If you’ve ever wondered who first decided to bring trees indoors to celebrate Christmas, the story behind the bright red poinsettia flower or how Advent calendars became a popular means to count down the days in the run up to the 25th, then, a new event in Limerick’s festive calendar International Christmas in Limerick will answer all these questions and more.
Limerick City and County Council, in partnership with the Hunt Museum and supported by Creative Ireland, present International Christmas in Limerick this Sunday 11 December (between 11am and 5pm) at the Hunt Museum. In what promises to be an entertaining and informative showcase of Christmas traditions and non-Christmas winter traditions, a series of presentations and performances will be shared by our international communities in Limerick.
Scheduled on the day will be:
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Children’s Ojo de Dios:
A Mexican decoration making workshop for ages 9-12 years and younger with adult supervision. Limited spaces available and booking essential.
- Winter and Christmas customs:
Mayor’s welcome with presentations of customs from Algeria, Germany and Austria, Bangladesh and Poland.
- Pinata:
The Mexican Christmas piñata consists of seven peaks that symbolise the seven deadly sins of humanity.
- Fandango Dance Performance:
The Fandango is a community celebration central to the Son Jarocho tradition of Veracruz, Mexico.
- Polish Christmas Carols Concert:
The Polish Arts Festival, Choir Conductor: Anna Banko – Szumacher.
- Cinematic Fusion Dance Performance:
Performed by Indian group KOOTTU
- International Cultural Displays:
Cultural displays from Ukraine, India, Algeria, Bangladesh and more.
Dr. Pippa Little, Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said “Limerick is home to just under 100 nationalities and this new event in the Christmas in Limerick calendar, is just the beginning of a new journey together at wintertime, to celebrate belonging and what belonging means in Limerick today. We’re looking forward to celebrating Christmas customs and winter traditions with our international communities in Limerick at the Hunt Museum this Sunday. Definitely one not to be missed for your Christmas calendar”.
Admission to the event is free on the day, with complimentary admission to the Hunt Museum general collection also on offer. An additional charge applies for the temporary exhibition; ‘Made of Earth’ and tickets may be purchased at reception.
‘International Christmas in Limerick’ is just one of hundreds of events taking place in Limerick during the festive period. These include:
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Christmas Village: Arthur’s Quay Park is Christmas central this year! Enjoy delicious seasonal treats, vintage carousel and carnival games, ice-skating, festive stalls or a tasty tipple from the Christmas Village bar.
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A Christmas Tale at the Castle: Spend an enchanted evening at King John’s Castle this Christmas. Soak up the festive atmosphere in the castle courtyard and enjoy a Christmas tale for all the family.
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Christmas Tree Maze: Little ones and the young at heart are invited to wander through the magical maze, discover all its secrets and make it through to the other side.
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Limerick On Ice: Experience the magic of real ice at one of Limerick’s most celebrated Christmas attractions at Arthur’s Quay Park.
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Treaty City Brewery Night Fair: Join family and friends for an evening of festive fun in Limerick’s Medieval Quarter.
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Limerick Libraries at Christmas: Huddle in for a festive storytelling session, featuring heart-warming tales about winter traditions from around Europe.
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Limerick Opera Festival – Al Fresco Seasonal Sessions: Wrap up in your winter woollies and join Limerick Opera Festival for a series of on-street festive operatic performances.
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Christmas at Limerick Milk Market: Christmas cheer is in the air with a range of themed markets across December.
As part of Christmas in Limerick, free car parking spaces are available at Limerick City and County Council’s car park at Merchant’s Quay.
The spaces are available to Christmas shoppers and visitors to the city, during weekends in December. The car park will be open on 10/11 December, 17/18 December and also on Christmas Eve. Access to this car park is via Nicholas Street.
More than 8,000 on and off street car parking spaces are available in the city and parking is available on-street and in multi-storey car parks. Download the Limerick e-parking app, or pay by phone or disc. Parking is from just .50c per half hour (Monday to Saturday). On-street parking is free after 5.30pm daily and is always free on Sundays.
In Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Newcastle West, shoppers will get an extra two hours free parking in each of the towns from 2.30pm daily up to 31 December inclusive. This is in addition to the first hour free. Parking is free on Sundays as always.
Information on bus routes and scheduled services to the city and across the county can be found on the Bus Eireann website (buseireann.ie) and Leap Cards can be used for savings on all buses.
The Christmas in Limerick programme is co-ordinated by Limerick City and County Council’s Culture and Arts and Marketing and Communications Departments.
Christmas in Limerick is proudly supported by media partners Limerick Post, Limerick Leader, Live 95 and Spin South West.
Full details about what’s on over the Christmas period in Limerick are available in the Christmas in Limerick 2022 event guide online and will be distributed throughout Limerick.
Keep up to date with all things Christmas in Limerick via:
Facebook: ChristmasInLimerick
Instagram: @ChristmasInLimerick
Twitter: @XmasLimerick
#ChristmasInLimerick