THE inaugural Tailteann Nua Festival took place in the University of Limerick over the bank holiday weekend. Hailed as a great success by all who attended the festival, which was organised as part of The Gathering with the support of Fáilte Ireland, it attracted visitors from home and far and wide.
The official opening of the festival took place in the Pavilion Club with special guest Mary Kennedy from RTE’s Nationwide and the event was officially opened by Prof Paul McCutcheon, vice president academic and registrar University of Limerick. Mary interviewed many of the contributors to the Tailteann Nua Festival who had travelled from all over the world for the festival.
Highlights of the unique festival included set dancing workshops, literary workshops and céilis and a performance by Hermitage Green on the courtyard stage at The Stables to mention but a few.
Mayor Kathleen Leddin was on hand to launch ‘The Curious Story of the Limericks’ by Dr Matthew Potter on Saturday 3 afternoon in the Pavilion Club and later that evening a cheque for €1000 for winning the Limerick competition was presented to Christina Robinson, from the UK and based in Teeside, who is a writer and spoken word/ performance artist.
On Sunday lots of families visited the campus for the Family Fun Day which included storytelling with Niall de Burca, open top bus tours of the magnificent campus, walking tours and of course, fun with Giggles Entertainment. Later that night the mighty Kilfenora Céili Band wrapped up the fantastic event with a Céili Mór, a perfect end to a perfect celebration of Irish culture at the University of Limerick campus for visitors from home and abroad.
