St. Patrick’s Festival returns to the streets of Limerick

  • St Patricks Day Parade (Pic Sean Curtin 810x456)
Aidan Valdez, Texas USA at the Limerick Saint Patrick's Day Parade. (Pic Sean Curtin)

The fun and craic associated with the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival makes a welcome return to the city streets following a COVID-enforced absence of two years. The Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival will include the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday 17 March and the Limerick International Band Championship taking place this year on Sunday 20 March.

In addition, the 38 metre panoramic wheel is due to return to Limerick for the festival, with other events taking place around Limerick as we celebrate our national day.

Outline planning for the festival has been taking place behind the scenes since before Christmas, however it has only begun to ramp up now following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions announced by the government on Friday last (21 Jan 2022).

This year’s theme is Belonging and Identity, ideas which many people have been thinking about and discussing throughout the two years of enforced restrictions.

Belonging can be as part of Limerick, a community, group or sports club. How does belonging shape our identity, how we see ourselves are some of the questions posed. These are all ideas that can be developed as we look for a wave of creativity and colour along the streets of Limerick for the parade.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Irish Free State and the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the EEC (now the European Union).

The 50th edition of the International Band Champion will see the streets of Limerick filled with the spectacular sight and sound of talented marching band musicians from across Ireland, Europe and America for Ireland’s only International Band Championship. Cheer on the bands as they march through the city competing to be crowned International Band Champions!

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “We’ve had a long two years to wait for the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival, so let’s ensure it is the brightest and most creative one to date. We all deserve to enjoy ourselves after all the sacrifices we have made due to COVID-19, so with the extra bank holiday, let’s make Limerick party-central this St. Patrick’s Day.

“I know time is short to get involved, but let’s show our creativity and our innovation as we embrace the theme of 'Belonging and Identity' and show what we are really like.”

Pippa Little, Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: “This Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival will bring colour, music and street theatre to Limerick. It offers us all an opportunity to participate, to enjoy the creativity that Limerick has to offer, a moment of celebration and a means of forging our collective Belonging and Identity.”

Other events on the fringe of the parade and band championship will be announced in the coming weeks.

Grooveyard is producing this year’s Limerick S.t Patrick’s Festival on behalf of Limerick City and County Council with Aidan Phelan as creative producer.

For more information on taking part, please contact Festivals & Events in Limerick City and County Council festivalsandevents@limerick.ie or 061 556308.

More details will be available in the coming weeks on Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival and on Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival social media: Facebook  I  Instagram  I  Twitter.