The Limerick St Patrick’s Day festival is a showcase for the best that Limerick has to offer with the 40th International Band Parade, the huge St Patrick’s Day parade and the National Lottery Skyfest all taking place in the city.
The National Lottery Skyfest is part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations. This is the third year the event has been staged outside of Dublin and Limerick has been chosen this year to host this exciting event as part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations.
Here’s a look at what to expect this year.
Saturday March 13th
Skyfest
From 6pm, City Quays
The festivities kick off on Saturday March 13th when the National Lottery Skyfest will light up the skies over Limerick with King John’s Castle providing a stunning backdrop to this year’s breathtaking fireworks display.
Pre-show activity, provided by Shannon Development kicks off from 6pm and includes live bands, fire jugglers, face painters and much more. Street Performance group Arcana will also perform for the crowds in the lead up to the main spectical.
Skyfest is part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations. This is the third year the event has been staged outside of Dublin and Limerick has been chosen this year to host this exciting event as part of the National St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations.
The fireworks begin from 7.00pm and RTE will carry the event live on T.V. Best viewing locations will be Clancy’s Strand, O’Callaghan Strand, Howley’s Quay, Arthurs Quay and Sarsfield Bridge.
Sunday March 14th
International Band Parade and Competition
O’Connell Avenue from Midday.
The popular International Band Parade and Competition is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Marching bands from around Ireland, the USA, Germany, Africa and Northern Ireland will join Limerick’s finest to showcase their talents with adrenalin pumping music.
The Band Parade will start in O’Connell Avenue and end in Arthur’s Quay Park with a free concert to the public.
Prizes will be awarded in different categories including Best International Band, Best National Band, Best Local Band Best Musical Performance Best Dressed Group and Most Entertaining Performance. The St. Patrick’s Festival 2010 Band Parade Trophy will be awarded to the Overall Parade Champion.
There will be a BBQ at the Locke Bar immediately following the competition.
Wednesday March 17th
St. Patricks Day Parade 2010
O’Connell Avenue from midday
- Local county parade details.
The theme for the St Patrick’s Day Parade is ‘I Love Limerick’ and Limerick’s St Patrick’s Day Parade looks set to once again be the largest parade in the country outside of Dublin with a huge number of colourful entries for 2010.
Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby star Keith Earls will lead the 2010 Limerick St Patrick’s Day Parade as the Grand Marshal.
Highlights of the Parade will include Singing sensation and local schoolgirl Nastasia Vashko, who will entertain the crowds and proudly represent Limerick as the 2010 Junior Marshal.
There will also be a parade by the Massachusetts State Troopers from the USA along with colourful entries from other 2010 Limerick events including The Great Limerick Run, The Special Olympics and the Pig n’Porter festival.
The Limerick Military Entry will be led by the 12th Infantry Batallion from Sarsfield Barracks. Ireland’s largest tricolour will be carried by the girls from Scoil Carmel. The Irish Chamber Orchestra based at the University of Limerick will also take part in the parade as will the Expressive Arts Theatre Group, the Limerick Polish School, the Munster Indian Cultural Association and many other sporting, cultural, community, business and social organisations who will give the parade a great splash of colour.
Crowds in excess of 60,000 are expected by officials to line the O’Connell Street route.
Other Events
Horse Racing – 1.30pm
St Patrick’s Horse Racing festival takes place at Limerick race course in Patrickswell on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th.
Strongman Challenge – 3.30pm
The St. Patrick’s strongman challenge takes place at the Sean Choil sports complex in Corbally on Sunday 14th.
