Riverfest hopes to attract 50,000 to Limerick

Limerick’s reputation as a rising star of city tourism will be further cemented this weekend as the 10th Riverfest is set to bring more than 50,000 people into the city.

One of the key anchor events for the festival, the Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run, will have 12,000 participants, including runners from 20 countries, as well as all 32 Irish counties.

Eoghan Prendergast, CEO of Limerick Marketing Company, said Limerick has taken a quantum leap over the past decade in terms of becoming a leading Irish destination for short-breaks.

“Limerick’s reputation as a city of sport has worked wonders in terms of attracting in large numbers here over the years. But from a social event perspective, no one event has done more for the city than Riverfest.”

The festival is expected to deliver a €5.5m spend over the weekend, with hotel accommodation at a premium.

Visit us @TheMilkMarket Saturday for #eva14 #AGITATIONISM info on the big wknd of @RiverfestLmk + @GLimerickRun fun! pic.twitter.com/AFQNDFh68i

— EVA International - Biennial of Contemporary Art (@eva_Limerick) May 1, 2014

Limerick Hotels Association spokesman Ivan Tuohy said: “It’s our strongest weekend of the year and it’s fantastic for business. It kicks off the summer for us and this year, of all years, there’s a real sense of positivity in Limerick. Riverfest is a big contributor to that.”

The family festival is an exciting mix of festivities and events, ranging from Saturday’s Coors Light Riverfest Barbecue — Ireland’s biggest annual barbecue competition with teams flying in from the US and UK to participate and with celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna on board — to the Great Limerick Run.

Fancy a Sunday Roast?? Pop down to Market Quarter on Sun from 12pm for a heavenly Riverfest belly punch! #limerick pic.twitter.com/IOKtGatIRL

— Riverfest Limerick (@RiverfestLmk) April 28, 2014

Other major events include Fashion Friday, the outdoor (Thomas St) fashion show extravaganza run by Celia Holman Lee; the Continental Fair of European artisan food producers and an aerial dance display by Fidget Feet.

Looking forward to a birds eye view of the shannon! Bring on the Sunday! @deirdre_flynn @miniandmum @RiverfestLmk

— Fidget Feet (@fidgetfeetdance) May 1, 2014