Limerick is set to serve up a major new signature multi‑day Food Festival after Limerick City and County Council secured EU funding for its SLOWTOUR project under the Interreg North‑West Europe (NWE) Programme.
SLOWTOUR focuses on unlocking industrial heritage through inclusive slow tourism, creating authentic, low-impact visitor experiences that strengthen local identity and economic resilience.
The initiative is intended to position Limerick as a leader in sustainable tourism innovation and deliver transformative benefits for the city and county.
As part of the project, Limerick will implement a pilot action that develops a new food tourism offering based on its rich heritage of the food industry. This will include immersive experiences designed to celebrate local traditions, promote sustainable food practices, and engage citizens through storytelling and co-creation workshops in heritage locations.
Over the next three years, Limerick will deliver a multi-day food festival, with potential for additional events to build on this success. These activities will aim to attract diverse visitor profiles, increase dwell time, and foster community pride.
The total budget for Limerick City and County Council for the project is €606,400, with €363,840 funded by the European Regional Development Fund and €242,560 co-financed by Limerick City and County Council, including support from the Mayor’s discretionary fund to ensure the success of this transformative initiative.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said:
"This is a proud moment for Limerick. The SLOWTOUR project aligns perfectly with our ambition to strengthen our tourism offering and further promote Limerick’s food traditions and food producers. We want to showcase our rich heritage, support local businesses and create experiences that are sustainable and inclusive. I am thrilled to contribute a significant portion of my Mayoral Fund to this initiative, in an effort to ensure Limerick continues to thrive as a vibrant, forward-thinking place.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr. Catherine Slattery commented:
"This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Limerick’s unique identity while promoting community engagement and economic resilience. I’m happy to see that these festivals will rightly highlight the importance of our food culture as a hub for creativity and sustainability in Limerick."
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr. Pat Daly added:
"Securing this funding is a testament to the hard work and vision of our team and I want to congratulate them on their successful application. Beyond the festivals that are proposed, Limerick City and County Council will play a key role in governance, compliance and knowledge-sharing with our European partners. This project will strengthen our strategies for inclusive growth and position Limerick as a leader in sustainable tourism innovation."
About SLOWTOUR
The SLOWTOUR consortium includes partners from France, Belgium, Germany and Ireland, each delivering innovative pilots:
- Limerick (Ireland): Food Festival
- Roubaix (France): Artistic video mapping of industrial façades
- Roeselare (Belgium): Thematic slow tourism route
- Tournai (Belgium): Reconnecting a former industrial site through soft mobility
- Galway (Ireland): Revitalising waterways with immersive experiences
- Pirmasens (Germany): Audio-guided heritage trail
Together, these projects will share solutions and best practices, ensuring cooperation remains at the heart of the SLOWTOUR programme.
