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Open Doors Campaign to make live performance accessible at University Concert Hall
Open Doors Campaign to make live performance accessible at University Concert Hall
University Concert Hall Launches Open Doors Campaign, Making Live Performance Accessible to Every Child Across Limerick and the Midwest
University Concert Hall (UCH) has announced the launch of Open Doors, a new fundraising campaign dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the magic of live performance, regardless of their circumstances.
The launch of Open Doors follows news that UCH is among more than 170 organisations to benefit from the latest round of RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants, announced by Community Foundation Ireland on 23 June 2026. The Foundation turns donations raised through the annual television appeal into direct action for children and families around the country.
Building on support received through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, Open Doors reflects UCH’s long-term commitment to making arts and culture more accessible for children and families across Limerick and the wider Mid-West.
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For many children in the community across the county, attending a live performance is something they have never experienced. Financial hardship, transport costs and accessibility barriers can mean that a visit to the theatre simply isn’t possible.
Barriers stand in the way for many children and families in our community. The cost of a ticket. A lack of support for children with additional needs. The cost of a bus to the annual Panto for schools that are already stretched thin. Donations will help fund captioning technology, Irish Sign Language training for staff and subsidising transport for schools who can’t otherwise afford the journey to the annual Panto.
The Open Doors campaign will help expand accessible performances, provide subsidised transport and theatre visits for schools and community groups, invest in captioning technology and Irish Sign Language training, and grow the successful Panto for All programme, ensuring that more children can enjoy the shared experience of live theatre.
Sinead Hope, Director of University Concert Hall, said, “Every child deserves the chance to experience the excitement, joy and wonder of live performance. At University Concert Hall Limerick we believe the arts should be for all, and Open Doors is our commitment to making that belief a reality. Thanks to the support of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal we’ve taken an important first step, but this is only the beginning. Together with our community, we want to open our doors even wider so that everyone feels welcome, included and inspired.”
UCH is inviting individuals, businesses and community organisations to support the campaign by helping raise a further €10,000, enabling Open Doors to become a permanent part of the Concert Hall community programme and ensuring that more families can experience the lasting impact of live performance.
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