Limerick City and County Council is encouraging you to get out and about and discover your city this May Bank Holiday. While the May Bank Holiday Weekend is synonymous with Riverfest, it is not possible to host the event this year due to Covid.
So instead the Council in partnership with Draw Out, Ormston House and OpenHouse Limerick, have created three distinct cultural trails that you can enjoy this weekend and throughout the summer, in a safe manner in accordance with Covid-19 restrictions.
The cultural trails celebrate our Street Art, Women of Limerick and our architectural heritage while taking you on an open air walking tour around the City Centre and along the beautiful River Shannon.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins said: “We’ve all had to change and adapt how we mark different events since Covid and the May Bank Holiday weekend is no different.”
“These three new cultural trails are a great way that families can explore and re-discover the city in a safe, fun and responsible way and I’m looking forward to enjoying the cultural trails myself.”
Dr Pippa Little, Culture and Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: “This year, to mark the May Bank Holiday weekend, we are delighted to work in partnership with three of Limerick’s cultural organisations, Draw Out, Ormston House and OpenHouse Limerick, to bring cultural trails which explore Limerick through the themes of Street Art, forgotten Limerick women from Limerick’s past and architecture. All three cultural trails celebrate Limerick’s rich and vibrant culture.”
Details of all three trails are available on Limerick.ie/Riverfest.
Limerick Street Art Trail
Limerick’s Street Art Trail encompasses 12 vibrant and evocative pieces creating an eclectic and engaging collection of urban art throughout Limerick City.
Working in partnership with urban artists Draw Out, this new cultural trail showcases some of Limerick’s best Street Art by nationally and internationally recognised artists in a self-guided walking trail available for people to enjoy at their leisure.
This easy-to-read illustrated map brings you on a tour of Limerick City’s abundant collection of international artworks, taking you from main streets to quaint Limerick lanes.
From Dodo Reddan’s tribute, near Mulgrave Street to the Dolores O’Riordan installation next to King John’s Castle, you can zigzag your way through the city, stopping off for a take away coffee or food at one of the many cafés currently offering a take away service along the way.
Limerick’s Street Art is fun and vibrant and the Limerick Street Art Trail conveys our culture and creativity with many edgy urban art installations sitting side by side with some of Limerick’s most celebrated historic buildings.
Shannon River Treasure Trail
Calling all young explorers! Why not explore Limerick City with the OpenHouse Limerick’s Riverside Treasure Trail.
This trail starts at King John's Castle and follows the flow of the River Shannon through the city to Howley's Quay, with a variety of fun questions and activities to complete along the way.
There are two different sets of questions following the same route. The Junior Trail is aimed at 4-8 year olds and the Senior Trail at 8-12 year olds, with some help from a parent or guardian likely to be required along the way.
Be sure to read all of the directions and questions carefully, take care while crossing any roads, and be mindful of social distancing.
Women of Limerick App
A special Riverfest update for the Women of Limerick app is brought to you by Ormston House in partnership with Limerick City and County Council.
Historian and National Heritage Hero, Sharon Slater will introduce five new women along the city’s Three Bridges Walk.
From 30 April 2021, you can read and listen to stories of Molly Clancy, Phoebe Cleeve, Madge Daly, Kate O’Callaghan, and Maude Kearney, and their contributions to Limerick life – from the aftermath of the Curfew Murders to the founding of Cumann na mBan, and from the Shamrock League which operated out of the milk factory to the famous Limerick Lace industry.
The Women of Limerick app acknowledges women’s contributions to arts, education, health and politics, locally, nationally and internationally.
The app is available to download for free onto Android and Apple devices: to plan walking routes through the city, or to engage with Limerick’s cultural heritage at your fingertips. At each location on the map, you can read a short biography of each woman and listen to a story about her life.
For more information visit Limerick.ie/Riverfest.