both the UNESCO Global Network and Irish Network of Learning Cities, where we get to share best practice with other Learning Cities.
“The list of events taking place over the course of this festival will be of interest to people in communities and neighbourhoods the length and breadth of Limerick city and county and of course further afield. I wish you all the very best for the Lifelong Learning Festival 2026; as we continue to guide curious minds on their perpetual journey of discovery.”
Michael MacCurtain, Limerick Chamber Skillnet and Chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group highlighted the relevance of the festival theme and Learning Limerick’s new Strategic Plan, saying, “This festival remains a powerful reminder that learning belongs to everyone at every stage of life, in every community, and across every sector of our city and county. Our festival this year is also based around the importance of connections, intergenerational events and AI in everyday life, which is an ever-increasing and relevant topic.
“Learning Limerick also has plans to launch our new Learning Limerick Strategic Plan during the festival. This plan builds on our strong foundation and sets out how we will widen participation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that learning is embedded in community development, enterprise, culture and civic life.”
Yvonne Lane, Festival Coordinator said, ‘We are delighted that our programme is bringing learning into everyday spaces like libraries, parks, and community centres and this helps make the festival as inclusive as possible. We believe that celebrating learning should be fun and accessible to all; which is in keeping with our Festival motto “Communities, Connecting, Learning”. Many of the festival events are also collaborations between agencies, colleges and community groups and are great examples of partnership working in action.”
David Doherty, a Social Care student at TUS and a Learning Limerick Ambassador, also spoke at the launch about his own learning journey, saying, “Returning to learning through the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival and TUS changed the direction of my life. I discovered supports I never knew existed and found the confidence to take the next steps into higher education. Today, as a Learning Ambassador, I’m proud to encourage others to start their own learning journey, because no matter where you begin, there’s a pathway forward.”
Learning Limerick Ambassador, Clare Dollard spoke about her ongoing love for Community Education and her pride at graduating from the University of Limerick CWELL Programme, “This festival shows how transformative learning can be. Whether you’re trying something new, returning to education, or simply exploring an interest. My story shows that when you take that first step, incredible things can happen.”
Just some of the 130 events taking place through the week include Northside FRC Learner Art Exhibition; Tour of TUS Moylish Campus Library; Storytime in Adare Library; International Day with College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Campus; Making Connections in Business with Limerick City Partnership; Kilmallock Community Walk with Limerick Sports Partnership; Childcare Employment and Careers Expo in Newcastle West; Fun Maths Activities with Mary Immaculate College; Learning Later in Life with University of Limerick and Limerick Chamber Skillnet; and Our Learning, Our Stories with Limerick Community Education Network
The full event listing is available on the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival website.
Photos: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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