Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival brings fun to Limerick this October

Pupils from Limerick School Project at the launch of Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable’s Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival 2023 with Curator Liam McCarthy at Belltable. Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable team announce an exciting programme of events for the 2023 Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival this October

Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable team announce an exciting programme of events for the 2023 Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival this October

The Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable team led by festival curator Liam McCarthy have put together an exciting programme of events for their annual Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival this October. As always, the aim is to ensure the festival continues to inspire and engage teachers, children and their families in the performing arts.

The festival launched this week in Belltable with the help of 4th-class pupils from the Limerick School Project. It is hoped that teachers, parents and guardians in the mid-west region will mark these two important weeks of the year in the diary – Sunday, 1 until Saturday, 14 October. Limerick’s youngest citizens need you so they can actively participate and be part of the fun this autumn.

Liam McCarthy, Festival Curator said “This year I’ve had the privilege to work closely with the Bualadh Bos Children’s Panel to shape our festival. Our priority was to include as many children as possible, especially those who may not have had the opportunity to experience Bualadh Bos before.

“We hope this year’s programme brings us another step closer to our long-term goal. This year will see the best of Irish and International work for children playing on our stages across the city. We’re thrilled that Bualadh Bos 2023 also includes some brand new (and homegrown) theatre for younger audiences.”

As Limerick’s only arts festival dedicated to children Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable are delighted to announce a packed programme of exciting events.

Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Company and Ceol Connected present the enchanting When The Moon Spun Round and the festival welcomes back Galway based company Branar with a gorgeous show, Rothar. The popular Bualadh Bos Family Day takes place on Sunday, October 8 at Belltable.

This jam-packed day features A Masterclass with Boss Rob, The Bualadh Bop with DJ Aoife Nic Canna, crafts with Duffy Mooney-Sheppard and featuring theatre artist Darren Yorke. The day will be topped off with a family film screening of The Goonies.

Set your inner anarchist free at Moxie Brawl’s Punk Alley, and due to popular demand Dutch company De Stilte returns to Dance Limerick with their new dance show Wait A Minute. The festival is delighted to welcome world-famous Australian company Slingsby for The Boy Who Talked to Dogs, a special showtelling the true Limerick story of Martin McKenna who grew up in Garryowen.

Liam McCarthy went on to say “We are particularly excited to welcome Slingsby to Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival this year. This is a real coup for the festival, as Slingsby is one of the world’s leading theatre companies for young people. 

“As chance would have it, their show The Boy who Talked to Dogs is based on a Limerick story – the story of Martin McKenna of Garryowen. Slingsby have toured this show throughout the world and we are thrilled to be able to bring this story home. While this show is suitable for children aged 12+, it is an exquisite piece that any theatre goer is sure to enjoy”.

The Bualadh Bos On Tour programme will have a keen emphasis on community engagement and child participation again this year. In particular, Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival is excited to partner with Mary Immaculate College for the pop-up storytelling event Jub’s Story.

This year also sees Crash Ensemble collaborate with Thomond Community College for Crash Explosions, an informal music-sharing event made by and for young people.

An important element of the festival is the Pay It Forward Fundraising Campaign. The aim is to include as many children as possible in the annual Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival and to reach families who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. Working with Doras, this campaign will allow more children and families to be included this October and throughout the autumn family programme.

You can contribute to the Pay It Forward Fundraising Campaign when you buy a ticket to any show under the donation tab. Tickets will then be distributed to families over the coming weeks. If you have any questions please contact the team by calling 061 953400.

This festival guarantees the perfect opportunity for children to be creative in a fun way, it allows them to use their imagination sparked by superb theatre, dance, music, creative workshops and lots more. The full festival programme, including details of the On Tour programme, are now on sale. Keep updated by subscribing to the newsletter or keeping an eye on social media platforms.

Bookings for all events are now open on the website and selling fast, don’t delay and book the family in today!

Find the full festival programme here.
Read more Bualadh Bos stories here.