Riverfest gives €20m boost to Limerick

THE country’s first major festival of the summer generated an estimated €20 million in visitor spend for the Limerick region.

Organisers of Riverfest 2011 are confident that the four-day festival will become an international event following the huge success of this year’s Shannonside event.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the 2011 European City of Sport over the May Bank Holiday weekend for the event.

More than 6,600 athletes took part in the Great Limerick Run, one of the highlights of the festival which saw some 20,000 spectators line the route of the run.

Other highlights included the Great Limerick Barbecue, and a fireworks and waters sports extravaganza on the River Shannon.

This year thousands of rugby fans also enjoyed the festivities as they attended the Amlin Cup semi-final at Thomond Park Stadium.

“I think Limerick has found its festival and I believe Riverfest will continue to grow and become a major national and perhaps international event,” said mayor of Limerick, Cllr Maria Byrne.

“The best of Limerick life was showcased over the last few days and thousands of people enjoyed the festivities in glorious sunshine. It was wonderful to see so many visitors and Limerick people enjoying themselves and I know the hotels and restaurants were extremely busy reporting a bumper weekend,” she said. “I want to thank the organisers for what surely was the most successful Riverfest to date.”

John Crowe, Limerick projects and promotions manager with Shannon Development, described Riverfest as an integral part of the company’s promotional programme for Limerick.

“The feedback from the tourism sector was very positive and the festival of events which really had something for everyone generated between €15m and €20m in visitor expenditure over the weekend,” Mr Crowe said.