Organisers of this year’s Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival are helping to bridge the gap between all communities in Limerick through learning. Bridging the Gap, this year’s theme, links young and old, rural and urban, returning to learning and welcoming new communities, and runs alongside the festival’s annual tagline of ‘Communities, Connecting, Learning’.
The theme also symbolises the ‘3 Bridges’ walking route in Limerick.
The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival makes an inspirational ninth return to the city and county in April with over 200 free events and activities taking place for the enjoyment and learning of all. There promises to be something to entertain and involve people of all ages, interests and backgrounds during the week long festival.
This year’s festival takes place Monday 08 to Sunday 14 April.
Events this year include:
- Three Billy Goats Gruff with Limerick Childcare Committee across the Limerick Library Network
- Irish Union Workhouses – The Impact on Irish People with Merriman Research in King John’s Castle
- Spanish and Latin Dancing in the University of Limerick
- Seo É Mise - This is Me with Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty
An All-Ireland Seminar for the Festival will take place on Wednesday 10 April in King John’s Castle, where delegates from the Learning City-Regions of Cork, Dublin, Belfast and Derry Strabane will attend and participate with the focus on Green and Healthy Learning, Digital Inclusion, Intergenerational Learning and Employability/ Entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the launch today (Fri 22 Mar 2019) in Adare Heritage Centre, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr James Collins said: “Learning is never a wasted experience. It helps us to grow intellectually as well as physically. It allows us to broaden our horizons. The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival brings together the joy and wonder of learning for all those who participate. It is done in a way that eases the learner in, making them feel involved in the whole process. I would encourage everyone to take a look at the programme of events. There is something there for everyone.”
“I would also like to say thank you to the steering group, who have worked tirelessly down through the years to make the Festival such a success. I’m particularly proud of the key achievements of Learning Limerick in recent years including the UNESCO Learning City Award 2017 which has underpinned and endorsed the work that is being carried out.”
The week long festival is organised by the Learning Limerick Steering Group, which represents the main stakeholders involved in promoting learning across Limerick City and County.
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 and to build upon this dedication shown by Learning Limerick, the Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) will launch Limerick Learning Neighbourhoods on Wednesday 10 April during the festival. The Learning Neighbourhoods initiative aims to benefit residents by taking the learning city concept to the neighbourhood level.
Eimear Brophy Chairperson of the Steering Group, from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board said: “The international recognition for Limerick by UNESCO is a testament to the collaborative work of the partners in Limerick, which includes the success of the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival. The festival supports our work in promoting access to lifelong learning and brings providers from all sectors together to promote both formal and informal learning activities.”
All events throughout the week are again free of charge and available to everyone!
Learning is promoted as something that is fun and enjoyable, 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 in libraries, museums, castles, colleges, resource, family and community centres, parks and on the streets.
There are hundreds of events on varied topics ranging from drama, business and entrepreneurship, maths and science to guided tours, exhibitions and workshops, all across the city and county.
Learning Ambassadors is another recent initiative brought to life by Learning Limerick to spread enthusiasm and love for learning all over the learning region of Limerick. Our Ambassadors will work with Learning Limerick and the Festival and help promote and celebrate learning opportunities. They will act as role models and help inspire learners. We are looking forward to meeting and hearing more from our Ambassadors at Festival events this year!
Free copies of the 2019 Festival Programme will soon be available throughout Limerick and on www.limerick.ie/lovelearning, with daily updates also on Facebook, Twitter @LimkLearnFest and Instagram @limerickllfestival.