UL St Patrick’s Day Parade Group to bring the energy of “all that is good at University of Limerick”

Members of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion UL Parade group marched down in the 2023 St Patrick’s Day parade. Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

University of Limerick (UL) is set to showcase the university’s diverse student body as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion UL Parade group will march in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade

International and local students will come together to immerse themselves in Ireland and Limerick culture while sharing their own backgrounds this Sunday, March 17, 2024.

The theme of this year’s Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival is ‘Limerick: A Different Kind of Energy,’ encapsulating the city and county’s constant evolution, where past and present combine to generate Limerick’s unique energy.

Andrea LaTouche, UL Student Community Engagement Liaison Officer and event organiser emphasised the significance of the St Patrick’s Day Parade as a platform for students to connect with Limerick’s people and traditions while sharing their own.

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Andrea said,  “it is a very exciting to be involved and President Kirsten May is leading the students in UL’s entry for the parade. We want to demonstrate the theme of this year’s parade ‘A Different Kind of Energy’, we have a lot of energy in UL and intend to showcase that in Limerick City.

“We are keen to enhance the Paddy’s Day experience for the local community. It’s going to be an energetic display of all that is good about University of Limerick we want to bring that to families and people on the day!”

Gathering at the Model School early morning, expecting more than 100 participants in the UL Parade Group, the participants will get their face painted and don costumes for the event.

UL has planned key locations in the city centre where the public can get their face painted too; adjacent to the Judges stand on Henry Street, Thomas Street, Bedford Row, and the top of O’Connell Street. Andrea states ‘this day is about community engagement and fun and ULs aim is to be inclusive of everyone and contribute to the conditions for families to get into the spirit of the day’. After the parade is over the face painting continues at the Limerick Milk Market from 2.30-3.30 for members of the public to celebrate Limerick history.

Marching down O’Connell Street and Henry Street, the parade will provide a platform for the University, its students, and staff to showcase their energy and enjoy the St Patrick’s Festival atmosphere.

Taking part in the parade are The DraMakers, a theatre group based in Limerick that aims to provide unique theatrical experiences. Led by Aniela Nowak and the team of talented artists, The DraMakers brings to life stories that celebrate Polish heritage, language, and traditions.

History students from UL will walk in the parade alongside Jacobite re-enactors from En Garde Living History

For those taking part in this year’s parade, it will mean more than just joining the procession through the city’s streets as participant’s will have the unique opportunity to celebrate Limericks history at 2.30pm in the Limerick Milk Market with the unveiling of a commissioned piece of art of Patrick Sarsfield by artist Ken Coleman. Fionán Coughlan of RE:Story, a store at the Milk Market, said, “Limerick is celebrating 333 years since the signing of the Treaty of Limerick and ongoing excavations in Belgium led by Dr Loic Guyon MIC to repatriate the remains of Patrick Sarsfield to Ireland.

Andrea stated this is a very timely historical event which coincides with prestigious award granted by EU Histolab to Corpus Christi School, Moyross recognising Innovative School Projects in History Teaching.

In a fitting conclusion to the event, the group will celebrate in Limerick’s Milk Market, a cultural gem in our city, to enjoy an afternoon of food, cultural exchange, and traditional music with Mickey Dunne Limericks world renowned Uilleann Piper.

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