EU funding secured to deliver new Limerick food festival through SLOWTOUR project

EU funding secured to deliver new Limerick SLOWTOUR project food festival. EU SLOWTOUR Project partners’ meeting under the Interreg North‑West Europe (NWE) Programme at the Musée d’art et d’industrie André Diligent de Roubaix in Roubaix, France

EU Funding has been secured to deliver a new SLOWTOUR food festival in Limerick under the Interreg North West Europe Programme

Limerick is set to serve up a major new signature multi‑day Food Festival as Limerick City and County Council announce EU funding has been secured for its SLOWTOUR food festival.

SLOWTOUR focuses on unlocking industrial heritage through inclusive slow tourism, creating authentic, low-impact visitor experiences that strengthen local identity and economic resilience.

The initiative is intended to position Limerick as a leader in sustainable tourism innovation and deliver transformative benefits for the city and county.

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As part of the project, Limerick will implement a pilot action that develops a new food tourism offering based on its rich heritage of the food industry. This will include immersive experiences designed to celebrate local traditions, promote sustainable food practices, and engage citizens through storytelling and co-creation workshops in heritage locations.

Over the next three years, Limerick will deliver a multi-day food festival, with potential for additional events to build on this success. These activities will aim to attract diverse visitor profiles, increase dwell time, and foster community pride.

The total budget for Limerick City and County Council for the project is €606,400, with €363,840 funded by the European Regional Development Fund and €242,560 co-financed by Limerick City and County Council, including support from the Mayor’s discretionary fund to ensure the success of this transformative initiative.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said SLOWTOUR aligns with the “ambition to strengthen our tourism offering” in Limerick as well as promote the city and county’s “food traditions and food producers”.

The mayor added that a portion of the Mayoral Fund will go toward the initiative, adding, “We want to showcase our rich heritage, support local businesses and create experiences that are sustainable and inclusive.”

Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr. Catherine Slattery described the initiative as a “fantastic opportunity” for celebrating the county’s “unique identity while promoting community engagement and economic resilience”.

She said, “I’m happy to see that these festivals will rightly highlight the importance of our food culture as a hub for creativity and sustainability in Limerick.”

Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, added that news of the funding being secured is “a testament to the hard work and vision” of the LCCC team.

He said, “Beyond the festivals that are proposed, Limerick City and County Council will play a key role in governance, compliance and knowledge-sharing with our European partners. This project will strengthen our strategies for inclusive growth and position Limerick as a leader in sustainable tourism innovation.”