Limerick Festivals
Jump to: February ¦September ¦ ¦ November ¦ December
2020
FEBRUARY
The Limerick Spring Festival of Politics and Ideas
THURSDAY 27th – SATURDAY 29th FEBRUARY
The Limerick Spring Festival of Politics and Ideas celebrates the role of the citizen in the political life of Limerick. This years theme is Home is where the heart is. For many of us, watching our global home suffer with the effects of Climate Change is a call to action. More locally, the growing number of people struggling to find a secure and affordable place to call home is also a crisis issue.
The programme has everything from film premières, big debates and an evening of protest music to spoken word, art and comedy events. There is truly something for everyone. Make sure you come and have your say!
Limerick Literary Festival in honour of Kate O’Brien
FRIDAY 21ST – SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
Limerick Literary Festival, formerly known as Kate O’Brien Weekend, is this year celebrating its 36th edition. The event continues to honour the life and works of the Limerick author while attracting prominent participants from all over the world. The Limerick Literary Festival seeks to promote Limerick nationally as a place of literary excellence and to provide a platform where readers can meet their favourite authors and other readers.
West Limerick Drama Festival 2020
THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
West Limerick Drama Festival is an annual 3 Act drama festival taking place over two weekends in Knockaderry, Newcastlewest.
Programme of Events
Thursday 6th February
Entertaining Angels, Knockaderry Cloncagh Drama Group
Friday 7th February
Cobwebs Glory, The Carnavour Players
Saturday 8th February
For Better or Worse, New Hope Theatre
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to what is going to be an amazing festival in Knockaderry!
Fairtrade Fortnight 2020
MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 8TH MARCH
A programme of talks and community events aimed at promoting awareness of Fairtrade and Fairtrade certified products will take place throughout Limerick from Monday 24th February – Sunday 8th March
This year’s focus will be on cocoa, our mission continues to ensure that all farmers are paid fairly for their work and are able to earn a living income.
MARCH
Limerick Choral Festival
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 1ST MARCH
We look forward to welcoming choirs from near and far to Limerick over the weekend 28th February to 1st March 2020.
Limerick Choral Festival aims to promote and develop choral music. As well as choral competitions, the annual Limerick Choral Festival will be committed to welcoming non-competing choirs to participate.
Programme of events will be announced soon.
Gamer Fest 2020
SATURDAY 7TH & SUNDAY 8TH MARCH
GamerFest is a leading organiser of gaming festivals in Ireland.Central to the success of GamerFest is extensive live stage entertainment, esports tournaments, virtual reality attractions, retro gaming, and merchandise markets.
Play all the latest games and virtual reality attractions and enter the tournaments including FIFA 20 and Fortnite! Suitable for all ages and levels.
Engineering Week 2020
SATURDAY 29th FEBRUARY – FRIDAY 6th MARCH
Engineers Week is a week-long festival of nationwide events celebrating Engineering in Ireland. From spaceships to ice-skates, bubbles in chocolate bars, to life-saving cancer treatment… Engineering touches every part of our lives.
The Siege of Limerick
SATURDAY 7th & SUNDAY 8th MARCH
The Siege of Limerick is Ireland’s largest outdoor tournaments, held annually in the University of Limerick. In recent years The Siege has developed a strong Open and Women’s division, attracting all of Ireland’s top teams as well as a host of top talent from across Europe.
Mens: 24 – 32 teams (may be two divisions)
Womens: 8 – 16 teams
Up to 7 games over 2 days
Pay It Forward Limerick
TBA
The Festival of Kindness is an initiative
from Pay it Forward Limerick (PIF Limerick) – a team of local volunteers
and businesses who are embracing the concept to carry out intentional acts of kindness.
St.Patrick’s Sunday Racing
MARCH 15 2020
The first national hunt racing of 2020 takes place on St. Patrick’s Weekend on March 15.
National hunt racing at Greenmount Park with seven races on the day. The feature races will include the Grade 3 Shannon Spray EBF Mares Novice Hurdle and Grade 2 Dawn Run EBF mares Novice Chase.
The Panoramic restaurant will be open on both days at a price of €63 per person to include admission, reserved table for the day, 3 course lunch, racecard with table service for bar and betting. Children’s menu available.
International Band Championship
MARCH 15 2020
The International Band Championship is a highlight of Limerick’s St. Patrick’s Festival. The streets of Limerick will be filled with lively musical tones and the spectacular sight of over 1,300 talented marching band musicians from across Ireland, Europe and America on Sunday 15th March 2020 for the 50th Limerick International Band Championship.
Limerick St.Patricks Festival
MARCH 17 2020
Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival is the largest parade outside Dublin.
The parade which will take place on March 17 will see
magnificent displays parade through the streets of Limerick.
The parade will feature thousands of participants from various community groups, companies, bands and sports clubs from across Limerick and further afield.
St. Mary Cathedral Festival 2020
TBA
St. Mary’s Cathedral Festival 2019 follows on from the success of St. Mary’s Cathedral 850, held in 2018 to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the foundation of this iconic building in Limerick.
As well as fine classical music events planned again for this year in St. Mary’s Cathedral, we are delighted to commemorate the 175th anniversary of St. Michael’s Church, Pery Square with events there too.
These events are made possible with the generous support of Limerick City and County Council.
Fresh Film Festival
MONDAY 23rd – SATURDAY 28th MARCH
Fresh Film Festival, Ireland’s leading festival celebrating young filmmakers,
takes place in Limerick. Festival highlights include
the finals of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards,
workshops in scriptwriting, animation and music videos,
feature screenings and international shorts.
Musicale
TBA
Musicale is a non-competitive music festival that takes place at various venues across Limerick. All ages and genres are represented in a celebration of creativity.
APRIL
Limerick Writers Festival
WEDNESDAY 1st – THURSDAY 30th APRIL
April is Poetry Month – For the month of April Limerick will showcase the best from the world of poetry, including local, national and international readers!
Throughout the month of April a cornucopia of events will appeal to those with a passion for poetry and also those with only a passing interest.
The festival, which was inaugurated by the Limerick Writers’ Centre and Quay Books in 2013, has now grown into a nationally recognised, all-poetry festival for lovers of poetry, and a world-class, life-enriching series of events for participants and audiences alike.
April is Poetry Month in Limerick and is supported by Limerick City and County Council.
Limerick Fringe Festival
TBA
Limerick Fringe is a new vibrant, multi-genre performance-based event hosted in Limerick.
Limerick Fringe is a not for profit organisation that looks to support artists and producers to promote new, vibrant and daring arts to a wider audience utilizing non-traditional spaces.
HearSay International Audio Arts Festival
TBA
The HearSay International Audio Arts Festival hosts international award-winning contributors from all disciplines of creative audio; radio features, film sound, sound art, theatre sound, music, audio fiction.
HearSay fosters collaboration and imagination, compelling insights, creative challenges, unique experiences with no name badges. HearSay means passion and free-flowing inspiration rooted in a real sense of community.
The finest audio makers from the worlds of Podcasts, Radio Features, Sound Art, Audio Fiction, Theatre and Film Sound will take over the Irish mountain village of Kilfinane from 5 pm on Thursday, April 4 to 2 pm on Sunday, April 7 2019.
80 events taking place over four days in 17 venues from locals kitchens to converted churches, apple farms and community spaces.
Easter in Limerick
TBA
Celebrate this Easter with lots of great family events and fun things to do for kids in Limerick.
With Easter egg hunts, egg-cellent hotel deals and very special appearances by the Easter Bunny, Limerick is definitely the place to celebrate Easter this year!
Programme of events to be announced.
Siege of Limerick – Earrach
SUNDAY 12th APRIL 2020
Limerick Rugby Fest
SATURDAY 25th APRIL
The Limerick Rugby Fest is an ideal opportunity for young teams around the country to come together and, not only compete but, build relationships with other clubs.
Entry fee is from €100 – €150 per team and will include 20 lunch vouchers per team.
All games will take place in the Old Crescent RFC grounds and each team age grade will have their own pitch for minimised disruption between games.
MAY
Swimablelimerick Social Swim
TBA
Organised regular city swims throughout the summer for Limerick people to dip their toe (and a whole lot more!) into our beautiful River Shannon.
Our aim is to provide a safe and fun environment for anyone to enjoy the freedom of open water swimming in the heart of Limerick City. We swim from Clancy Strand and Merchants Quay with dates and times depending on the tides. Keep an eye on our website, facebook and twitter for swim dates and times.
Fleadh by the Feale
Thursday 30th April – Monday 4th May
Celebrating its 26th consecutive festival, Fleadh by the Feale will take place on the May Bank Holiday weekend with some of the best traditional musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers from all across Ireland & further afield.
In 1993 Abbeyfeale were offered the opportunity to host Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh. This proved to be such an outstanding success, the committee were requested to also host the 1994 Fleadh Cheoil. With the experience gained from these two major events, the committee decided to organise their own Traditional Music Festival in 1995 and so Fleadh by the Feale was born.
Programme of events to be announced.
FRIDAY 1st – MONDAY 4th MAY
Riverfest kicks off over the May Bank Holiday weekend and will showcase & celebrate all that’s great about Limerick City!
The festival caters to foodies, fun-seekers and fun-runners and is the first major festival of the year in Ireland.
Highlights of Riverfest include the Bon Secours Hospital Great Limerick Run; Ireland’s largest barbecue cook-off, the Riverfest BBQ Competition; the Continental Fair of European artisan producers and Fashion Friday.
Regeneron Great Limerick Run
SUNDAY 3rd MAY
The Regeneron Great Limerick Run, with over 12,000 runners, will take place in Limerick City on Sunday 3rd May 2020.
The streets of Limerick City will welcome over 14,000 runners and 40,000 spectators along the course. Choose from a marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon or a 6 mile event.
Come for the run and stay for the fun!
For more information, to register or to download the 2020 route maps click here.
Limerick Street Feast
TBA
Connect and reconnect with their neighbours and celebrate the vibrancy of Limerick City in a free family-friendly day.
Bealtaine Festival 2020
FRIDAY 1ST – SUNDAY 31ST MAY
As part of a national initiative, Bealtaine Festival is a series of themed events that will celebrate age and older artists.
Bealtaine festival is run by Age & Opportunity, the national organisation that promotes active and engaged living as we get older.
All Saints and Singers
TBA
The All Saints and Singers festival, taking place on the May Bank Holiday Weekend in Castleconnell, is a celebration of local heritage with an action-packed family day of fun in the village.
Knocklong History Week- The Rescue
TBA
The Rescue week-long centenary commemorations will take place from Sunday, May 12 to Sunday, May 19 2019.
The activities will include music, drama, commemoration services, history seminar and The Rescue train, recreating the journey of Seán Hogan to his rescue at the station in Knocklong.
Africa Day Limerick
MONDAY 25TH MAY
Limerick’s strong and vibrant African community will be celebrating their rich and varied culture and heritage as part of Africa Day 2020.
Africa Day is an initiative of the African Union, which celebrates African diversity and success and the cultural and economic potential of the continent.
The programme of events include an exhibition of African drumming, a Tastes & Sounds of Africa, an Intercultural Soccer Tournament and a Family Fun Day.
Limerick International Food Truck Festival
TBA
The Limerick International Food Truck Festival is the first dedicated festival of its kind to take place in Ireland, based in the heart of Limerick city’s People’s Park.
The event will see an explosion of international cuisine during the event as more than 60 food trucks from 14 countries take part in the European Food Truck Association’s annual festival along with local and national traders.
Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh 2020
FRIDAY 29TH MAY – MONDAY 1ST JUNE
The town of Athea will be a hive of activity on the 2020 June bank holiday weekend, hosting Fleadh Cheoil Luimnigh from Friday 29th May to Monday 1st June
Fleadh Cheoil, translated as ‘Feast of Music’ is the definitive set of competitions for Irish music.
Musicians compete in a series of qualifying rounds (county, provincial, regional, in the case of overseas competitors), culminating in a week-long festival – Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
JUNE
PolskaÉire Festival Limerick
TBA
PolskaEire Festival is a celebration of Irish-Polish integration and cultural exchange which takes place nationwide and also in Poland every year since 2015. The aim of the festival is to further strengthen mutual relations between Polish and Irish communities by means of various cultural, sports, business, academic and community events.
Currently in its 5th edition, the festival will take place on Saturday 1st – Sunday 9th June 10, with accompanying events starting in early May.
Join us for this year’s PolskaEire. The craic will be dobry!
Limerick Ceramics Artists Exhibition
TBA
Limerick Ceramic Artists is a network of locally based ceramic artists who have been exhibiting together over the last six years. Most of the members are graduates of LSAD and the group has built a reputation for good quality art ceramics.
This exhibition in the Belltable will show an interesting and varied range of ceramic practice.
September
Limerick Jazz Festival
SEPTEMBER 21-27 2020
Limerick Jazz Festival is an annual event promoting live jazz performance
in various venues throughout the city of Limerick featuring artists
from the US, the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
The festival has been redesigned in a very innovative way to respond to the restrictions imposed by the need to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
This year’s highlights include:
· The final of Young Irish Jazz Musician 2020 in University Concert Hall, Limerick on the evening of Saturday 26 September. This is the first of what is planned to be a regular event to give a platform to the best of emerging Irish jazz talent. The competition is open to young jazz musicians aged 13 to 18 and details of how to apply can be found HERE
The Young Irish Jazz Musician 2020 will get to make a professional studio recording, participate in UCH’s Rising Stars Concert, and receive a bursary to take part in an international summer school.
· From Monday to Friday we will support the Irish jazz community by hosting online premieres of performances by leading musicians from across the island and abroad. Performers will include:
o Lynley Hamilton (Belfast)
o Chris Guilfoyle’s Oxygen Thief (Dublin)
o Paul Dunlea (Cork)
o Matthew Berrill (Galway)
o Eddie Lee (Sligo)
o David O’Rourke (USA)
o John Donegan (UK)
· On Sunday 27 Dolan’s Warehouse will host a great afternoon of live music featuring the Joe O’Callaghan Trio, Michael Buckley’s House of Horns, Christine Tobin and Phil Robson and a first Limerick Jazz Festival appearance for Mary Coughlan.
October
Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival
OCTOBER 2020
Despite the uncertainty and huge challenges for the arts sector this year, Limerick’s Lime Tree Theatre | Belltable team are proud to present a superb programme of events for their annual Bualadh Bos Childrens Festival 2020 this October.
Every child deserves access to the performing arts. As always, the aim of the festival is to ensure we continue to inspire children and their families by the safest and most creative means possible. To achieve this in 2020, the programme has both live and online shows, creative workshops and even a family mystery trail around the Georgian quarter of the city. Plenty for all our small citizens to interact with.
The schools programme is completely online, this will ensure schools in Limerick and the mid-west region can access the Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival 2020 programme without travel costs as a barrier.
The annual Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival captures the imagination of young audiences with magical theatre, raucous book readings, chatty talks, interactive workshops plus a host of other activities for the rest of the family too.
Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival will feature a host of amazing events, planned for all age groups!
A full programme of festival events with dates/times/age groups etc are available HERE
November
Polish Arts Festival 2020
NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 13 2020
A Polish Arts Festival Open Call is currently taking place for an exhibition themed: “Together as One – My Covid-19 Experience”. Deadline for submissions is October 22, 2020 at 5pm.
Polish Arts Festival is an organisation funded by Arts Council, Limerick City and County Council, Creative Ireland, Polish Embassy in Dublin and private sponsors.
Submissions are free, and guidelines and submission forms are now available from the website HERE
The mission of the Polish Art Festival is to encourage the individual to experience and learn something new, to open their eyes to unknown historical and cultural facts, and to share in the joy of the Polish/Slavic way of life.
In a traditional, warm and welcoming setting, children, teenagers, adults, artists and spectators can enjoy the best of music, theatre and fine arts.
Programme of events to be announced.
For more info on the Polish Arts Festival go HERE
Limerick Sings International Choral Festival
JUNE 6 – 9 2019
Limerick Sings invites you and your choir to its International Choral Festival. The festival extends a warm welcome to choirs of all traditions and nationalities to come together for a weekend of festive non-competitive singing in spectacular venues including St Mary’s Cathedral and Holy Trinity Abbey Church in the picturesque village of Adare, Co Limerick.
The festival weekend is designed to offer choirs the opportunity to sing in some of Ireland’s finest music venues in the company of choristers from other countries and traditions of singing. It also offers a social programme to entertain you and provide a chance to meet your local Irish hosts from Limerick choirs.
Trés Court International Film Festival
June 7-16 2019
Très Court International Film Festival is an event without borders, with screenings over nine days simultaneously in one hundred cities in 24 countries.
The major programme of the festival is the international competition. Fifty films of less than four minutes representing the best, and especially the shorter, of the global audiovisual production year are presented each year.
Programme of events to be announced.
Cruinniú na nÓg
June 15 2019
A national day of creativity for children and young people, Cruinniú na nÓg takes place on 15 June 2019.
It is about giving children and young people the opportunity to express themselves through a specially curated programme of cultural and creative activities where they can share their ideas, learn new skills and have fun!
Cruinniú na nÓg celebrates and encourages participation in culture and creativity through performance, coding, theatre, art and music workshops, readings, screenings, special events and much more. Events are free, local and activity-based. It’s a day for doing, making and creating!
Thomond Swim 2019
June 15 2019, 5pm
Limerick Masters Swimming Club is hosting the annual Thomond Swim for 2019 on Saturday 15th June at 5pm.
The course will start at the slipway at St. Michael’s Rowing Club, proceeds upriver to a turning buoy above the Curraghower Falls near Thomond Bridge, along the walls of King John’s Castle, back under Sarsfield Bridge along by Shannon Rowing Club, and finishing back at St. Michael’s Rowing Club.
The swim has an overall distance of 1,800m, making it a challenging event in the country’s largest estuary.
The best viewing points for the event will be on Sarsfield Bridge, along Clancy Strand and along O’Callaghan Strand near the start/finish.
Bloomsday in Bruff
June 16 2019
Bloomsday in Bruff will take place on Sunday 16th June with an exciting line-up of events and activities to delight all Joycean fans.
The day will begin with a traditional Joycean Breakfast followed by a talk strolling through Ulysses, and listen to the story of James Joyce and his works.
Limerick Garden Festival
JUNE 16 2019
Kupala Night – Midsummer Night in Limerick
JUNE 22 2019, 2 pm
Kupala Night is an old Polish and Slavic tradition celebrating midsummer night, with artistic performances of folk dance and song as well as a range of family-friendly activities.
Slavic Inspirations cordially invites you to ‘Midsummer Night’ in Limerick.
The event will be launched with artists and craftsmen from Slavic countries presenting their work. Once again, there will be organised outdoor workshops, playing with clay, plaiting garlands, Slavic yoga, a fairy tale tent, just some of the activities planned for children and adults.
There will also be a historical demonstration, recreating the old Slavs – Brave warriors will present their equipment to the public and fight against each other during a short tournament and Kupala will close with a spectacular Fire Theatre.
There are many legends and stories associated with the summer solstice, the most famous is the flower of ferns, which can only be seen on this night.
BeSPOKE- Limerick`s Cycling Festival
JUNE 22 – 30 2019
A variety of free cycling inspired events taking place across Limerick for Bespoke, Limerick Smater Travel’s cycing festival.
BeSpoke is held every year in Limerick for National Bike Week with plenty of events happening around Limerick that you can get involved in including Bike Repairs, Family Cycles and Cycle Safety promotions
Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music & Dance
JUNE 24 – JULY 5 2019
The Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance returns to the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick for the 23rd successive year from Monday, June 24 to Friday, July 5.
The summer school will be launched on Monday June 24th where students attending the course at the University’s Irish World Academy will benefit from the wisdom and tutelage of eminent figures of the Traditional World such as Dónal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Siobhán Peoples, Louise Mulcahy, Jim Higgins, Colin Dunne, and Karan Casey, to name but a few.
Blas has firmly established itself as one of Ireland’s most prestigious university accredited summer schools, drawing students from all over the world to spend two weeks gaining access to the expertise of some of Ireland’s finest artists. In addition to expert tuition and master classes, Blas students can expect a whole range of activities including lectures on Irish traditional music and dance topics, Irish language classes, lunchtime and evening concerts, sessions, céilithe, field-trips and above all, the unique opportunity to share tunes with some of Ireland’s leading traditional musicians.
Following its launch, a range of public events will take place throughout the summer school, including the annual Francis Roche Memorial lecture, the Blas Bilingual Interview with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Áine Hensey, and daily lunchtime concerts with Blas tutors.
Spirit of the City
JUNE 28-30 2019
Limerick’s newest festival, Spirit of the City outdoor summer bash extravaganza is taking place in June in Arthur’s Quay park and is all about showcasing the best of everything spirits, craft beers and artisan food.
Festival organisers hope to create a festival to celebrate the renewal of the economy in Limerick and the positivity now felt by many local merchants, who will get to proudly showcase their excellent beers, gins, whiskeys, and food.
Festival goers will be treated to some of the very best of music such as UV5, Mickey Joe Harte, The Amazing Apples, and Midnight Sons.
The event which launched last year in Cork sold out within days and an even greater turn out is expected from the Treaty County.
Dromcollogher Festival 2019
JUNE 28- JULY 7 2019
This festival is one of the longest running festivals in Ireland taking place over ten nights every July with a focus on family fun and a carnival.
Over the ten nights of this festival there is entertainment for all age groups. Entertainment ranges from DJ on the street and street entertainers, a kids day, adult fancy dress, bubble football, dog show, talent competition for children and adults, motorbike parade and much more.
Programme of events to be announced.
JULY
Limerick LGBT PrideFestival
JULY 5 – 14 2019
Parade Saturday, July 13
The Limerick Pride Festival features a multitude
of events, from educational workshops and discussions to evenings
of music and club nights, to cater to the Pride needs of everyone.
Find out more
Ballinvreena Annual Flower, Vegetable & Cake Show 2019
JULY 15-21 2019
Community Festival, organised by local community, centred around the main event, a Flower, Vegetable & Cake Show.
This is the 43rd year of the Ballinvreena Annual Flower, Vegetable & Cake Show.A week full of events and community activities including Decorate a Cupcake competition, Kids Tractor Run, Talent Show, Crossroad Dancing, Fancy Dress Parade, Traditional Music, Bingo as well as bouncing castle and local stalls.
Hup na Houra 2019
JULY 10 – 21 2019
Hup na Houra is about traditional music, song and dance – a candlelit seated show including complimentary local artisan produce, tea and coffee.
Hup na Houra will run Mondays and Tuesdays in July in the Church of Ireland, Kilfinane, with a ‘Seisiun’ show continuing each Tuesday throughout August in a more intimate setting at Teach na Cille, Kilfinane.
Experience traditional dancing at it’s best, with a mix of step, set, sean-nós and brush dancing which is sure to thrill. Celebrate the history and life of the local area through music, song and dance.
Booking is essential.
Broadford Summer Festival 2019
July 11-14 2019
Broadford summer festival is an annual festival that has something for the whole community – live music, fashion, a dog show, market stalls, a family fun day and traditional music.
Great fun for all the family from Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14 at the Broadford Summer Festival.
Programme of events to be announced.
Newcastle West Agricultural Show
July 21 2019
Established as one of the leading agricultural shows in the South West region.
Bouncy castles and other family-friendly attractions on site. So come along and enjoy the craic.
Why not bring your dog along too and enter them in the family dog show where excellent prizes are available? All children enter free!
Events include; show jumping and showing, dressage, local and family pony classes, sheep, goat, poultry, miniature horse and donkey classes. There will be a wild bird and rare animal display, a cattle display, a small farm animal and pet section and not forgetting the bonny baby and best-dressed lady competition. There is something for everyone!!!
Welcome to the Neighbourhood – Askeaton Contemporary Arts
JULY 1 – 13 2019
Askeaton Comtemporary Arts host the 13th edition of Welcome to the Neighbourhood – International and Irish artists live and work in County Limerick throughout July 2018.
Since 2006, Askeaton Contemporary Arts commission, produce and exhibit contemporary art in the locale of a small town in County Limerick, Ireland.
Public events, free and open to all, take place during the artists’ stay, culminating in a special Open Day on Saturday, July 28, featuring new commissioned artworks to be encountered throughout Askeaton.
Programme of events to be announced
A Weekend of Words
July 19 – 22 2019
Every July Stanzas holds a birthday bash called ‘A Weekend of Words’
Stanzas is a free and open event for writers and poets to come together, experience their art, and meet like-minded people. Our festival is a celebration of our birthday, and we incorporate all the best things about words: poetry, short stories, music, monologues, and more!
Celtic Horizon Open 2019
JULY 26-28 2019
Celtic Horizon Tours together with the Irish Marching Band Association are proud to present the Celtic Horizon Open 2019 which will take place in Limerick City and the University of Limerick from Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28 July.
Over the course of three days, bands and audiences will be invited to participate and enjoy SoundSport events, WAMSB sanctioned field show events, parades, and street performances in both Limerick City and at the campus of University of Limerick.
No matter the size, standard, style, or age profile of your band or performing group, there’s an event and performance for you!
AUGUST
Elemental Festival
AUGUST 2-6 2019
Elemental Limerick Arts Festival is an award-winning arts festival run as a not-for-profit. Established in 2012 the festival, which follows a green ethos, was set up to animate the city and showcase the arts in all guises.
This family-friendly festival is taking place in Limerick City over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Ardpatrick Festival 2019
AUGUST 2-4 2019
The Ardpatrick Festival is in it’s 21st year, and promises to be the best one yet!
A weekend of fun events and entertainment for the people of the hillside village and surrounding areas in mid-summer.
Programme of events to be announced.
B-Fest Ballingarry
AUGUST 3rd – 6th 2019
Once again, the beautiful village of Ballingarry will host the return of the hugely successful charity festival B-FEST, which kicks off on Friday, August 2, Bank Holiday Weekend.
B-FEST 2019 which promises to be better than ever with an action-packed weekend of family fun activities, live music from the street gig rig and hilarious human novelty games.
Fusion Dance Festival
AUGUST 8-16 2019
Fusion Dance Fest by Fusion Fighters is now in it’s 4th year and will once again take place at the Millennium Theatre, Limerick.
Fusion Dance Fest by Fusion Fighters is fast becoming the perfect meeting hub for dance enthusiasts and creatives from around the world.
This eight day dance camp in 2019 is going to be jam-packed with workshops of various styles of dance and seminars taught by show stars, renowned choreographers, along with members of the ‘Fusion Fighters Crew’.
We have purposefully made the festival as inclusive as possible so it’s suitable for a range of levels and ages. All cast members will have the opportunity to feature in Fusion Fighters video projects and several performances which include a full scale production on the final evening!
McCarthys Circus Bar Travelling Exhibition
AUGUST 10 -SEPTEMBER 30 2019
For more than a century, the McCarthys have had an intimate link with travelling circuses, the distinctive culture and traditions of the ‘Big Top’ in Limerick and the unique artistes and families that have kept this culture alive over the centuries, through good times and bad.
Spanning the era of William McCarthy’s Circus Field, the traditional ‘build-ups’ and the parade, to his son John McCarthy’s (1885-1966) institution that was the Circus Bar in Cappamore (a place where some of the most well-known international circus families regularly stored their props in the off-season), the John McCarthy Circus Archive comprising more than 400 unique circus posters and in excess of 200 photographs, many of them extremely rare was born.
This unique cultural resource enhances our knowledge of the history and development of the circus, not only in Ireland, but on the international stage also. To date, four books have been published as based on materials in this archive, and further research is planned for the near future. In keeping with the cyclical nature of circus, the John McCarthy Circus Archive continues to grow and expand, and just as one generation’s immense work is done, the next begins. The show must go on!
Cappamore
Community Centre Cappamore
Saturday & Sunday, August 10 & 11.
Cappamore Show
Saturday, August 17
Limerick City
Istabrac Hall, Limerick City and County Council Headquarters
September, Monday 2- Monday 30, Monday to Friday.
Ballylanader Pattern Festival 2019
AUGUST 15 2019
The annual Ballylanders Pattern Festival has something for everyone, with sporting activities, outdoor events, farm market & craft stalls.
Sporting events, parade, market stalls, cake sale, table quiz and lots more.
Programme of events coming soon.
Castletown Country Music Festival 2018
AUGUST 16-18 2019
A weekend-long festival of country music with performances every night, a family fun day on Sunday and a Truck Show in aid of Milford Hospice.
Castletown Country Music Festival is celebrating its 11th year.
Cappamore Agricultural Show 2019
AUGUST 17 2019
Cappamore Show will be held at the Showgrounds in Ballyvoreen, Cappamore on Saturday, August 17 2019.
Runnning since 1954, Cappamore Agricultural Show is one of Ireland’s leading one-day shows, and is very highly regarded among exhibitors and regular show supporters throughout the Munster region, and nationally.
Cappamore Show incorporates displays and competitions in areas such as cookery, crafts, agricultural and horticultural produce, and other areas that draw on the traditional skills, arts and crafts of the region, as well as more traditional show sections such as cattle and horse showing, and jumping classes.
Free children’s entertainment will also be provided on the day. Bring friends and family along for a great day at the showground, Ballyvoreen, Cappamore.
National Heritage Week 2019
AUGUST 17- 25 2019
The theme for Heritage Week 2019 is Pastimes | Past Times.
From August 17 to 25, take a stroll through history and explore how our free time has evolved in often fascinating ways.
Many of the events that take place during the week are free and the programme highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage.
Knockaderry Village Fayre
AUGUST 22- 25 2019
As part of a weekend of community fundraising events, Knockaderry Clouncagh Community Council are holding a range of family fun events from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th August.
Thursday, August 22
GAA Draw – The anniversary draw of Knockaderry GAA Club on Thursday evening at an Halla Beag will have extra prizes. This draw has been one of the mainstays of the club for many years and thanks are due to all it’s patrons, ticket sellers and supporters.
Friday, August 23
A Battle of the Townlands pub table quiz will take place on Friday to identify the brainiest locality in our local community. Outside townlands are also welcome to enter.
Saturday, August 24
Saturday evening will feature the Mums & Dads Fun Hurling at the Knockaderry hurling field at 6.30pm, with refreshments later in the Halla Beag. A great evening of entertainment is in store.
Sunday, August 25 – Village Fayre
The Knockaderry Village Fayre will commence at 2pm in the village and will feature a wide variety of children’s entertainment; bouncy castle, kiddies kart events, round bale rolling, Hurling Wall, Hard Hat Headcase Race, Wheel of Fortune, handbag stall, face painting, ball-drop raffle, sideshows, bookstall, catering including Crepes, and the famous Knockaderry home-baking.
It is expected that there will be outdoor platform dancing to the fabulous music of Different Sounds band and traditional music and a Rambling House later in an Halla Beag.
This will be an ideal occasion to bring along visiting friends for a relaxed family and community event before the Autumn begins, to be part of a historic part of local sporting history, and to support the improvement works being carried out to the centres which are used by our community over 850 times in the past year.
Bring Your Limericks to Limerick
AUGUST 23 -25 2019
From humble beginnings, the festival has grown into a hearty line-up of writing workshops, poetry workshops, competition and storytelling.
Supported by the Limerick Writers’ Centre and Global Limerick, the main aim of the festival is to make poetry (especially the Limerick verse) and creative writing accessible to the wider public by inviting people from around the world to participate in the Bring Your Limericks to Limerick competition.
Each year we invite the public to send us their original Limericks (full rules here). The best Limerick is judged by a panel of experts and there is a first prize of €500, not bad for a 5 line poem.
The festival is designed to encourage participation and to promote Limerick as the home of this little famous five line poem.
Mungret Community Musical Festival
AUGUST 24-25 2019
Mungret Community Music Festival will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25, August at Mungret St. Pauls GAA Club.
Saturday, 24 August
Something Happens
The 4 of Us
Paddy Casey
Tiny Giants
Saturday 24th is an over 18 event.
Sunday, August 25 @ 1pm – 7.30pm
Ryan Turners Band
Olivia Douglas
Stuart Moyles
All Folk’d Up
Cliona Hagan
Derek Ryan Music
We will be welcoming all the family on Sunday 25 to Mungret St. Pauls Gaa Club.
The Limerick Show 2019
AUGUST 25 2019
Now in its 90th year, the Limerick Show is a unique event which aims to bring the people of Limerick City and County together.
Up to 15,000 visitors, 1,000 competitors and 150 trade exhibitors will descend on Limerick Racecourse on Sunday 25th August to experience the show that offers something for everyone.
Competitors
Competitors showcase their best cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, dogs, crafts and horticulture.
Food Zone
Limerick people know their food! Browse our artisan food stalls from local suppliers or watch our cookery demonstrations and sample the goods. Just make sure to arrive hungry!
Retail Village
Everyone lacks a bit of retail therapy! With over 200 exhibitors at the show each year, you can find a wide range of goods from local businesses including homeware, jewellery, clothing, furniture, crafts, flowers and much more.
Family Fun
Summer is all about family and at this years Show we have a jam-packed schedule of events. The kids will be entertained with our dedicated kids-only zone including a schedule of events such as the ancient art of story-telling, pet’s corner, talks on animal care and lots of other fun activities.
Limerick Dog Show
Does your pooch have what it takes to be the face of Limerick Dog Show? This years dog show promises to be better than ever with a range of classes suiting all breeds.
For more on the Limerick Show see our video here.
SEPTEMBER
Pigtown Culture & Food Series
SEPTEMBER 1-30 2019
In celebration of Limerick’s unique food heritage, the Pigtown Culture and Food Series is back for its third year. Inspired by the history of Limerick’s famous bacon industry, an exciting programme of themed events will take place in various venues in Limerick throughout the month of September.
Developed by the Limerick Food Group and supported by Limerick City and County Council, the series celebrates Limerick’s unique heritage as a way to showcase the great food and drink available locally, building on our deep-rooted food heritage.
Hospital Arts & Culture Festival 2019
SEPTEMBER 11-15 2019
An arts and culture festival with an emphasis on engaging local community, schools and young people.
An annual festival of theatre, music, window art, speakers, writers, poets, school and club participation, aiming to empower the rural community of Hospital and its hinterland, and in particular, the primary and community secondary school, with almost a thousand students.
Window art by talent drawn from the schools and the community, interspersed with established artists, adorn premises within the area of the village, creating a virtual window expo as a backdrop to each festival.
Events include a photo competition, poetry event, Light into Darkness parade, music and an art display.
Programme of events to be announced.
Polish Arts Festival 2019
SEPTEMBER 19 – OCTOBER 4 2019
The Polish Arts Festival returns for two weeks of inspiring events, promoting the different faces of the Pole abroad – a worker, an artist, a member of the local community and a contributor to European cultural heritage.
The mission of the Polish Art Festival is to encourage the individual to experience and learn something new, to open their eyes to unknown historical and cultural facts, and to share in the joy of the Polish/Slavic way of life.
In a traditional, warm and welcoming setting, children, teenagers, adults, artists and spectators can enjoy the best of music, theatre and fine arts.
Programme of events to be announced.
Limerick Culture Night
SEPTEMBER 20 2019
Culture Night takes place on a Friday in September every year.
Limerick City & County want to make sure that Limerick is once again
well represented in this national initiative with a full programme of events
to showcase the wealth of culture that Limerick has to offer,
International Statue Night
SEPTEMBER 20 2019
As part of Culture Night join us for the night full of mystery and magic with acclaimed international Living Statues at the Hunt Museum Courtyard.
Limerick Jazz Festival
SEPTEMBER 26-29 2019
Limerick Jazz Festival is an annual event promoting live jazz performance
in various venues throughout the city of Limerick featuring artists
from the US, the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
The Paddy Dakar 2019
SEPTEMBER 27-29 2019
Now in it’s tenth year, the Paddy Dakar is an annual orienteering charity event on motorbikes.
This event starts in Doon, Co. Limerick and travels in and around Slieve Felim, Silvermines and the Galtee Mountains, which straddle counties Limerick and Tipperary.
It is held as a tribute to Dakar Riders, past and present, who by their participation have demonstrated themselves to be the pinnacle of Off-Road endurance riding.
The Paddy Dakar is a weekend event and 2019 will be the tenth time the event will be run. The course is aimed at people who ride adventure bikes and who may not have been in any kind of competition in the past, or have any off-road experience.
Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival 2020
Monday 28th September – Saturday 3rd October
Proving there is always something new to learn, Limerick’s Lifelong Learning Festival is a celebration of Learning across the region. It promotes Limerick as a superb location for personal, social and work-related learning and development. The annual LLL Festival features a host of free events and activities to interest, entertain and engage people of all ages!
The selection of events spans across a wide variety of areas such as arts and crafts, music and dancing, sports and leisure, caring and health studies, gardening and horticulture, activities for children and young people, as well as many events exploring more traditional education and training areas.
OCTOBER
Eigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Art Festival
October 3 – 5 2019
In various venues around the Newcastle West town, Michael Hartnett’s ‘
Make a Move
OCTOBER 3-6 2019
Make a Move is an urban community arts festival with its roots strongly based on hip hop culture.
The four day festival includes live performances with MCs, spoken word artists and DJs, street art, talks and walking tours.
Programme of events to be announced.
i.ny
OCTOBER 3 -13 2019
Ireland and New York are synonymous with each other – the shared history, the ever-continuing exchange, the shaping of respective identities and the impact of each place on the other. I.NY is an international cultural project that celebrates and brings to life this shared history.
Now in its third year, as part of the Global Irish Festival Series, I.NY invites artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, playwrights, politicians, educators, entrepreneurs, sportspeople and more to tell the story of how the Ireland-New York relationship has impacted their personal, professional and creative lives.
Welcoming audiences from home and abroad to share their stories and personal experiences of the Ireland-New York story, I.NY also provides an exciting programme from which to hear those stories as shared by other locals, guests and visitors.
Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival
OCTOBER 6 – 19 2019
Limerick’s only arts festival dedicated to children is taking place from October, Sunday 6-Sunday 19.
The annual Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival captures the imagination of young audiences with magical theatre, raucous book readings, chatty talks, interactive workshops plus a host of other activities for the rest of the family too.
Lime Tree Theatre & Belltable Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival will feature a host of amazing events, planned for all age groups!
Programme of events to be announced.
Joyce Brothers Music Festival
OCTOBER 11-13 2019
A weekend of events celebrating the music and song of the Joyce Brothers Collection.
Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Weekend 2019
OCTOBER 18- 20 2019
The Garry McMahon 11th Annual Singing Weekend takes place on October, Friday 19 – Sunday 20.
Weekend of traditional singing and storytelling sessions, newly composed ballad competition, and a bus tour of local heritage areas.
Open House Limerick
October 18-20 2019
Open House Limerick is an annual festival showcasing outstanding
architecture for all to experience, completely free of charge.
Richard Harris Film Festival
OCTOBER 22-28 2019
The Richard Harris International Film Festival 2019 is based in Limerick City, home of legendary actor Richard Harris.
As part of the Global Irish Festival Series, there are screenings of a wide variety of premieres and documentaries, live script readings, acting masterclasses, as well as welcoming stars of the screen.
Samhain – Limerick’s Halloween Festival
OCTOBER 24 – 26 2019
Samhain will culminate with a light-filled lantern parade on Nicholas Street. The Bishop’s Lady will rise to once again roam the medieval streets of Limerick, haunting all who gather on Nicholas Street.
She will lead the parade with community and artistic groups taking part and will end with lanterns being placed upon the river.
The people of Limerick and visitors to the city will gather in a procession of light and dramatically light up the river as the lanterns float away, honouring the spirits of those who have passed.
Samhain, presented by Lumen Street Theatre, is funded by Limerick City and County Council.
Halloween in Limerick
OCTOBER 25 – NOVEMBER 3 2019
There’s more than just ghosts and goblins to be found in Limerick this Halloween.
Spine chillingly scary activities, frighteningly fantastic family fun, festivals and special events.
Programme of events to be announced.
Lough Gur Halloween Festival
A weekend celebration of the art of storytelling with traditional music, drama and poetry, catering for adults and children in the beautiful setting of Lough Gur.
Bruff Bluegrass Festival 2019
OCTOBER 25-27 2019
The gathering of many bluegrass friends from all corners of our Isle will be in Bruff Friday, October 25 until Sunday, October 27 to witness the magical sound of bluegrass.
Witness the magical sound of bluegrass this October Bank Holiday weekend in Bruff.
Siege of Limerick- Samhain
OCTOBER 27 2019
BadReputation Ireland presents: Siege of Limerick Samhain 2019.
Programme of events to be announced.
Castleconnell Halloween Festival
OCTOBER 27 2019
Want a scary night out? Come to Castleconnell on Sunday, October 27 for a scary Halloween Night in the woods!
Ghosts, goblins, witches & more.
Scares guaranteed!
Starting at the Ferry car park, beside the children’s playground.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cuisle International Poetry Festival
TBA
The nightly readings are the highlight of Cuisle Limerick City International Poetry Festival,
which has over the past years gained a very favourable international reputation
as a festival at which to present work, both from at home and abroad.
NOVEMBER
Soulscapes 2019
NOVEMBER 6 – 27 2019
A series of rich evenings for the mind and spirit. Be inspired, entertained, uplifted, challenged.
Soulscapes celebrates and reflects on the human spirit through art, word, music, dance and song.
Join us for a series of rich evenings for the mind and spirit in November.
Limerick Festival of Science
NOVEMBER 9-17 2019
Once again, the University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Institute of Technology have joined to present a range of activities and experiences to celebrate the role of science in the lives of people in the Mid-West region.
The three third level institutions in Limerick will share their enthusiasm for science, technology engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), with everyone in the region.
Science Week brings everyone together, from children and adults to scientists, engineers and technologists, and is designed to spark curiosity, inspire imagination and unleash the potential that can help shape the future.
Our festival aims to challenge stereotypes so young people can see the diversity of people that work in STEAM.
The festival features a range of scientists and engineers from various backgrounds, ages, and disciplines. A variety of interactive talks, workshops, quizzes, competitions, cafe science and fun activities will take place during the week of the festival.
All events are free and more details can be found on www.scienceweek.ie or telephone Johanna on 061 202109.
Light Moves Festival of Screendance
TBA
Light Moves is Ireland’s international festival of dance, film and media arts with events across Limerick City. The festival invites audiences to see dance differently, with an intriguing programme packed with thought-provoking and cutting-edge new and existing work offering an inspiring and stimulating journey of discovery.
DECEMBER
Light up Limerick
November 17 2019
The magic of Christmas will descend on Limerick’s O’Connell Street on Sunday 17 November when the Christmas lights are officially switched on.
Bring the whole family for a fun evening of music and entertainment as we officially kick start the Christmas season in Limerick!
Limerick Christmas Racing Festival
DECEMBER 26 -29 2019
Day 1 of the Christmas Racing Festival. Gates open at 10:30 am with the first race off at approximately 12:30 pm. St. Stephen’s Day racing is a tradition in the mid-west
so make sure you join us for a feast of National Hunt racing to include The Shannon Airport Novice Chase.
