AS wild animals roamed the plains of the Gaelic Grounds last Saturday for the National Geographic ‘Symphony for Our World’ concert, Mayor James Collins already had his eye fixed on superstar singer Ed Sheeran.
A refundable loan of €150,000 was given by Limerick City and County Council to the Gaelic Grounds, on behalf of Limerick GAA, to facilitate the staging of the National Geographic concert last weekend.
Mayor Collins described the funding used to make this successful event happen as “money well spent” and now wants to see a concert strategy using this as a funding model for other major events in Limerick.
Around 8,000 people attended the European premiere of ‘Symphony for Our World’, the first major concert at the Gaelic Grounds since the homecoming for the Limerick hurlers after winning the All-Ireland.
“In May this year, I called for the establishment of a concert task force in Limerick after the city was ignored by Ed Sheeran in a nationwide tour that took in Cork, Galway, Dublin and Belfast. I said then that we were missing out on €20m a year in revenue,” Mayor Collins commented.
“The National Geographic Symphony for Our World event in the Gaelic Grounds was a huge success — a triumph which proves the city can host major concerts and events. Anyone who was in the Gaelic Grounds for last weekend’s event came away energised by the magic of a live event of such magnitude being hosted so successfully in our city.
“Not only was it worth several million in revenues to the local region, it was also an important statement about where this city stands on culture, on the environment, and on business. We have the world’s best hotel in Limerick. We have a beautiful, historic, riverside city with venues capable of catering for concerts of all sizes, from King John’s Castle to Thomond Park and the Gaelic Grounds.
“We should never again be ignored by stars of Ed Sheeran’s magnitude. Limerick’s message to Ed Sheeran and the entertainment industry is Limerick is ready for you. Look at the National Geographic concert or the All-Ireland homecoming and see just how well we organise large events in Limerick,” he concluded.
