PHOTOS Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable launches ambitious Autumn 2025 season and new Strategic Plan

Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable launches ambitious Autumn 2025 season and new Strategic Plan

Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable officially launches its Autumn 2025 Season, promising a vibrant programme of music, theatre, comedy, ballet and film

Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable officially launched its Autumn 2025 Season at the Slí, Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College. The event was opened by Brian McEnery, Chairperson of the Lime Tree Theatre Board, who launched the organisation’s new Strategic Plan 2026–2031.

Guests also heard from Louise Donlon, Director of Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable, who outlined the vision for the next five years and introduced the exciting line-up for the season ahead. The evening featured a special musical performance by Jessica Bray, accompanied on piano by Michael Young, and concluded with the opening night of Jilly Morgan’s Birthday Party, a play by Liam McCarthy, directed by Joan Sheehy and starring Pat Ryan and Georgina Miller. This was the first of three performances on the Lime Tree stage before the show embarks on a nine-venue national tour.

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The Autumn 2025 Season promises a vibrant programme of music, theatre, comedy, ballet and film, presented across both Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable, alongside special off-site events.

Highlights include national & international artists with celebrated performers such as Lisa O’Neill, Ardal O’Hanlon, Chris Kent, Brian Bilston and Lisa Hannigan, in partnership with our long-standing collaborators Dolan’s.

The season also brings traditional music with The legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band returns with a brand-new concert featuring special guest Ger O’Donnell; Music Network presents Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta with Ryan Molloy; and the wonderful Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with band.

Classical music sees the performances move off-site with an intimate concert by the acclaimed Lir Quartet at All Saints Church, Stradbally, Castleconnell.

Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable’s own Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival returns this autumn, celebrating creativity for younger audiences and families.

Lasta Festival comes to the Belltable this autumn; curated by two young Limerick curators, Eoin Gilmartin and Matthew O’Rourke, this national initiative encourages 18–30 year olds to engage with the arts. Running in Belltable across the final two weeks of October, Lasta forms part of a wider nationwide network while bringing a distinctive Limerick voice to the programme.

Local companies & festivals showcasing Limerick’s creativity with Polish Arts Festival, Limerick Jazz Festival, Torch Players (Gut), and College Players (Lend Me a Soprano).

This season brings new work to the stage with the world premiere of CONNIE created and written by Joanne Ryan and Ann Blake, two Limerick theatre-makers,  staged off-site in the historic Limerick Theatre Royal this October.

Musical theatre with Cecilian Musical Society brings Queen’s iconic music to the stage with We Will Rock You. Film will see the Light Moves Festival of Screendance return, alongside the ever-popular IFI@Belltablescreenings every Monday at 5:00pm and 8:00pm.

The year concludes with Lime Tree Theatre’s much-loved Christmas pantomime, Red Riding Hood, featuring an all-Limerick cast and creative team. This cornerstone production highlights our commitment to nurturing a vibrant artistic community of performers and makers based in the city and county.

“This season reflects the spirit of collaboration that is at the heart of Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable. We are thrilled to partner with outstanding local artists and companies, while also welcoming some of Ireland’s most exciting national acts. As we launch our new Strategic Plan 2026–2031, we look forward to an inspiring season that celebrates the cultural richness of Limerick,” said Louise Donlon, Director, Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable.

Tickets for many events are already selling quickly, audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Please check the venue for each event at www.limetreebelltable.ie.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick