Limerick Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Limerick, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland)
Limerick enjoys an exciting events schedule throughout the year. Regardless of the time of year you visit, you will find plenty of things to do across County Limerick. Festivals cater for a range of interests, but there's a special emphasis on traditional music and art forms in
Ireland.
While a few of the best-attended festivals take place in the summer, there is always something scheduled, with out-of season highlights including the Limerick Riverfest each April and the Cruisle International Poetry Festival in October. Some years, tourists will be lucky enough to witness a fully costumed re-enactment of the 1690 Siege of Limerick Battle around Clancy's Strand, complete with cannons and muskets.
Limerick Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- unFringed Festival - a catch-all arts programme featuring artists, writers comedians and street performers from across the world
February
- Kate O'Brien Weekend - late February, a literary weekend to honour the matron novelist
March
- Fresh Film Festival - mid-March, at the Belltable Arts Centre, a chance for aspiring young filmmakers to screen their works and meet like-minded people, culminating in an awards ceremony
- St. Patrick's Day - March 17th, the world's favourite Irish holiday, with a lively parade on O'Connell Avenue
- Easter Sunday - late March / early April, religious services take place at St. Mary's Cathedral, St. John's Cathedral and other central churches
April
- Limerick River Fest / Riverfest - with music, food and dragon boat races on the river, as well as a continental food market, tug of war, fishing, comedy gigs and a huge BBQ
May
- Great Limerick Run - early May, with more than 6,000 runners filling the streets of the city centre to compete in a marathon race, a half-marathon and a 10-km / 6-mile run
- Labour Day (Lá an Lucht Oibre) - first Monday in May, a public holiday in Ireland
- Limerick Fleadh - late May, a popular weekend exhibition of traditional music and dance, kicking off towards the end of the month
June
- Blas International Summer School - an acclaimed annual workshop teaching traditional Irish music and dance, taking place at the city's university
July
- Custom and Performance Car Show - an annual get-together for car enthusiasts, held at the local racecourse and reliably drawing large crowds. Look out for the unique cars in the 'Show and Shine' section
August
- Birr Vintage Week - an annual family event with a mix of traditional and modern activities
- Cappamore Show - mid-August, a major agricultural and horticultural show in nearby Cappamore, with horse jumping, arts and crafts, and endless food stalls
- Summer Concerts - mid-August, at the University of Limerick, in the Castletroy area
- Limerick Show - late August, the largest agricultural show in the county, staged in Munster and featuring cattle, dog competitions, horse jumping, horticultural exhibits, fancy dress, live music, traditional Irish dancing and lots of other entertainment. This show is a two-day event, usually staged over a weekend towards the end of August
September
- Traditional Harvest Day - at Brunratty Castle, this day features vintage machines, threshing demonstrations and traditional song and dance
- Limerick Gay Pride Festival - mid-September, lasting an entire week, with much partying and flamboyant costumes
- Autumn Music in Castleconnell - mid-September to December, with various evening concerts staged at venues around nearby Castleconnell
- Tweak Festival - late September, an interactive art fest promoting the understanding of modern technology, lasting five days and featuring robots, large art installations, workshops and demonstrations by leading digital artists
- Limerick Culture Night - late September, at venues around the city centre, including youth performances and live music at King John's Castle, Thomond Park and Conradh na Gaeilge on Thomas Street
October
- Limerick Women's Mini Marathon - early October, starting at the UL Arena and watched by crowds of onlookers
- Cruisle International Poetry Festival - mid-October, a chance to enjoy four-days' worth of literary readings, poetry workshops and related discussions
November
- Athea Fair Day - a street fair in neighbouring Athea, with handicrafts and some livestock for sale
December
- Christmas - an entire month of holiday events taking place in Limerick, culminating in Midnight Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral
- St. Stephen's Day 10-Mile Road Championship Run - December 26th, commencing at the Caherdavin Community Centre each year and drawing crowds
- Christmas Racing Festival - late December, a true seasonal highlight in the county, where horse racing is staged at the racecourse at Greenmount Park in nearby Patrickswell, over a four-day period, starting on Boxing Day (December 26th)