Learning Festival Returns with an International Flavour

  • Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival 2018

Limerick’s Lifelong Learning Festival makes an exciting return to the city and county for its eighth consecutive year during the third week of March. With over 200 events and activities to entertain and involve people of all ages, this year’s festival promises to be as engaging as previous years.

The 2018 Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival takes place from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th March and was launched today (Monday 5th March) in the Limerick City and County Council Corporate Headquarters by Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Stephen Keary, accompanied by the Chairperson of Learning Limerick, Eimear Brophy of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.

The weeklong festival is organised by the Learning Limerick Steering Group, which represents the main stakeholders involved in promoting learning across Limerick City and County. Along with the annual festival’s tagline of ‘Communities, Connecting, Learning’ the theme for the 2018 festival is ‘Limerick Together for Equitable and Inclusive Learning’.

Speaking at today’s launch, Mayor Stephen Keary said: " Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival is giving people the opportunity to dip their toes back into learning, hoping to ignite that dormant spark.  What is very heartening to see is that all the agencies and stakeholders are working very closely in partnership to make sure the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival is the best it can be.”

Chair of Learning Limerick, Eimear Brophy, said: “On behalf of the steering group, I would like to express my thanks to all the various event organisers for planning the fantastic events scheduled for this year’s festival. I also wish to acknowledge our sponsors who provide vital funding to run the festival each year. I look forward to attending lots of the events during the week and encourage everyone to also get out there and participate in this great celebration of learning.”

All events throughout the week are again free of charge and available for everyone. Learning is promoted as fun with events including performances, taster sessions, tours, displays, lectures, walks, demonstrations and workshops. The events take place right across Limerick in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, including on water and in libraries, museums, colleges, resource, family and community centres, parks and on the streets.

Events include ‘Easter Laughs & Crafts’ in East Limerick locations, ‘Digital Skills’ with Mobile IT in Bruree, ‘Learn to be a hands-on Archaeologist!’ in Limerick City Museum and an ‘Introduction to Animation’ with Limerick School of Art & Design to name just a few! There are hundreds of events on varied topics ranging from Business, Drama, Maths and Sports to guided tours, exhibitions and workshops across the city and county. All events are listed in a daily schedule in the free 2018 Festival Programme booklet.

Learning Limerick is a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which is an international policy-oriented network providing inspiration, know-how and best practice. Limerick was honoured to receive the UNESCO Learning City Award in 2017.

The flagship event for the festival this year will be the International Learning Cities Seminar which will be held in ENGINE Limerick on Wednesday 21st March. Invited representatives from partner learning cities and regions will include Cork, Belfast and Bristol Learning Cities.

Partners will share learning region updates and good practice on promoting equitable and inclusive learning. This seminar will offer a wonderful opportunity to explore partnership initiatives with other learning cities and regions.

Free copies of the 2018 Festival Programme are now available throughout Limerick and on www.limerick.ie/lovelearning, with daily updates also on Facebook ‘Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival’ and Twitter @LimkLearnFest

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