As the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival weekend draws near, now is a good time to start planning to make the most of the festivities. The festival offers fun events and activities for all ages featuring live music, street shows, festival foods and more.
A comprehensive guide to the weekend is available at Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival.
Here are eight ways to enjoy Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival weekend for free.
1. Shamrock Street Shows and Music
Let’s rock into this Limerick St. Patrick's Festival weekend with on-street music, dancing and exciting live acts! Saturday 16 March offers an afternoon of crowd-pleasing performances and traditional music right in the heart of Limerick City. From acrobats and stilt walkers to jugglers and circus acts, come see the wacky walkabout performers as they run amok, raising smiles on Bedford Row!
You won’t be able to resist the toe-tapping tunes on Thomas Street where “The Green Stage” will be ready for some local talented musicians to entertain, with a mix of modern and traditional music....discover more.
2. Limerick St. Patrick’s Day Parades
Join the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and cheer on the stunning displays of community, culture, and of course, the craic that makes Limerick’s energy so unique! This year’s Limerick City parade will see visual artists Buí Bolg join Lumen Street Theatre, Limerick Youth Dance Company and hundreds of local participants take to Limerick city’s streets! BT Young Scientist and Exhibition Winner 2024, Seán O’Sullivan is the parade Grand Marshal.
Communities across Limerick will also embrace the celebrations as St. Patrick’s Day festivities line the streets in towns and villages throughout the County. Confirmed parade locations include Abbeyfeale, Adare, Askeaton, Ballylanders, Bruff, Castleconnell, Kilfinane, Kilmallock, Mountcollins, Castlemahon, Broadford and Rathkeale. Newcastle West is getting a jump start with their St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place on Saturday, 16 March.
3. Pre Parade and Post Parade Entertainment
The Hit Machine Drummers will warm up the gathering crowds with performances along the Limerick City parade route ahead of the main event.
After the parade why not march yourself down to Thomas Street to enjoy a dazzling dance spectacle. Mirror Dancers from XOD will excite and entertain with their modern and energetic dance performance.
4. 52nd International Band Championship
Now in its 52nd year, the Limerick International Band Championship guarantees a display of riveting performances with over 1,600 talented homegrown and international musicians from across Europe and America!
Get ready to cheer on the bands as only Limerick supporters can on Monday 18 March, culminating in a free concert in Arthur’s Quay Park as you wait for the overall winners to be announced. This is unique to Limerick as it is Ireland’s only International Band Championship....discover more.
5. Exhibition: Pagan Ireland and Saint Patrick
From March 14 to April 15 explore the customs and beliefs that existed in Ireland prior to the arrival of Saint Patrick in the fifth century. Featuring Bronze Age and Iron Age artefacts this exhibition also considers how St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in Limerick in times gone by. The display will be complemented by colourful artwork created by local schoolchildren....discover more.
6. Festival Foods at the Limerick Milk Market
Soak up the atmosphere and discover the best of local, fresh produce at Limerick Milk Market – a local haven for foodies this Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival weekend.
As always, entry is free, but it will take major willpower not to be tempted by the inviting aromas and indulge in some of the tantalising treats on offer! The famous food market will run from Friday to Sunday hosting a mix of refreshments, live music, vintage finds and ending with an Art Fair!
7. Choral Concert to kick-start Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival
Join renowned visiting choir Schola Cantorum from the University of Richmond in Virginia, USA and the local, award winning County Limerick Youth Choir for a choral musical offering! Conductors Jeffrey Riehl and Máire Keary-Scanlon will lead the musical offerings with guest tenor soloist Tablo Talamente and Accompanists Mary Beth Bennett and Eoin Scanlon.
This Choral Concert takes place in the tranquil setting of Limerick’s St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday 16 March.
8. St. Patrick’s Weekend Entertainment at Crescent Shopping Centre
Join in the jigs and reels at the Crescent Shopping Centre this Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival weekend with live music and family friendly entertainment. From Friday 15 to Saturday 16 March, the Shopping Centre will come to life with Live Music by Electric Violinist Aoife Kelly with DJ Eoghan Fitz from Spin South West, kid’s entertainers, a kids disco and not to mention ‘Lucky the Leprechaun!’ Pop over to enjoy the fun while you shop.
For more free Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival Fun see here!
Grooveyard is producing this year’s Limerick St Patrick’s Festival on behalf of Limerick City and County Council along with partners Analog Devices, Mr. Binman, Maldron Hotel, Crescent Shopping Centre and Fáilte Ireland.
Media Sponsors are Limerick Leader, Live 95, Limerick Post and Spin South West.
A special digital guide has been created outlining the events taking place for Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival. It is available on Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival.
For the most up-to-date details, check out Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival and Limerick St Patrick’s Festival social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X).
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