WATCH A Look Back on I Love Limerick 2023

I Love Limerick 2023 – a look back at some memorable moments from our past year

Wishing you all the greatest success and happiness for the coming year as we look back at some memorable moments from our past year with I Love Limerick in 2023.

Southside Womens Shed Limerick provides a safe space for women of all ages to support each other

In January, a new organisation, Southside Women’s Shed Limerick had been set up on the Southside of the city to provide a safe space where women of all ages can meet, learn new skills and enjoy various activities.

The idea took root when community activist Karol Canty, a full-time student studying youth and community realised there was no women’s shed for women on the Southside of the city for all age groups and with no membership fee so decided to set one up.

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Karol said, “Southside Womens Shed Limerick aims to empower, support and encourage women. Women need to support each other, push each other and be there for each other as we are the backbone of the community. We need to encourage each other to speak and not be silent anymore.”

True Limerick lady Bridie Breen celebrates her 102nd birthday

Later in January, Bridie Breen received a medal from President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to commemorate her 102nd birthday The people of Limerick also extended their warm wishes to the much-loved Limerick woman.

Born in 1921 in what is now the Chamber of Commerce building on O’Connell Street, Limerick, Bridie Breen celebrated her 102nd birthday.

Mother to Myles Breen, one of the city’s celebrated performers, her son speaks lovingly of his mother, Bridie, and her impact on his life and love for theatre. She had an active social life well into her 90s, but Myles says her love for theatre, music and dance in his early years is what helped his love for theatre and performing grow.

University of Limerick thoroughfare named Feeney Way to honour philanthropist’s legacy

In March, The main thoroughfare on the University of Limerick campus was renamed ‘Feeney Way’ to highlight the Irish American philanthropist’s legacy and his ‘giving while living’ philosophy.

A naming ceremony featuring invited guests took place at UL’s Glucksman Library on Thursday, March 2.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey, founding president Dr Ed Walsh, UL Foundation Chair Harry Fehily, and Dr Feeney’s son Patrick and biographer Conor O’Clery – attending on the 91-year-old’s behalf – were among those in attendance at the event honouring The Atlantic Philanthropies founder and his contribution to the University.

Mr Feeney sadly passed away in October and Professor Kerstin Mey paid tribute to the philanthropist following his passing, who is remembered as “the most giving of men”.

She said, “I am sure I speak on behalf of the entire University of Limerick community past and present in expressing our sorrow at the loss of one of the most giving of men in Chuck Feeney.

“I was fortunate to meet him and his wife Helga as recently as March in San Francisco and it was a privilege to spend some time with him.”

Team Limerick CleanUp 2023 celebrates an increase in popularity for its eighth year

April 2023 was another successful year for Team Limerick Cleanup, cementing itself as Ireland’s largest one day clean-up event, TLC returned bigger than ever for its 8^th year on Good Friday. Over 21,500 volunteers across the city and county took part in this year’s event.

For the eighth instalment of the initiative, volunteers were encouraged to bring a friend and new groups were welcomed.

Proving to be gaining popularity year on year there was an increase in the number of schools taking part, with 85 schools involved in TLC8 and a 47% increase in business participation this year. 

Rugby legends launch International Rugby Experience, Ireland’s newest interactive visitor experience

In May, some of the most famous faces in rugby union were in Limerick to launch the six-storey International Rugby Experience, Ireland’s newest interactive visitor experience situated in the heart of the city.

A variety of World Cup winners, British & Irish Lions legends and Irish Rugby stars including Bryan Habana, Francois Pienaar, Jonathan Sexton, Joy Neville, Danielle Waterman, Keith Wood, Paul O’Connell, Jeremy Guscott, Matt Dawson, Sean FitzPatrick, Martin Johnson, Peter Stringer, Ciara Griffin and Rory Best were among today’s inaugural visitors to the six-storey “Home of Legends”.

Hunt Museum raising funds to conserve ‘Irish Fashion heritage’ in the Sybil Connolly Collection

Also in May, the Hunt Museum is currently fundraising to preserve Irish fashion designer, Sybil Connolly’s archive collection and has called on the public for support in conserving 13 pieces in the museum’s collection.

The Hunt Museum is raising funds for the restoration and preservation of the Sybil Connolly Archive at the museum and since obtaining the collection, the museum has held fundraising events to support the collection.

With a goal of €25,000 set, Jill Cousins, CEO of the Hunt Museum explained the funding would go towards hiring a professional conservator, she told I Love Limerick the preservation of the collection is “very important” as one of the most important Irish fashion designers of the 1950’s.

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs event ‘inspires the next generation’ of female entrepreneurs

June kicked off with a special event for women who wish to learn more about the spark that ignited the entrepreneurial fire in three different women, who became successful and innovative entrepreneurs.

UL’s Nexus Innovation Centre and the Kemmy Business School hosted an ‘Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs’ event on May 30 at University of Limerick with support from Higher Education Authority. The initiative aims to encourage female executives, professionals, and academics to consider the idea of setting up their own innovative, scalable business, focused on export markets.

Paula Fitzsimons of Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs told I Love Limerick, “We developed inspiring women entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs. It’s the latest in the going-for-growth Suite of initiatives and we’re looking for women who want to start ambitious, Innovative, high-growth businesses. We’re going to support them and assist them to do just that, and to realise their growth aspirations.”

Limerick shows its colours United in Solidarity for Limerick Pride Parade 2023

Thousands of people were in Limerick on Saturday, July 8, to celebrate the power and resiliency of a community United in Solidarity for the Limerick Pride Parade 2023.

Lisa Daly, Festival Director Limerick Pride said, “This Pride marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between men in Ireland and we wanted to acknowledge this so our theme this year is ‘United in Solidarity’. When we marched up O’Connell Street this year, we marched in honour of our brothers and sisters who came before us and laid the path for our freedom. We wanted to spotlight and celebrate the power and resiliency of our community.”

The Pride parade of course was the highlight of the week and was an explosion of many different colours as part of one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ celebrations Limerick has ever seen, with bright, sunny weather no doubt drawing more people out. After the Parade the annual Pridefest celebration took place under the glorious sunshine in the gardens of the Hunt Museum.

Limerick hurlers receive a hero’s welcome after historic All-Ireland win

Celebrations continued in July as thousands of passionate fans gathered to celebrate the historic achievement of their beloved team following their 0-30 to 2-15 win over Kilkenny crowning them 2023 All-Ireland Hurling champions.

A sea of green and white welcomed the champions home as the players and management team made their way to Pery Square where musicians entertained the crowds awaiting the team’s arrival.

Cian Lynch, who raised the Liam McCarthy Cup with teammate Declan Hannon on Sunday evening told I Love Limerick, “Words can’t describe how we feel, every one of us. Coming back to your home city, your home county seeing the people, what it means to the people, our families, and for Limerick people far and wide, not just the people here but across the world.

Limerick remembers musical icon Sinead O’Connor

A gathering of devoted fans and admirers paid heartfelt respects to musical legend Sinead O’Connor who passed away this year at a new mural of the late singer in Limerick at the end of July.

As the musical icon is remembered across the nation, including an apt playing of “Nothing Compares 2 U” at Croke Park for the Senior Football All-Ireland Championship Final, local activist Molly Cantwell organised a ‘Remembering Sinéad O’Connor’ event in Limerick. 

2023 Tag Rugby World Cup kicks off in Limerick

The first International Tag Federation World Cup to take place in the northern hemisphere came to Limerick this August 2023 bringing with it more than 2,000 players, coaches, referees, officials, and spectators from 17 nations and more than 90 teams.

The Opening Ceremony, including a Nations Parade, took place on Tuesday, August 1 on Maguire’s Pitch in the University of Limerick. It was followed by the first matches of the tournament, two mouth-watering clashes between Ireland and Australia in Men’s 30s, and South Africa and Great Britain in Mixed Open.

The tournament came from years of hard work and planning, with David Ward, Sports Business Development Manager for University of Limerick Events, telling I Love Limerick, “It’s taken six years of work to get here, it’s all born out of having the Pig and Porter here on campus and a partnership with old Crescent and the success they’ve had there over the years.

Children’s Grief Centre officially opens as a shining light for children and young people

The Children’s Grief Centre was officially opened on Tuesday, September 12, a proud and momentous occasion for founder Sr Helen Culhane.

The opening event was attended by Minister Norma Foley T.D. Minister for Education, in the presence of Anne Rabbitte T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The Children’s Grief Centre (CGC) was founded in 2009 by Sr Helen, backed by a multidisciplinary support group and funded by the Sisters of Mercy.  From the beginning, it aimed to respond to the needs of children and young people, aged 4 to 18, who were grieving a loss through death, separation, or divorce.  Crucially, it does so free of charge, catering for children from every socio-economic background throughout Ireland.

One Book One Community will promote literacy and spark conversation in Our Lady of Lourdes Community

Aiming to foster a love of reading, bolster literacy, and spark conversation, the ‘One Book One Community’ initiative in the Our Lady of Lourdes community saw young readers and families bring one of 700 books into their homes from Thursday, October 11, 2023.

The event organised by Our Lady of Lourdes Local Education Committee (LEC) saw 500 copies of the book ‘Illegal’ by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin shared throughout the community, tackling the issue of migration and integration while sparking conversation in the community.

PAUL Partnership Empowering Communities to ‘make magic happen’

In November we visited the ‘Empowering Communities’ Kings Island project which works with local community and existing groups, agencies, and schools to develop, support, and implement locally-led community projects.

Empowering Communities is a government-led program which is based in Limerick City and is housed within the suite of services offered by PAUL Partnership. Limerick is only one of 14 areas to have the Empowering Communities project across the country.

Empowering Communities, Kings Island has a strengths-based approach where the project’s initiatives are community led. Empowering Communities liaises with existing groups, agencies, schools and stakeholders to develop, support, and implement locally-led community projects in areas such as art, culture, local history, sports, social activities, environment, play and recreation, biodiversity and so on.

Limerick Civic Trust celebrates 40 years of safeguarding Limerick’s amazing history

A busy end to the year kicked off as the Limerick City and County Council CEO was guest speaker at the Trust’s annual Christmas Business Lunch in No.1 Pery Square, Limerick on Friday, December 1 where local businesses and supporters gathered to raise funds to help with the Limerick Civic Trust mission.

Limerick City and County Council CEO, Pat Daly, expressed his admiration for Limerick Civic Trust and the work they do in preserving the city’s rich history at the 2023 Christmas Business Lunch.

Limerick Civic Trust is a self-funding charity, which initiates and undertakes a programme of projects for the general improvements of Limerick’s environment in conjunction with local authorities, state agencies and all the sectors of Limerick’s commercial, professional, industrial and community life, all of whom share a common vision of the betterment of Limerick.

Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau celebrates an incredible 2023

Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau left its mark on the local and global stage in what was a 2023 full of milestones and accolades, promoting the growth, sustainability, and community engagement in the Shannon region for business tourism.

Our Lady Queen of Peace School win ‘Choirs for Christmas’ competition with heart-warming Dolores O’Riordan tribute

Our Lady Queen of Peace School Choir in Janesboro has won the ‘Choirs for Christmas’ Lyric FM choral music competition in the primary school section. Our Lady Queen of Peace School Choir, a young enthusiastic musical group from the Janesboro primary school paid tribute to Dolores O’Riordan performing ‘Angela’s Song’ in a choir competition.

James Malone, a music teacher at Our Lady Queen of Peace told I Love Limerick, “There was a really high standard in the competition, so we were listening to some of the tracks and there was just amazing talent from one end of the country to the other. 

“So we weren’t expecting to get very far in it, the children certainly weren’t expecting to get very far, we were just thrilled to record a song.”

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