From roof-raising gigs at Dolans to baroque theatre at the Belltable, stand-up comedy, classical concerts, film festivals and a hurling league clash, there is something for everyone across Limerick this week. Whether you’re planning a big night out or a relaxed cultural evening, the city is packed with live entertainment from Thursday 19 through to Thursday 26 March. Here’s your full guide to what’s on.
Thursday 19
Serena Terry: Therapy
Creator of Mammy Banter on stand up comedy tour. Over the last 6 months, Serena Terry has tried and tested 22 different types of therapy in a bid to improve her physical and mental health and calm the chaos that comes with being a busy mum on the cusp of turning 40, resulting in some diverse, embarrassing and hilarious outcomes.
Michael Collins – A Musical Drama
From Limerick Musical Society. A gripping and powerful work of a changing period in Ireland’s history, set to music, bringing the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the civil war to life, and also telling a beautiful love story.
Friday 20
Choral Concert: Concealed and Revealed
St Mary’s Cathedral
Limerick Early Music Festival: Featuring music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, and Maddalena Casulana, this annual choral concert brings together multiple local choirs under the direction of Peter Barley.
Jason Byrne
U.M.A.N
U.M.A.N has recorded, performed or written for artists as diverse as Folk Blues Legend Eric Bibb, Brian Kennedy, Finbar Furey, Michael Flatley and Nadine Coyle.
Domino Lite
David Geraghty (BELL X1)
Founding member of Bell X1 who have released nine studio albums to date. Solo projects such as The Vasectomy Doctor won at The Richard Harris International Film Festival, Still Voices Short Film Festival, Offline Film Festival, IFI Stranger Than Fiction Festival and Dingle International Film Festival to name but a few.
Michael Collins – A Musical Drama
The Lockys
Blue Bar, Punches Cross
Saturday 21
Family Event: Harpsichord Diaries
Limerick Early Music Festival: In a special theatrical concert, Elaine Funaro and Eric Love present the live version of their children’s book, “The Harpsichord Diaries”. This hour-long, family-oriented musical journey features Elaine at the harpsichord playing music from five centuries, in conversation with Eric acting over a dozen characters.
Chaconnes, Charades and Chicanery
8pm – This delightful performance of dance, music, and drama offers a peek into the world of Baroque Theatre with its fascination for masquing, disguising and Commedia dell’Arte and explores the use of these conventions to satirise and reflect the timeless foibles of human behaviour. Mary Collins: historical dance specialist; Steven Player: baroque guitar, historical dance specialist with guest musicians: Paulo Alonso (viola), Sarah Groser (viola da gamba), Yonit Kosovske (harpsichord).
Basht.
Basht. is one of Ireland’s most exciting rising indie rock bands, praised by Hot Press as one of the most exciting young rock bands to emerge in Ireland in recent years. Their star began to ascend in 2023, supporting Wunderhorse across the UK and Ireland, sharing stages with Bdrmm and Goo Goo Dolls, and performing at festivals like Electric Picnic, All Together Now, and Mutations. In 2024, Basht. released their debut EP, Dirty White Lies, produced by Thom Lewis (Sam Fender). Following its release, they embarked on a sold-out debut UK and Ireland headline tour.
The Rocket Surgeons
During lockdown, songwriter John Steele wrote and produced two critically acclaimed solo albums. Once restrictions allowed, John set up a band comprised of his old bandmates from Fall Dogs; Ian McNamara on drums and Barry Heaney on guitar, plus Sean Fox on bass from his other band, The Flag Listeners. The band will play a full set of original songs from the forthcoming album, along with older material from Steele’s back catalogue and possibly a choice cover.
Red Fury
Breezer
Blue Bar, Punches Cross
Aslan
With guests Parliament Square. Joe, Alan and Billy have welcomed Lee Tomkins as their new frontman. Lee, a musician, singer and songwriter within his own right, has brought a new energy and feel to the band.
Michael Collins – A Musical Drama
Hit The Town – Irish Open Sprint Orienteering Championships
University of Limerick
Limerick V Galway
TUS Gaelic Grounds
Hurling league match at 7pm.
Leon’s 80s Night
Phil Flannerys, Lower Denmark St.
80s classics from rock to pop and maybe even a slow set.
After Show Party
Dolans Terrace
DJ til late playing alternative and lost classics.
Sunday 22
Festival Finale: Wayfaring Pipers
Limerick Early Music Festival: Drawing on surviving sources and folk traditions that have continued unbroken since medieval times, Ian Harrison and Poul Hoxbro reveal a rich exchange between popular melody and liturgical music, blending classical medieval sounds with inherited folk traditions.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost remain the undisputed kings of metal’s dark side. Formed in Halifax in 1988, the band quickly became noted as the pioneers of gothic metal through their early groundbreaking albums like 1991’s aptly-titled Gothic, a mixture of heaviness intertwined with shadowy melody and atmosphere.
Limerick Classical Concert Series
Sinéad Farrell (Flute), Fiachra Garvey (Piano), Katie Tertell (Cello).
Hit The Town – Irish Open Sprint Orienteering Championships
Merchant’s Quay
The urban event in Limerick City on Sunday 22 is a family-friendly event and will be a unique way for participants of all ages and abilities to discover Merchant’s Quay and the Three Bridges area of Limerick City.
Mrs. Henry
Blue Bar, Punches Cross
The Tavern Sessions
Tavern, Upper William Street
With Limerick singer/songwriters Eoin Ryan, The Caterers & Jake Flynn.
Monday 23
Fresh International Film Festival
1 John’s Square
Celebrating young creative voices – filmmakers aged 7 to 18 shaping the future of cinema. Fresh is a space where young people can grow their skills, share their stories, and be recognised for their talent and hard work.
Screening: Mean Girls
Tuesday 24
Fresh International Film Festival
1 John’s Square
Wednesday 25
Fresh International Film Festival
1 John’s Square
Thursday 26
Twilight Thursdays
City Centre
Cultural events, live entertainment, and late-night business openings.
The Creative Show presents A Night at the Theatre
It is the midnight hour in an empty theatre. But all is not quiet! Theatrical ghosts come to life and recreate their most famous performances as well as the backstage battles that have happened over the past 1000 years.
Shane Daniel Byrne
The award-winning stand-up has become a leading act in Ireland at breakneck speed. Shane is the boy from school who was capable of more, the kid who could always do better. Expect rapid-fire craic and big-hearted feelings in his brand-new show about bellies and bullies.
Fresh International Film Festival
1 John’s Square
Top 8 Street Dance & Hip-hop Fest
Hook & Ladder
Festival Launch & Conversations with Limerick’s Hip Hop & Street Dance pioneers, hosted by State Your Flow.
Treaty Books and Wine March Book Club
Fordes Courtyard, Little Ellen Street
7.30pm – An evening of conversation, connection, and cosy bookish vibes. This month’s pick is Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy.