Limerick will be alive with music and song throughout the month of May as top local musicians and singers perform lunchtime concerts in the city’s leafy People’s Park.

As part of the May Music in the Park series, Limerick City Council will work with local bands to bring an exciting and varied music recital programme to the people of Limerick.

The performances will begin this Saturday, May 7^st with traditional Irish Music from the Irish World Academy based at the University of Limerick.

On Saturday, May 14^th, it’s the turn of jazz band Idol Bones to entertain while on Saturday, May 21^st, the voices of Cantette, Seoda and Limerick Youth Choir will fill the People’s Park.

The Boherbuoy Band will finish the series with a lunchtime concert on May 28^th.

All concerts are free and take place between 1.30pm-3pm.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne said she hopes that Limerick families, shoppers and business users will use the opportunity to have a picnic, listen to some great music and enjoy the People’s Park as a recreation area.

“May Music in the Park was exceptionally successful last year and I’m delighted to see that’s it’s taking place again this year as there is a long tradition of music in the city’s parks” she said. “Our Arts and Environment departments are working together to promote our parks as a wonderful city asset and the People’s Park is ideal for somewhere to relax, bring the family and listen to some of Limerick’s most talented musicians and singers.”

The People's Park, in Pery Square, is the principal park in Limerick City and the only park in Ireland to hold a prestigious Green Flag.

It was formally opened in 1877, in memory of Richard Russell, a prominent local businessman. Items of interest in the Park include the restored Drinking Fountain, provided by employees of Russell Flour Mills and the former Carnegie Library, built on park ground, and now the City Art Gallery Children's Playground.

There is also a Remembrance Plaque in memorial to Thomas Spring Rice, M.P. for the city 1820-1832, a Band Stand erected by the Corporation of Limerick in 1895 and two Park Shelters.

The park is also home to a large selection of mature, deciduous and evergreen trees such as, Ash, Beech, Birch, Elm, False Acacia, Flowering Cherry, Flowering Crab, Hawthorn, Holly, Hornbeam, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Maple, Mountain Ash, Oak, Ornamental Pear, Plane, Poplar, Walnut, Whitebeam and Willow plus, of course, a wonderful display of flowers during the summer months.

Everyone is invited to the free concerts which Limerick City Council hopes will be a tremendous success.

ENDS

For further media information; please contact Laura Ryan, Communications Executive, Limerick Communications Office, 88 O’Connell Street, Limerick 061-400010/086-6042544

BAND/MUSICIAN BIOGRAPHAIES

• The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is a centre of academic and performance excellence based at UL. It offers a suite of courses in music and dance related subject areas and its research is at the forefront of these fields of enquiry worldwide.

• Idol Bones have a vast repertoire which provide a wide variety of music including Latin American, Salsa, Swing, Jazz, Rock and Pop. The band is a regular at the Cork Jazz Festival and has played after major events in Croke Park, the RDS, and Thomond Park Stadium.

• Cantette, Seoda and Limerick Youth Choir represent some of the most talented young male and female voices in Limerick. They perform a varied repertoire including rock n’ roll, songs from the musicals and contemporary classics – something to appeal to all ages. 

• Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band are one of Ireland’s most respected brass and reed bands. Established in the Boherbuoy area of Limerick, the band is celebrating 160 years in existence this year and is well known locally for its tradition and sense of community.