Limerick’s majestic River Shannon will be the setting for a spectacular water sports display next Sunday, May 1st, as the 2011 European City of Sport celebrates Riverfest!
Make sure not to miss the ultimate boys toys event on the Limerick quays from 3pm-7pm with lots of river based family fun including a slalom course, kayaking, sailing, jet skis, power boats and the Marine Rescue helicopter.
Awesome zapcats and powerboats will participate in a relay race on the Shannon while a variety of sailing boats will sail into Limerick for the festive weekend.
At approximately 6pm on Sunday, May 1st, all participating crafts will form a flotilla and sail from Thomond Bridge to Shannon Bridge with each craft setting off a flare leaving a trail of either green or white smoke to represent the colours of Limerick city.
Limerick will also celebrate its historic rowing tradition with displays from local rowing clubs in traditional vessels including gandelows, angling cots and currachs.
At 6pm on Sunday, May 1st, a 900m sprint from Limerick Court House Wall to the Shannon Bridge will take place organised by Limerick Regatta committee in a race conducted under the full rules of Rowing Ireland.
The top crews in the country will also compete in the Coonagh Currach Regatta at Howley’s Quay over Riverfest weekend.
Riverfest will take place between April 29th-May 2nd and the festival aims to showcase all that is great about Limerick city, from the best resource of the river Shannon to the music, sporting, artistic and food communities.
Ireland’s largest BBQ, a FREE live open air rock concert presented by HMV, a continental market and artisan craft market, a glamorous fashion event and a huge fireworks display over the Shannon are just some of the highlights of the four day event. The weekend also sees Corona’s play in the Milk Market, Riverfest Racing at Limerick Racecourse and the Rivefest C: Inside fun cultural events at six Limerick art studios.
This year thousands of rugby fans will also enjoy the festivities as they flood into Limerick over the May Bank Holiday weekend to see Munster take on Harlequins in the Amlin Cup semi-final at Thomond Park Stadium while thousands more will arrive in the city to participate in the Great Limerick Run.
It is estimated that up to €20m will be generated in visitor spend over the weekend.
“Riverfest promotes the best of Limerick life on Ireland’s greatest river with a huge line up of fun, family and sporting events,” said Mayor Maria Byrne. “It’s also the biggest party in Ireland on the May Bank Holiday weekend so come and join us in Limerick.”
John Crowe, Limerick Projects and Promotions Manager, Shannon Development said: “Shannon Development is delighted with the programme of activities for this year’s Riverfest which is an integral element of Shannon Development’s promotional programme for Limerick. The feedback from the tourism sector is very positive and the festival of events, which has something for everyone, is expected to generate between €15m and €20m in visitor expenditure over the weekend.”
Riverfest is run on behalf of the Limerick Communications Office by Futureama Productions and is sponsored by Limerick City Council, Shannon Development, Fáilte Ireland, Limerick’s Live 95FM with associate sponsors including HMV, the Locke Bar, Mr Binman, the Mid West Regional Authority and the NEA Watersport Initiatives.
