The 19th Riverfest Limerick Festival drew massive crowds of people into Limerick City across the May bank holiday weekend. A rising tide truly lifts all boats with bars, restaurants and hotels all benefitting from the tens of thousands of extra people in the city across the four days.
Gardai estimate over 140,000 visitors descended on the Treaty City with a Garda spokesperson noting it was “far busier than last year.”
Fair weather was a factor as families and festival fans enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display, stunning stunts on the River Shannon, a sizzling BBQ and live music at King John’s Castle.
The Fly Boarding stunt performers proved a huge hit with young and old alike. Other water-based activities included swimmable Limerick, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and Dragonboating.
An Irish Defence Forces transport helicopter touched down at Merchants Quay to the surprise and delight of hundreds of people.
Kids had their fun too with a sold out Slime Lab and a popular scavenger hunt across the city for little explorers to enjoy.
Over 60,000 people soaked up the atmosphere a the Riverfestival Village at Arthurs Quay Park with live music, good food and vintage amusements.
The Panoramic Wheel and this year’s addition of the Freedrop into an airbag were ideal attractions for those with a head for heights.
Fashion Friday with Limerick’s style icon Celia Holman Lee helped to kick the festival off in style. Over a thousand people gathered for the Rogu ‘Firestorm’ fire display later on Friday evening.
The BBQ on the boardwalk fed the masses on Saturday as companies and charities from across Limerick and the Mid-West served up mouthwatering fare to thousands of visitors to Howley’s Quay.
Although there was disappointment for Limerick Hurling fans on Saturday night the crowd of over thirty-thousand at TUS Gaelic Grounds helped to swell the numbers in the city across the day and night.
Riverfest was also the ideal accompaniment to the Regeneron Great Limerick Run with many of its thirteen-thousand-plus participants, and their supporters, enjoying after-race parties on Sunday evening.
Hermitage Green lit up Kings John’s Castle before the Riverfest Fireworks Spectacular illuminated the night sky on Sunday, watched live by tens of thousands of people who streamed into the city for the display.
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Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Francis Foley said: “There was an incredible atmosphere in Limerick across the weekend. The good weather helped to draw in the crowds and there was so much going on it was difficult to take it all in. It is great to see people from far and wide embracing Riverfest making Limerick city the place to be on every May bank holiday weekend. I look forward to an even bigger and better festival for the 20th annual festival next year.”
Eileen Coleman, Senior Executive Officer, Tourism, Limerick City and County Council said: “We are delighted with the success of Riverfest 2023 in Limerick. It was great to see huge crowds of people enjoying the weekend activities and exploring what Limerick has to offer. The water activities were particularly popular and entertaining and the culmination on Sunday night, of the spectacular fireworks display was the perfect ending to a successful weekend.”
Donn O’Sullivan, Head of Marketing and Communications, Limerick City and County Council said: “The Riverfest weekend officially kicks off Summer in Limerick. It also reconfirmed that the May Bank Holiday weekend “belongs” to Limerick. From fly boarders, to an army helicopter, from the festival village to the big wheel, Limerick was abuzz with activity overlooking our historic River Shannon. The festival is growing every year and the numbers attending concerts, matches and the Great Limerick Run, confirmed that the Bank Holiday weekend is one to circle in the 2024 calendar already. Thanks to all the team at Limerick City and County Council, Grooveyard, the Gardai and all our stakeholders and event organisers for making Riverfest 2023 a roaring success.”
Riverfest Limerick 2023 is run on behalf of Limerick City and County Council by Grooveyard Event Management.
Festival partners include Maldron Hotel Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre and Mr Binman, along with media sponsors Live95, Limerick Leader, Limerick Post, Spin SouthWest, Limerick Leader and I Love Limerick.
