LIMERICK people at home and abroad are being invited to ‘tune in to take part’ in this year’s virtual Limerick St Patrick’s Festival which will feature some world class musicians and a host of online events.
Limerick City and County Council, with the support of Fáilte Ireland, has created a programme of online events that will be broadcast on Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival and the Limerick St Patrick’s Festival social media platform.
The headline event ‘Wild Atlantic Edge’ is a programme of music, conversations and songs from Limerick City presented in partnership with Dolans Warehouse.
The virtual musical celebration from the Limerick gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way will feature some of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians including Sharon Shannon, Hermitage Green, MuRli, Emma Langford and a host of special guests.
Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens will be the star attraction of the virtual ‘St Patrick’s Day Fling’ in collaboration with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University Concert Hall (UCH) and UL Global.
Limerick’s young musicians will also be showcasing their talents from the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s Sing Out with Strings and the Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and Music Generation Limerick City.
This year’s event will also host family workshops from Limerick’s Lumen Street Theatre and the Hunt Museum and retrospectives on Limerick St Patrick’s Day Parades and International Band Championships gone by.
There will be an aerial performance by Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre from the stunning backdrop of King John’s Castle.
Fáilte Ireland has provided funding to support the greening of locations across the city and county, marketing content creation, web development and the festival’s long term development plans.
Mayor Michael Collins said it was now more important than ever to keep Limerick in the forefront of people’s minds.”
“By using technology and creating online content, we are putting our creatives and musicians at the heart of the programme, helping them do what they do best – create and inspire us while spreading happiness and joy.”
Culture and Arts Officer Dr Pippa Little said the online programme would celebrate Limerick, its artists, buildings and history.
“Families can tune in and take part at the kitchen table in making St Patrick’s themed costumes, including a magnificent snake headdress, with Lumen Street Theatre and applique badges with the Hunt Museum,” she explained.
Limerick Metropolitan District Cathaoirleach Sarah Kiely added: “This year we have an amazing line up for Limerick St Patrick’s Festival with big names for online concerts here in Limerick.”
“This keeps Limerick St Patrick’s Festival in the limelight too especially for our International Band Championship which draws people from all over the world.
“It has to be a priority to keep the connection alive and maintain relationships with our diaspora and ensure next year we get them back here in Limerick. It is worth so much in terms of the economy and employment in the region.”
Keep up to date with the festival line-up on Limerick.ie/StPatricksFestival.
