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WATCH University of Limerick global students celebrate culture and Legends of Limerick on St Patrick’s Day
University of Limerick global students celebrate culture and Legends of Limerick on St Patrick’s Day. University of Limerick Global students pictured at Limerick’s St Patricks Day 2026. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
350 University of Limerick international and local students marched through Limerick City in a celebration of Ireland’s culture and diversity on St Patrick’s Day 2026
Limerick’s St Patrick’s Day parade was a spectacular display of culture, community and celebration, with more than 350 University of Limerick international/local students joining the Legends of Limerick marching through Limerick City Centre.
Representing the university community hailing from all corners of the world, students proudly showcased their diverse backgrounds while immersing themselves in Irish traditions through the St Patrick’s Day Parade and experiencing some trad music while remembering a legend of Limerick and UL, Irish musician and founder of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.
Linda Fitzgerald, UL Student Volunteering and President’s Volunteer Award (PVA) Manager, said, “ Today, we are here with 350 of our wonderful students from every corner of the globe. We’re here to celebrate our cultural differences, diversity, and inclusion. We’re learning from each of their cultures. What better way to do it than on our day, St. Patrick’s Day here in Ireland?”
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Speaking about the pride the students have in the event, Linda added, “ These students are here earning credit for their PVA, and they want to immerse themselves in Irish culture. We read the reflections that they come back with to us, and they say it’s been the highlight of their year. Just to celebrate Irish, and St Patrick’s Day is our day to do it and celebrate that!”
Students taking part in the parade expressed their excitement to be involved in such an important celebration in Irish tradition and culture, Global UL student, Cassia from Nigeria, said, “ I’m so glad. I love Ireland. So before I came to Ireland, I saw this video of St Patrick’s Day, and I’ve been anticipating it, so I’m so glad I am here!”
Fellow Global student, Gan from China, said the experience has been “wonderful, just unforgettable, happy!” saying his favourite part was, “The whole process of organisation and the whole preparation. I can feel the passion of the Irish people.”
Rizki, a UL Global student from Indonesia, said, “ The new generation sees us as a university, as part of the community, that we are really diverse! We are representing the diversity of Ireland. This is such a good experience for me, this is during Ramadan also, I feel like being a part of the community.”
The theme for Limerick St Patrick’s Festival 2026 was the “Legends of Limerick”, celebrating the remarkable people, stories and moments that have shaped the county’s unique identity. The UL volunteers taking part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations paid tribute to a legend of Limerick, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.
Andrea LaTouche, UL Student Community Engagement Liaison, shared the importance of remembering the Irish World Academy’s legacy, saying, “ Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin founded the Irish World Academy of Music, and in the foundation of that, we now have degrees and postgraduate degrees in such a variety of different arts, of music, culture, dance.
“The legacy that he left is the intercultural exchange, the blend of different art, music, and dance into each other’s cultures. We’re celebrating him today because his legacy lives on. So we’re delighted to celebrate his continued legacy at the University of Limerick.”
Following the parade, at the Milk Market, the volunteers were treated to local food, ice cream, and a musical performance by internationally acclaimed musician and recent University of Limerick’s President’s Medal awardee, Mickey Dunne playing the traditional uilleann pipes.
Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick
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