Maytime is music time in city

AS part of the May Music in The Park series that Limerick City Council is hosting, the city will reverberate with the harmonious sounds of local bands, musicians and singers who will perform lunchtime concerts in all of the city’s leafy parks. Now that the Riverfest celebrations passed off with great success, focus moves to a series of musical treats in the city’s parks.

On Saturday, May 8 The People’s Park will host a traditional music concert with musicians from the Irish World Academy while Sammy Benson’s Limerick City Brass and Reed Band will entertain in Arthur’s Quay Park.

On Saturday, May 15th it’s the turn of the Cantette Choir and Limerick Youth Choir in the People’s Park with Limerick’s Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band playing in Arthur’s Quay Park.

All concerts are free and take place between 1.30pm-3pm.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely said he hopes that Limerick families, shoppers and business users will use the opportunity to have a picnic, listen to some great music and enjoy the city’s parks as a recreation area.

“There has been a long tradition of music in Limerick City Council’s parks and I’m delighted to see that it is now being revived,” said the mayor, who added:

“Our arts and environment departments are working together to promote our parks as a wonderful city asset and both the People’s Park and Arthur’s Quay parks are ideal for somewhere to relax, bring the family and listen to some of Limerick’s most talented musicians.”

The People’s Park, in Pery Square, is the city’s principal park and the only one in Ireland to hold a prestigious Green Flag.

It was formally opened in 1877, in memory of Richard Russell, a prominent local businessman. Items of interest in the park include the recently restored Drinking Fountain, provided by employees of Russell Flour Mills, the former Carnegie Library, built on park ground, and now the City Art Gallery and a children’s playground. There is also a remembrance plaque in memory of Thomas Spring Rice, MP for the city 1820-1832, a Band Stand erected by the Corporation of Limerick in 1895 and two park shelters.

The park is also home to a large selection of mature, deciduous and evergreen trees such as, Ash, Beech, Birch, Elm, False Acacia, Flowering Cherry, Flowering Crab, Hawthorn, Holly, Hornbeam, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Maple, Mountain Ash, Oak, Ornamental Pear, Plane, Poplar, Walnut, Whitebeam and Willow plus, of course, a wonderful display of flowers during the summer months. All are welcome to the free concerts.