WATCH A Look Back on I Love Limerick 2024

I Love Limerick 2024 – 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 2024.

Limerick mother’s book ‘Hollie’s Journey’ aims to help families and children deal with grief and loss

Ballingarry mother Aine Healy Collins has written a children’s book to help children and families cope with loss.

Aine wrote “Hollie’s Journey” following the loss of her new-born baby girl, 12 hours after she was born on Christmas day 2022. The book which has a special significance for herself and her and aims to keep her daughter’s name alive.

Hollie was born on Christmas Day in 2022, but she passed away in hospital 15 hours later. Aine said the book became her diary and helped her on the way.

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BT Young Scientist winner Seán O’Sullivan gets a hero’s homecoming at Coláiste Chiaráin

Seán O’Sullivan, a 5th year student from Coláiste Chiaráin was announced as this year’s winner of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and received a homecoming fit for a hero on his return to his school Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom on Monday, January 15, 2024.

Seán, aged 17, won the top prize with his project, VerifyMe: A new approach to authorship attribution in the post-ChatGPT era. The BTYSTE perpetual trophy was presented to Seán at the RDS in Dublin by Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD and Managing Director of BT Ireland, Shay Walsh.

Paschal O’Grady celebrates the enduring legacy of Limerick comedy legends Tom and Paschal

The enduring friendship between Limerick’s Paschal O’Grady and Tom O’Donnell blossomed into a comedic partnership known as ‘Tom and Paschal’ that spanned almost five decades and was a journey of laughter and success as they became legends in Limerick, Ireland, and beyond.

Paschal met his future comedy partner when he joined the Boy Scouts. Tom was his Scout Master, and the two initially joined forces in the world of theatre when Tom began setting up plays in St John’s Pavillion; setting the stage for the legendary comedy duo. Slowly but surely, their local popularity soared to national and even international heights, solidifying their status as a dynamic comedy pair.

Paschal told Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick the story of how the two came to work together, saying, “In the scouts, we used to do what they call an indoor rally and then you have the outdoor rally, which was all running and racing, but they had entertainment in the indoor rally. And Tom picked me out, and I was chosen to act in this play called ‘The Stolen Prince’ and I came out very well in that.

ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services marks 50 years working for a world without violence

ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services marked its 50th year of operation, the service continues to offer a beacon of hope and support for women survivors of domestic abuse and violence, and their children, across Limerick City and County.

The organisation’s 50^th year in operation was celebrated with an event on International Women’s Day, Friday, March 8, 2024 at their current base of operations with Gerald Mitchell, Mayor of Limerick City & County in attendance.

Team Limerick Clean-Up celebrates nine years of keeping Limerick Clean!

Cementing itself as Ireland’s largest one day clean-up event, Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) returned bigger than ever for its 9th year this Good Friday with 22,000 volunteers across the city and county taking part.  

Continuing the year-on-year rise in popularity, this year showed a 53% increase in sports clubs signed up to take part.  

Alongside sporting groups, hundreds of other groups took part, from scout groups to men’s sheds, businesses to schools and community and tidy towns groups.

Hayleigh Kiely returns as ISKA World Champion to Hub Martial Arts

Hayleigh Kiely received a hero’s welcome from her peers at Hub Martial Arts as she was welcomed back to the gym as the newly crowned ISKA World Champion on Tuesday, April 23.

Although Hayleigh had been training behind closed doors for three months building up to her bout with Marisha Christie at the Cannock Chase Centre, UK on Saturday, April 13, it is an achievement she had aimed for since she began training at seven years of age.

Hayleigh can proudly carry the ISKA World Championship belt and has secured her long-term goal of becoming the World’s Number 1 kickboxer.

Mid-West Hospital Campaign launches ‘Drive to Save Lives’ to highlight ongoing health crisis

The Mid-West Hospital Campaign (MWHC) has announced a ‘Drive to Save Lives’ to highlight the ongoing health crisis in the region.

A convoy of vehicles will set off in April from Ennis, Nenagh, and Limerick city to mark the 15th anniversary of the closure of the region’s three A&Es.

People were encouraged to take part with their car, van, tractor, motorcycle, or bike. If people in Limerick didn’t have a mode of transport they are encouraged to line the route as the convoy travels through the city on its way past University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and onto its conclusion at the office of the HSE CEO in the Raheen Industrial Estate.

Thousands took on the 2024 Regeneron Great Limerick Run in a sun-soaked Limerick City

The 15th edition of the Regeneron Great Limerick Run lit up the streets of Limerick, with more than 14,000 participants spanning all event categories. From seasoned marathoners to casual walkers in the 6-mile event, the thrill of accomplishment united everyone as they crossed the finish line on O’Connell Street.

Limerick’s streets were vibrant with the cheers of over 45,000 spectators, who provided enthusiastic support and encouragement as they watched friends and family members stride by.

As thousands graced the streets of Limerick, the sun came with them as participants took on a Marathon, Half Marathon, and 6-mile races.

Historical Munster Championship win as Limerick defeated Clare in Semple Stadium

It was a June to remember as Limerick fans showed up in their thousands to see their Senior Hurlers claim a historical sixth Munster Championship title in a row as the Treaty Men beat The Banner to bring the Mick Mackey Cup back home.

Prior to their incredible streak starting in 2019, Limerick won just one title from the previous 22 championships, showing the impact this era of players has had on what is a golden generation for the county.

The Limerick hurlers missed out on All-Ireland glory this year, but fans will still remain positive with excitement building over the coming months as the 2025 campaign will get underway.

Legendary racehorse Istabraq dies aged 32

In July, three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq passed away at the age of 32, shortly after celebrating the milestone birthday.

Mr McManus, owner, confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “Sadly, Istabraq passed away at 1.15am this morning at the ripe old age of 32.

“He was a very special horse who gave us many great days of fun and enjoyment.”

Istabraq, under Charlie Swan who rode him in all of his 29 races over jumps, won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham from 1998 to 2000. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Istabraq was odds-on favourite for the 2001 renewal in Cheltenham before foot and mouth wiped out the meeting and put paid to his chances of a four-timer.

In all Istabraq won 23 of his 29 races over obstacles, most famously becoming the fifth horse to win three Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2000.

Limerick bursts with colour and pride for the Limerick LGBTQ+ Pride Parade 2024

The rain couldn’t keep Limerick Pride LGBTQ Festival 2024 down this July as thousands braved the weather for this year’s Limerick Pride Parade in July.

Featuring a multitude of events from workshops, support meetings and discussions to evenings of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone, this year’s festival will be remembered by all who attended. 

This year’s Limerick Pride theme, “I Am What I Am,” showcased the strength, resilience, and pride of the LGBTQ community while celebrating the festival’s roots as a protest.

Sarah Lavin leads Team Ireland at Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony

Limerick was bursting with pride as sprint hurdler Sarah Lavin had the honour of carrying the Irish flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics in July.

Lavin was joined by Offaly golf superstar Shane Lowry in leading Team Ireland’s 133 athletes in what was an emotional, historic career highlight for both Lavin and Lowry.

An emotional Lavin described the experience as the greatest honour of her career, she said, “It’s surreal to be honest with you, the greatest honour I’ve ever been given, and I would even go so far as to say probably any Olympic athlete ever could be given to carry the country’s flag.

“It’s just something you can’t prepare for. I’m so grateful to those who’ve trusted me and put me in this position.”

Róisín Ní Riain wins two medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic

What an incredible year for Limerick athletes, with Olympic and Paralympic success, Limerick Hurlers grabbing silverware, and The incredible events brought to Limerick through Shannon Conference and Sports Bureau such as the World Wallball Finals, and European Ultimate Frisbee Championships.

Limerick swimmer, Róisín Ní Riain has added a second medal to her Paris 2024 Paralympic collection following a third-place finish in the women’s SM13 200m Individual Medley on day six of the competition.

The 19-year-old Limerick native is having an incredible Paralympic Games, finishing the race with a time of 2:27.47, picking up her second medal and Team Ireland‘s third overall for these Games. The Limerick athlete then went on to be named RTÉ Sport Young Athlete of the Year for 2024, capping an incredible year of achievements.

Sinéad O’Brien and Simon Fitzgerald say ‘I do’ in sun-soaked Portuguese wedding

Sinéad O’Brien and husband, Simon Fitzgerald, celebrated their wedding with a beautiful ceremony in Vilamoura, Portugal, surrounded by friends and family in a day which was “everything we could have dreamed of and more”.

Just weeks after legally exchanging vows with an intimate ceremony in Limerick, the couple flew to Portugal to host a most lavish celebration with their family and friends.

Sinéad shared the joy with her more than 125,000 Instagram followers who helped share the joy with the Limerick businesswoman who said, “My heart could burst with the love thank you everyone for your well wishes I am so so so happy, the day was everything we could of dreamed of and more.”

LEDP exhibition honours the legacy of KRUPS on the 25th anniversary of its closure

Former employees of Krups will take a trip down memory lane at the official opening of a unique exhibition honouring the legacy of Krups. Showcasing a collection of stories, artefacts, and memorabilia representing the rich history of the factory and Limerick’s economic development, the exhibition was officially opened by His Excellency, the German Ambassador-Designate to Ireland Mr David Gill.

The unique exhibition marked 25 years since the iconic Krups factory closed and the LEDP was formed in response to the challenges faced in the local community following closure.

The Krups Exhibition was a collaborative effort between the LEDP, Limerick Museum, Limerick City & County Council, and the University of Limerick’s Centre for Irish-German Studies and aims to remember and celebrate the contribution of Krups in Limerick which operated from 1964 until its closure in 1998, employing more than 1,200 people at its peak.

Limerick got the Hollywood treatment in 2024 with feature films taking on some of the city’s streets and sites

Wide Eye Films were searching for extras to be in the 1980’s feature film ‘One Night Only’, which was being shot in Limerick city Centre at the Royal Theatre on Cecil Street!

‘One Night Only’ stars Colin Morgan (Dead and Buried, The Fall, The Boy That Never Was) as the manager of a small-town cinema who struggles to keep the peace on a chaotic Friday night at the pictures. Set in 1980’s Ireland, this feel-good movie is a loving tribute to the cinema experience, and is directed by Limerick writer/director David Gleeson.

Streets in Limerick City were closed and transformed for the filming of ‘4 Kids Walk Into a Bank’ movie starring Liam Neeson in December.

Limerick City has had streets in its city centre transformed to look like 1990s America as filming is set to begin for 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, an adaptation of the Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss which will star Liam Neeson.

Work got underway on Monday, December 2 as period vehicles, American-style street features, and the Spar on Catherine Street/Glentworth Street had its signage converted to that of “Mini Mart”.

Children’s Grief Centre celebrate 15 years of providing essential support

Founded in 2009 by Sister Helen Culhane, the Children’s Grief Centre has supported children for 15 years between the ages of 4 and 18 who have experienced loss due to death, separation, or divorce.

The Centre which has been in its new building at the John Henry Newman Campus at Mary Immaculate College since September 2023 has become a pillar in Limerick’s community by creating a safe space for children to process their emotions.

Support is offered through one-on-one sessions tailored to each child’s unique healing journey with staff saying there is no set amount or limit to the number of sessions a child can attend, this ensures the care provided adapts to the child’s evolving needs.

Adare Bypass works to commence in January 2025, a positive look to Limerick’s future

As I Love Limerick reflects on an incredible 2024, we look forward to what the future holds. Closing out th year, the joint venture of John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd, known as Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture, has been awarded the Adare Bypass Design and Construction Contract, with works scheduled to commence in January 2025.

Following the announcement in 2023 of the approval to advance construction of the bypass with an aim to deliver the project ahead of the Ryder Cup 2027 in Adare Manor, the tender has been awarded this week with works due to start.