SLEIGH BELLS RING AS CHRISTMAS IN LIMERICK 2021 LINEUP ANNOUNCED
Fun for the entire family in store as Limerick City and County Council unveil Christmas In Limerick programme for 2021.
After the recent cancellation of the annual Christmas lights ceremony on account of growing case numbers in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the council have released a packed schedule of outdoor and socially-distanced events as part of its Christmas In Limerick initiative.
The exciting lineup of local events was unveiled by Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler with the help of Limerick Olympic hockey star Róisín Upton and hurling legend Cian Lynch.
The trio united to ‘lift the lights’ across the city, officially declaring the holiday season as arrived in Limerick.
Limerick Olympian Roísín Upton at the launch of the 2021 Christmas in Limerick programme
Fun for all the family.
The Christmas In Limerick initiative will see a smorgasbord of festive fun for all ages throughout the month of December.
On December 3 and 10, foodies can sample some seasonal delights at the city’s Medieval Quarter on Nicholas Street with a range of food trucks and craft stalls. Local street theatre company Lumen will be on hand too to provide entertainment with a Christmas window installation at King John’s Castle.
Those with a flair for fashion are also in for a treat with a boutique outdoor Christmas fair in the heart of Limerick’s Georgian Quarter in Perry Square. Visitors can enjoy a range of festive fare while browsing the stalls on December 4 and 5.
Music will fill the streets of Limerick city too as the Festive Caravan Club Extravaganza returns to Thomas Street. The series of outdoor gigs will run on December 4, 11, and 18 and is set to feature local favourites Downtown Dixieland Band, gospel choirs, and more.
Also out and about on the streets throughout December, Wexford street theatre group Buí Bolg will be going on a number of festive walkabouts to bring the Christmas cheer.
For the little ones, Santa’s Post Box will be in situ on Thomas Street on December 11 and 12 to make sure those all-important letters make their way to the jolly man in red.
Elsewhere in the county, Little Red Riding Hood’s Christmas Adventure at Friars’ Gate Theatre will add some festive flair to the much-loved children’s classic, while racegoers can once again look forward to the longstanding tradition of the Limerick Christmas Racing Festival at Limerick Racecourse from December 26 to 29.
Limerick will still celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Commenting on the prospect of another Christmas under government guidelines, after continued spikes in Covid-19 cases in the past weeks, Mayor Daniel Butler said: “I think we’re all looking forward to Christmas this year and spending quality time with family and friends after another difficult year.”
“Despite the continuing challenges of the fallout from Covid-19, Limerick will still celebrate the spirit of Christmas, while looking after ourselves, our families, and those who need our help over the festive period.
“I think of all years, what most people want for Christmas 2021 is to spend quality time with those that we love and this is what we’re all aiming for.”
Keeping it local this Christmas.
In his announcement, Mayor Butler also encouraged shoppers in Limerick to keep it local this year and support indigenous business owners in the retail and hospitality sector who are no doubt still feeling the impact of the past two years.
“I am asking the people of Limerick to support our local businesses when purchasing gifts either in person or online and hopefully we can get footfall back into our shops in December.”
In a bid to encourage shoppers to support businesses in the community, the council will be opening additional and free car parking spaces across the city and county throughout December.
Locations for these spaces will be spread throughout the Limerick City and County Council car park (accessible via Nicholas Street), at the Irish Rail Depot on the Roxboro Road, at the Cleeve’s site on O’Callaghan Strand, and on-street throughout the city at selected times.
A number of similar parking initiatives will be run in Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, and Newcastle West.