Limerick Voice explore whether Limerick’s art scene is afforable for students.
WITH dozens of events taking place throughout November, the challenge for audiences is less about finding something to do and more about deciding how much they’re prepared to spend.
Few cities can match Limerick when it comes to arts and entertainment. Whether it’s a touring theatre production, a live music performance or a comedy show, there is rarely a quiet week on the city’s cultural calendar.
But the biggest eye-opener is yet to come: Garth Brooks’ 2027 Irish tour.
The country star tours Ireland from May 21 to June 19, including two concerts at Limerick’s TUS Gaelic Grounds on June 11 and 12. Tickets go on sale live this Thursday, November 12, at 8am. While fans glue themselves to their phones and laptops to book a slot, students are once again left stranded.
Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions confirmed that tickets for the Limerick gigs and across Ireland will cost €136.25 for standing and €156.25 for seated.
Students thoughts on prices
For students like Leah, who studies in Limerick, the gap between what a night out should cost and what it does cost is hard to miss. “For a big band, I suppose you’d be starting maybe €50 or €60,” she said, adding that paying more than that is not fair. Her expectations for smaller acts are lower still: “for more local bands, €15 or €20 for tickets.”
However, the ticket price is only the start of the bill. With the concert at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road, simply getting to the venue and back from the university can be a hefty expense, with cabs charging anywhere between €21 and €31 one way.
Students still have to find somewhere to eat, and food around the venue on the night is bound to be pricey. Many will also want a new outfit for the occasion. Add it all up and a standard ticket of around €130 quickly climbs by at least €40 to €50 more.
For students living on a tight budget, that is not a sum they can easily justify, and it shows how far live entertainment has drifted out of reach.
What’s on in the theatre this month?
Limerick is on the map again, with many theatrre productions right around the corner. Yet, in a city that is packed with students, the real question is whether they can afford to be in the audience. A quick look at what’s down the line for Limerick this November shows how quickly the costs add up.
For those who enjoy a good theatrical experience, the Lime Tree Theatre offers plenty of options: ’The Ferryman‘, presented by College Players. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning drama by Jez Butterworth runs until November 12, with standard tickets at €27 and concession tickets at €23. As students, the concession tickets come in handy.
Then, from November 18-21, one can witness the popular play, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, presented by Cecilian Musical Society, with ticket prices going as high as €30 for standard tickets and €28 for concession tickets.
On November 27, the Lime Tree Theatre is staging ’Romeo and Juliet‘, presented by Ballet Ireland. The popular take on Shakespeare’s tale is priced at €32 for standard tickets and €27 for concession.
For those who lean towards comedy, Dolan’s is hosting one of the city’s most unusual nights out: the ’Faulty Towers Dining Experience‘. Inspired by the 1970s BBC sitcom, it is an interactive, improvised dinner in which actors play the show’s characters. But at an astounding €60 a ticket, it makes you wonder whether any student would swap a week’s groceries for a night of laughs.
For those who like to immerse themselves in music, you can witness Hans Zimmer’s music reimagined at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, performed live by a string quartet (Glas String Quartet) from November 13-19. With Zimmer’s popular tunes from award-winning motion pictures like ‘Interstellar’, ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean Suite’ from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, and more, all at the cost of €26.50 for basic tickets going up to a whopping €54.50; it make you wonder if students would even consider going to these events.
But this month’s listings tell a different story. Even concession tickets at the Lime Tree Theatre run from €23 to €28, Hans Zimmer’s music at Saint Mary’s Cathedral starts at €26.50, and a night at Faulty Towers costs €60.