City of Culture - Act now to turn drama into triumph

It seemed like a great idea — build on the success of last year’s national Gathering, harness a growing movement to think and act locally and encourage Ireland’s arts community to focus their efforts in their own back yard.

Ireland’s new national City of Culture programme is designed to recognise and nurture the cultural achievements of large urban areas. Thanks mostly to the efforts of Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Limerick was designated as Ireland’s first national City of Culture. It achieved this distinction almost without demur from the rest of the country.

That is not so surprising, as it would appear to be an honour well deserved, with a thriving artistic community providing some of the country’s most dynamic art, music and theatre experiences. Limerick is also in the middle of an extensive regeneration project which has now been reinvigorated to include a 10-year plan, costing in the region of €253m.