Home > Event Guide > Limerick Event Guide
Limerick Event Guide
We have listed all the major festivals and events for the Limerick Region in 2008. Our Limerick hotels are the ideal starting point from which attend any of the Limerick Events listed below. Both the Two Mile Inn and Patrick Punches Hotels offer exceptional facilites for budget accommodation in Limerick.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
July
MBNA Shannon International Music Festival 2008 | 9th – 13th July 2008
Artistic Director and violinist Anthony Marwood introduces a strong South American flavour to this year’s MBNA Shannon International Music Festival with the Irish Chamber Orchestra fusing salsa, jazz, baroque, latin and much more.
The MBNA Shannon International Music Festival is now regarded as one of Ireland’s leading music festivals and one of the main summer arts events in the mid-west. It's a national and international platform not only for the Irish Chamber Orchestra, but also for world-renowned artists and young Irish talent.
www.irishchamberorchestra.com
Limericks 'Pig'n'Porter' Tag Rugby Festival | 12th July 2008
The Festival which takes place at the Old Cresent Rugby Grounds in Limerick is a family day out with Tag rugby teams from all over Ireland battling it out in a blitz of rugby games. The event is the biggest one-day Tag Rugby blitz in Ireland and attracts huge attendances and is followed by evening entertainment and a barbeque for all the family.
www.pignporter.com
Summer Nights at King Johns Castle | 11th July 2008
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
This year the Chapterhouse Theatre Company intends to enthrall and entertain Irish audiences with their open air rendition of 'King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table' at King John’s Castle.
Their open air style of theatre is the ideal way to pass a lazy summer’s evening with family or friends. As part of a truly memorable experience the audience are encouraged to bring their own picnic, complete with chairs, or picnic blankets. The castle will be open at 6.45pm on the night for picnics.
http://www.shannonheritage.com/SpecialEvents/SummerNightsatKingJohnsCastle/#d.en.4824
Followers of Fashion — Painting Exhibition | 5th June - 31 August 2008
The “Followers of Fashion — Painting Exhibition”, comprises 15 paintings which illustrate the development of fashionable dress from the Empire-line style of the early 1800s, through Victorian and Edwardian modes and wartime fashions, to those of the 1950s and 1960s. Paintings by several Irish artists will be on view, including John Lavery, Sean O’Sullivan, Leo Whelan and Dermod O’Brien as well as works by less familiar European artists. The paintings have been selected from the National Gallery of Ireland’s permanent collection.
‘Summer Sundays’ – Horse Racing | 6th July 2008
Limerick racecourse’s picturesque location is the ideal setting for this July’s Bulmer’s Summer Sunday. The day provides competitive racing with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The €28,000 Summer Sundays Novice Hurdle is the feature event on this high quality, National Hunt race card
Daniel O’Donnell | 15th - 16th July 2008
Some would say that with each album, Daniel O'Donnell just gets better and better, and he certainly gets more popular. Accolades, acclaim and success, these are some of the constants that make up his amazing life. As each year passes, further achievements come his way, with more successful concert tours, more chart records and more television appearances. Don't wait another year to see this singing legend! See him at University Concert Hall with very special guest, Mary Duff!
Wolfe Tones | 16th July 2008
The Wolfe Tones have been cheered and applauded wherever they have stopped to put on a show - whether it has been in the parlour of the Old Shieling Hotel in Dublin, the austere Royal Albert Hall in London or at open air folk festivals throughout Europe. Now the Wolfe Tones are back in Limerick for one night only! Following their last hugely successful concert at the venue, the band will once again be performing all their greatest hits live!
August
The Limerick Show | 23rd - 24th August 2008
Limeriick Show incorporates a varied and entertaining programme in its two-day week-end formula. This ranges from the best of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Show Jumping, Crafts and Horticulture. Machinery, old and new, Outdoor and Indoor Trade Stands, Exhibitions, Children’s and Adult’s Entertainment, Stock Judging, a Dog Show and a Driving Class, together with the ever popular All-Ireland Final of the Inter Hunt Chase.
Beast of Ballyhoura | 1st – 3rd August
An exclusive race run continuously run over 22 to 28 hours for mixed teams of four. Teams will travel along a course that runs along the Ballyhoura purpose built mountain bike trails, through the Galtee Mountains and down magical forgotten rivers flanked by castles.
This race will also be part of the 3rd annual Inter-Services Challenge. Teams from the various services will compete with the civilians.
Entry fee of €100 per person includes use of kayaks, after race party, very very special prizes and camping in the Castle.
Kilmallock Medieval Festival | 29th – 31st August 2008
A three day event featuring concerts, medieval market, medieval re-enactment and a medieval fun day.
Kilmallock will host one of Ireland’s largest multi-period battle re-enactment events from August 22nd to August 24th 2008. The various groups will re-enact battles from Roman, Norman and Medieval times. Re-enactment groups will travel from all over Ireland, the UK and Europe to provide colourful spectacle.
www.kilmallockmedievalfestival.com
Summer Music on the Shannon 2008 | 5th - 19th August 2008
Events include:
Mozart Plus In The Georgian House - Tuesday 5th August @ 8pm - The Georgian House, Pery Square
Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 - Friday 8th August @ 8pm - UCH
SMS Family Prom - Saturday 9th August @ 2pm - UCH
Introducing Carl Davis - Tuesday 12th August @ 8pm - St. Mary's Cathedral
Music by Davis & Mozart followed by the Renaissance of the Great Silent Films - Charlie Chaplin & Carl Davis, "combining pure genius with superb artistry"
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture - Saturday 16th August @ 2pm - UCH
BARNEY Live! | 22nd August 2008
It's always nice to share your toys - but in a rush to share their favourite toys with the audience, Barney's friends BJ, Riff and Baby Bob accidentally break their toys. As always, Barney finds the bright lining behind the dark cloud - he'll take the little dinos, and the audience, to a marvellous, magical toy factory where the toys an be repaired by the Imagination Machine - a fantastic device powered by children's imagination!
September
The Burren Shoreline’ Exhibition | 11th to 25th September 2008
An exhibition featuring works by Denise Ryan, a Limerick artist who is based in Clare. All works are for sale.
Christy Moore | 26th Septmber 2008
University Concert Hall is delighted to welcome back iconic performer Christy Moore, with Declan Sinnott, following his two sell-out performances at the venue in 2006. Christy's album and DVD "Live at teh Point 2006" are the fruit of collaboration with his good friend, Declan Sinnott. Declan, a gifted musician and record producer in his own right, began his association with Christy when they were founding members of pioneering and innovative band, Moving Hearts and he will join Christy for this concert at UCH.
Waiting for Godot | 19th September 2008
In September and October of this year, the Gate Theatre will embark on its first ever all Ireland (32 County) tour. As part of the theatre’s 80th anniversary celebrations, the Gate’s acclaimed production of Waiting for Godot will tour to 40 venues across the 32 counties of Ireland, playing for one night only in each venue. The tour, which will also mark the 20th anniversary of this now legendary production, will star the original cast members including Stephen Brennan, Barry McGovern, Johnny Murphy and Alan Stanford.
October
Blaise Smith | 3rd - 23rd October
An exhibition of works by realist painter Blaise Smith of guns, tanks and shells painted over the last four years in Irish Army Barracks. The artist will also exhibit a series of landscapes and still life paintings in the Museum restaurant. In association with the Molesworth Gallery. All works are for sale.
November
Carmen | 7th November 2008
Carmen in a Bull Ring comes to University Concert Hall with a touch of the Colosseum of Rome!
Carmen as you have never seen it before is restaged in a bullring for a new spectacular twist to Bizet's famous and seductive opera.
The theatre will be transformed into a Spanish spectacular reminiscent of the real bullrings in Spain with bull fighters and a brass band parading through the venue into the Seville bullring to start this must see performance! Carmen guest stars international flamenco dancer Sam Quy, as seen at the Royal Opera House, accompanied by the well known Spanish guitarno singer Fernando de Sevilla
www.uch.ie
Limerick City Gallery of Art Autumn Season | Oct 3rd - Nov 23rd, 2008
Limerick City Gallery of Art presents Simon Starling the first exhibition of the Turner Prize-winner’s work in Ireland. The exhibition will show existing work together with a newly commissioned site specific work which is currently in development. Starling process involves the breaking down of specific histories which he re-uses and reconstructs through his evolving transformation of objects.
It’s Good to Be Back is a major solo exhibition at the Gallery by artist Michael McLoughlin. The exhibition is currently evolving from interaction with the local community, including the artists participation in bingo events; both in Limerick and in his own locality in Dublin. McLoughlin presents a series of light and sound based installation pieces, which represent his own efforts to document and make tangible the movement of people.
www.limerick.ie/LCGA/
The Miami Showband | 15th Nov, 2008
No other band has the history of the Miami Showband. During the '60s and '70s, hundreds of thousands of adoring fans packed the dance halls and concert venues throughout Ireland. The band more than any other embodied the music and style of the era.
Fate intervened in 1975, "the day the music died", and the band became written into music and social folklore. A reunion concert in 2005 to a capacity audience in Vicar Street, Dublin created a clamour for more and three years later the original Miami members Steve Travers, Des Lee and Ray Miller are joined by Gerry Brown, Barry Woods and Johnny Fean. The legend lives on! The Miami support the work of Children in Crossfired. www.childrenincrossfire.org.
www.uch.ie
An Evening with Brendan And Declan Murphy from The Four Of Us | 7th Nov, 2008
Formed in Newry in the late 1980s by brothers Brendan, Declan and Paul Murphy, The 4 Of Us appeared out of nowhere with the huge radio hit "Mary" taken from their debut album Songs For the Tempted in 1989, which helped them sweep the boards at the following year's Hot Press awards. The slick commercial gloss of Mary belied the fact that it was a grim little snapshot of a deeply flawed relationship. The gimlet-eyed observations of Brendan Murphy's lyrics demonstrated that this was a band who were always going to do it their own way.On November 7th, Brendan and Declan will play their set in Dolan’s in Limerick. Tickets are selling fast.
www.dolanspub.com
December
Swan Lake | 18th Dec, 2008
Ballet Ireland first mounted Swan Lake in Spring 2001 and are delighted to be remounting it to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary. Described by Carolyn Swift in the Irish Times as "a landmark for Ballet Ireland and for Irish Ballet" and in The Sunday Business Post, "Don't miss it - it will knock the socks off everyone", this production is stunning and timeless.
www.uch.ie
Limerick’s Holiday on Ice | 15th Dec, 2008 - 6th Jan, 2009
Limerick's - "Holiday on Ice"" will be open during the month of December, excluding Christmas Day. The Rink, which will be located at the Potato Market opposite the Courthouse and St. Mary's Cathedral. The Rink will be open from 10am in the morning to 10pm at night. An Ice Skating session will last 50 minutes and patrons are strongly advised to book in advance for their selected time slot. Tickets are competitively priced. www.irelandonice.com
Past Gazing Future Glazing - The Ceramic World of Peter Meanley | 31st Oct - 31st Dec, 2008
Peter Meanley is Northern Ireland’s foremost ceramic vessel maker. The exhibition comprises approximately 100 pieces including 16 vessels from the collection of The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
Exhibtion in association with The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
www.huntmuseum.com
Damien Dempsey | 3rd Dec, 2008
The acclaimed Irish singer returns to Limerick to promote his new album The Rocky Road, which marks a departure for this critically acclaimed, No. 1 selling singer and songwriter. The album includes collaborations with his heroes John Sheahan and Barney McKenna of The Dubliners, and Sharon Shannon. The album comprises new arrangements of many well-loved and familiar songs including The Rocky Road to Dublin, The Foggy Dew, The Hot Asphalt, and Ewan MacColl’s Schooldays Over and Shane MacGowan’s Rainy Night in Soho.
www.dolanspub.com/
Free Event Listing
Advertise your Limerick, Galway or Ennis event in our DG Hotels event guide for FREE!
The DG Hotels website is visited by thousands of visitors each month. With budget hotels located across the west of Ireland, our patrons are always looking to see what the west coast has to offer. So why not advertise your event on our website? Just send details to us of the event you wish to publicise and we will take care of the rest. Email your event details to - DG Hotels Event Guide
In return we would greatly appreciate it if you could place a link to DG Hotels on your event website!!