As March 17 approaches, the Treaty City prepares for one of the most important days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day.
This year promises to be one of the most event-packed St. Patrick’s Days Limerick city has ever seen, with celebrations starting as early as Friday, March 13 in the Milk Market.
Limerick also offers two official parades to commemorate the day, the International Band Parade on Sunday, March 15 and St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday, March 17.
Both will be live streamed for the first time from 12pm on Limerick.ie
Speaking to Live95 News, Limerick City and County Council’s marketing officer for festivals and events Mary Kelly, shared her excitement for the new measure earlier this week.
The marketing officer explained how this new feature will allow those living abroad, as well as people with mobility issues, to have access to the celebrations.
“It’s about accessibility for everyone that they can, regardless of where they are, be it in Ireland, in Limerick or in the world, that they have access to this.”
The iconic Limerick Milk Market is also raising the bar this year, with a four-day programme spread across the weekend and St. Patricks Day itself.
“This is probably the biggest St. Patrick’s program we’ve ever done at the market,” explains Milk Market general manager David Fitzgerald, speaking about the upcoming activity-packed weekend.
“So, we’re starting off on Friday with a paint-your-own-tote-bag art class with Kathy Tiernan, who teaches the art classes at the market, and also operates an art stall.”
“On Saturday, we’ve got a St. Patrick’s cupcake demo class at the market from 10am to 11am, and that’s with Lilac Bakery.
“It’s a day people celebrate their culture and heritage. It’s a day that families get together and do something out of the ordinary”, shares Mr. Fitzgerald.
In addition to the special classes and celebrations, the market will feature a puppeteer show on Saturday morning at 11am, as well as the famous Food Market with 60 stalls and 15 shops for customers to browse.
On Sunday, Limerick’s Milk Market will welcome a St. Patrick’s themed art fair as Mr. Fitzgerald highlights the talent that will be there.
“Twenty five local artists will be demonstrating their artworks on stalls here at the market.
“There will be some live music, there will be a clown orchestra, which is an eight-piece band dressed in clown costumes, from 1:30 pm to 3:30pm,” he reveals.
The big day will be Tuesday, March 17. The market will offer a “full-on family fun day”, with stilt walkers, fire breathers, games and prizes, face painting, and live music by Mickey Dunnes & Friends.
The general manager shares how there is “multiple reasons why you would choose the market” on St. Patrick’s Day.
“You’ve got the roof overhead, which is one the largest of its type in Ireland, to protect you from the famous Irish weather.
“You’ve got some fantastic options to spend some time while the kids are enjoying entertainment, and you can get some food, enjoy some shopping, and it’s all locally based.”
The events can be watched from this link at 12 noon on March 15 and March 17.