Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Limerick from 20 March to 1 May 2026, featuring a vibrant mix of orienteering competitions, youth filmmaking, lifelong learning, traditional music, and the kick-off of the city’s major summer festival. These events span Limerick City, Abbeyfeale, and various venues, highlighting sport, creativity, culture, and community spirit in spring.
Major Festivals and Multi-Day Events
- HIT-THE-TOWN Festival of Orienteering (21-22 March): A thrilling two-day orienteering festival in Limerick City, including the Irish Open Sprint Orienteering Championships, a Two-Person Sprint Relay, and an Open Urban Event-ideal for navigation enthusiasts and families exploring the urban landscape.
- Fresh International Film Festival (23-28 March): A celebration of young filmmakers aged 7-18 at various venues, showcasing short films, workshops, screenings, and skill-building opportunities to empower the next generation of cinematic storytellers.
- Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival (20-26 April): A week of over 200 free events across libraries, museums, community centres, parks, and more in the city and county, offering diverse workshops, talks, and activities for all ages and interests to promote continuous learning.
- Fleadh by the Feale (30 April – 4 May, starting within the period): A traditional Irish music festival in Abbeyfeale, featuring top musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers from Ireland and beyond, with sessions, concerts, and cultural celebrations over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
- Riverfest Limerick (1-4 May, starting on the final day): Limerick’s premier summer festival along the River Shannon and city centre, beginning with live music (including acts like Kila and Ham Sandwich), the opening of the Riverfestival Village in Arthur’s Quay Park, family activities, food, and entertainment to herald the warmer months.
Other Notable Events
- Limerick v Galway (Allianz Hurling League) (21 March @ 19:00): A key Round 7 hurling match at TUS Gaelic Grounds between two strong county teams-expect intense GAA action and passionate support.
- Paradise Lost (22 March @ 19:00): A live performance by the band Paradise Lost at Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant, delivering their signature gothic metal and atmospheric sounds.
- 3 Short Plays (27 March @ 20:00): The debut show by Lanahrone Players, Limerick’s newest community drama group, presenting three short plays at The Gaff for an evening of local theatre.
- y2k Party (4 April @ 17:00): A nostalgic social event at The Old Stand Bar, embracing early 2000s fashion, music, and culture for a fun throwback gathering.
- HS Acoustic Trio: Month of May Tour (1 May @ 20:00): An intimate acoustic set by members of the band HamsandwicH at The Commercial as part of their national tour, offering melodic tunes in a relaxed setting.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Limerick is a major cultural hub, blending its “City of Culture” legacy with deep-rooted agricultural and sporting traditions.
- Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival (March): A week-long celebration featuring hundreds of free workshops, talks, and events aimed at promoting learning for all ages across the city and county.
- Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival (March): A massive multi-day celebration featuring one of Ireland’s largest parades and the spectacular International Band Championship.
- Fresh International Film Festival (March): An Ennistymon and Limerick-based festival that showcases and celebrates the work of young filmmakers (aged 7–18) from around the world.
- Eva International (April–July): Ireland’s biennial of contemporary art (occurring every two years), turning the city into a gallery with large-scale installations and international exhibitions.
- Riverfest Limerick (May): A massive May Bank Holiday festival celebrating the River Shannon with water sports, a huge BBQ competition, fireworks, and a carnival.
- Limerick Sings International Choral Festival (June): A non-competitive choral event bringing together choirs from across the globe for performances in the University Concert Hall and local churches.
- Bloomsday in Limerick (June): A celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses, focusing on the Limerick connections of the character Leopold Bloom with readings and period dress.
- West Limerick Drama Festival (June): A long-running competitive amateur drama festival held in Abbeyfeale, showcasing top theatrical talent.
- Limerick Pride (July): A vibrant week of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, culminating in a large parade and “Pridefest” in the city.
- Cappamore Show (August): One of Ireland’s leading one-day agricultural shows, featuring livestock competitions, vintage engines, and local artisan crafts.
- HearSay International Audio Arts Festival (August): An award-winning creative gathering in Kilfinane for audio makers, radio producers, and fans of storytelling from around the world.
- Limerick Show (August): The county’s largest agricultural and food festival held at Limerick Racecourse, featuring show jumping, livestock, and family entertainment.
- Elemental Arts & Culture Festival (September): A community-led arts festival in Limerick City featuring street art, eco-workshops, and secret-venue performances.
- Pigtown Food Series (September/October): A celebration of Limerick’s world-famous pig industry and food heritage, featuring themed dinners, markets, and cookery demos.
- Richard Harris International Film Festival (October): A high-profile festival honoring the Limerick-born actor, showcasing independent film and hosting red-carpet awards.
- Christmas in Limerick (November/December): A festive program featuring the “Toots the Train,” ice skating, and traditional markets centered around Arthur’s Quay and the Milk Market.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary– Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Limerick:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
