PHOTOS 2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns bigger and better than ever!

2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns bigger and better than ever! The 2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival flagship “Creativity for Wellbeing” event took place at Abundant Life Centre, Henry Street. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival offers the chance to Learn, Grow and Explore 

It’s that time of year again. The 2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns for a 14^th iteration this April with its most comprehensive line-up of events to date. Taking place from Monday 15^th to Sunday 21^st April, this year’s festival theme is Learn, Grow, Explore in 2024. It features over 150 free events and activities to choose from throughout the week, both online and in person. The 2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival presents a wide variety of interesting and diverse topics that include: Art, IT Skills, Language Tasters, Entrepreneurship, Guided Tours, Open Days, Educational Pathways, Music, Cookery, Wellbeing and much more.

The 2024 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival was officially launched today in the College of Further Education and Training, Mulgrave Street Campus, Limerick by the Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell. Two learners from the campus, Grey Earls and Gerard O’Brien, spoke at the launch about their lifelong learning journey and shared their passion for learning.

Some of the events taking place this week include a Painting Showcase from learners at College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus and a Learner Art Exhibition from Northside Family Resource Centre at Watch House Cross Community Library.

Language Tasters from University of Limerick with languages ranging from Arabic to Spanish will also be held this week, as well as Lunchtime Health Information Sessions in local libraries from Healthy Ireland on topics such as lifestyle medicine, minding ourselves, heart health, wellbeing and staying connected.

In food, the Limerick Food Partnership at the Tait Community Kitchen will be providing advice based on the Principles of the Food Pyramid.

Taking a look at the history and culture in Limerick, a tour of Limerick Museum and the beautiful lacemaking will be held this week.

Other events include Explore Europe, or Explore Your Local Youth Club from Limerick Youth Service; Poetry, Music and Creative Writing are included with other activities from Community Education programmes offered by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; a Business Ideas Workshop from Ballyhoura Development; and an Open Choir Rehearsal for anyone who likes to sing in Mary Immaculate College will be held throughout the week.

Looking beyond secondary level education, a Taste of Higher Education, Digital Marketing and CV Skills from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS); and a Launch of Learning Hubs at College of FET, Kilmallock Town and Cappamore Campuses. 

There is also a flagship event being held at The Life Centre, Henry Street on Thursday 18th April – celebrating the lifelong learning festival with a variety of fun interactive learning activities based on creativity and wellness.

There were also speeches from members of the Learning Limerick Steering Group. Guests were also treated to some music and song entertainment from learners. There was also a fun interactive photoshoot, which involved participants interacting with using long exposures of moving light sources that result in images that have a magical aesthetic and are individually unique. This year’s Festival Brochure was also unveiled at the launch with a complete listing of events and activities.

Noting the positive effect of the festival, Mayor Mitchell said: “At the heart of our festival is the belief that learning should be fun and accessible for everyone. Following our motto – Communities, Connecting, Learning – we invite you to embark on a journey of exploration, engagement, and pure celebration.

“I anticipate strong participation from our local communities and the broader public, both from within Limerick and beyond, mirroring the high levels of engagement we have witnessed in previous years. I have no doubt it will be another great success, guiding curious minds on their perpetual journey of discovery.”

Eimear Brophy, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, and Chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group, highlighted the importance of Limerick’s role as a UNESCO Learning City and winner of the UNESCO Learning City Award. She said: “Limerick is committed to supporting, promoting, and improving lifelong learning across the city and county. Learning Limerick is also an active member of the Irish Network of UNESCO Learning Cities, an initiative aimed at increasing collaboration and establishing connections with our partner Learning Cities throughout the Island. These important relationships provide the opportunity for the sharing of learning and best practice initiatives between partner cities, which can then be incorporated into our own festivals’ development.”

George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, commented, “We are delighted to be hosting the launch of this year’s Lifelong Learning Festival week at our Mulgrave Street Campus. It’s a week where Limerick’s learning institutions open their doors to the public and say ‘come in and take the time for yourself to have fun and learn something new’. It’s about giving yourself a moment to explore some of the wonderful learning opportunities available across the region, as we are all lifelong learners. As an organisation we are delighted to once again be involved in such a pivotal week in the Limerick calendar.”

A complete listing of festival events is available here

Read more Lifelong Learning Festival stories 

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick