Seven ways to enjoy Limerick St Patrick’s Festival weekend for free

Limerick St Patrick’s festival events and activities which won’t break the bank. Here are seven FREE events and activities for this weekend

Discover Limerick this weekend with a range of Limerick St Patrick’s festival events and activities that won’t break the bank

Limerick St Patrick’s Festival offers free fun for all the family featuring live music, comedy, street theatre, magic and more.

Take a journey through time at the Hunt Museum or unlock festival delights at Limerick’s Milk Market. The Limerick St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be ‘D’Unbelievable’ this year with Grand Marshal Jon Kenny leading it off. On Sunday, Limerick will march to the beat of musicians from around the world as the 51st International Band Championship takes centre stage. Here are seven ways to enjoy the festivities without having to dig deep into your pocket.

For a full list of events this St Patrick’s Festival Weekend, view our festival event guide here but below are seven ways to enjoy this St Patrick’s Weekend for free!

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

1. Limerick St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The weekend festivities will burst into life as we welcome back the spectacular St. Patrick’s Day parade, bigger and better than ever. Led by Grand Marshal, award-winning actor Jon Kenny, the parade is set to become a carnival of colour and celebration as visual artists Buí Bolg join Lumen Street Theatre, Cloughjordan Circus Club, Limerick Youth Dance Company, the Hit Machine Drummers and hundreds of local participants along Limerick’s main thoroughfares on 17 March.

Communities across Limerick can embrace the celebrations as St. Patrick’s Day festivities take to the streets in towns and villages throughout the County including Abbeyfeale, Adare, Askeaton, Ballylanders, Bruff, Castleconnell, Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Mountcollins, Newcastle West and Rathkeale.

2. St. Patrick’s Festival Street Show Saturday

The weekend festivities will continue on Saturday 18 March with an afternoon of comedy, high-energy acrobatics, mind-boggling manoeuvres and jaw dropping antics at St. Patrick’s Festival Street Show Saturday. Street performers Wobbly Circus, Hakuna Matata Acrobats, Fanzini Brothers, Stephen McGinley’s crazy circus, and magician Jack Wise will wow the crowds with performances on Thomas Street and Bedford Row from 12 noon to 3pm.

3. Limerick International Band Championship

Limerick has the edge on other cities as it hosts Ireland’s only International Band Championship, now celebrating its 51st edition. On Sunday 19 March, Limerick City centre will abound with the sound of beating drums, brilliant trumpet tones and rhythmic marching musicians from across the globe for what is a uniquely Limerick experience. A 400-strong marching band from the University of Florida will be among the 1,500 musicians taking to city streets. Come along and show a warm Limerick welcome to the five US bands competing this year, along with 14 other groups from Canada, Northern Ireland, Donegal, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Westmeath.

4. St. Patrick’s Tide at St. Mary’s Cathedral

Renowned for its wonderful acoustics and ambience, St. Mary’s Cathedral will host a week-long series of free lunchtime and evening concerts from 12 to 19 March as part of the St. Patrick’s Festival weekend celebrations. As well as musical performances from Stateside groups Texas Women’s University Concert Band, Clements High School Choir and Grandview High School concert goers can look forward to the dulcet tones of soprano Elisabeth Goell and a roof raising recital from local favourite Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band.

5. St Patrick’s Weekend Unlocked at Limerick Milk Market

Soak up the delicious buzz and discover the best of local, fresh produce at Limerick Milk Market – a local haven for foodies. As always, entry is free, but it will take major willpower not to be tempted by the inviting aromas and indulge in some of the delicious treats on offer! To add to the weekend celebrations, Irish Chamber Orchestra’s Sing Out with Strings ensemble have planned a pop up performance on 18 March while ArtLimerick’s creative community showcase their beautiful local artwork at the annual St. Patrick’s Art Fair on 19 March. 

6. St. Patrick’s Day at the Hunt Museum

Head on down to the Hunt Museum for some free post parade entertainment! Mini explorers can journey through time on a fun-filled St. Patrick’s themed museum trail while the museum’s riverside garden is set to host a showcase of canvas inflatables from TUS Limerick School of Art & Design, inspired by one of Ireland’s most famous fashion designers Sybil Connolly.

7. Take in a toe-tapping trad session

Get jiggy at a traditional Irish music session in one of Limerick’s many live music venues and get the ‘craic’ started for the weekend ahead! Every evening traditional Irish musicians and dancers take centre stage at the Locke Bar for the Big Limerick Seisiún, while Dolans pub, synonymous in Limerick and beyond for its charm, Irish hospitality and incredible atmosphere, hosts a free traditional music session every Saturday night.

For a full list of events this St Patrick’s Festival Weekend, view our festival event guide here