Limerick will celebrate Bastille Day, marking the 330th anniversary of the Flight of the Wild Geese, with a weekend-long event involving a French market, concerts, visual displays and a regatta from 9th – 11th July 2021. 

Organised by Limerick City and County Council and the Consular Agency of France in the Mid-West, in association with Shannon Heritage and Alliance française Limerick, the Limerick celebration will feature free family entertainment, a free tour of the castle, displays in the courtyard, a parade, musical performances and historical talks on ‘The Flight of the Wild Geese’ and Limerick’s connections to France. 

The term ‘Wild Geese’ had been used to describe those Irish serving in European armies since the 16th century. The historical episode known as the ‘Flight of the Wild Geese’ refers to the 12,000 Irish Jacobite soldiers, commanded by Patrick Sarsfield, who left Ireland for France as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick in 1691 ending the Williamite War in Ireland.  The Wild Geese formed King James’s army in exile but by 1692 were incorporated into the French Army. 

Members of the public, and particularly those from the French community living in Limerick, are invited to attend the event which takes place at King John’s Castle on Sunday 11th July 2021.