Greetings from 1691
This week in Limerick, the city runs at full pace from St Patrick's Day right through to the end of the month.
Dolans has a stacked calendar every single night, the Limerick Early Music Festival takes over Belltable with its Masks & Masques theme, Mean Girls lands at UCH and Paradise Lost comes to the Warehouse on Sunday
It's a good week to be in Limerick.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Limerick Early Music Festival 2026 - Masks & Masques Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 March Belltable, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and other Limerick venues
The Limerick Early Music Festival returns for its 2026 edition with a theme of Masks & Masques; exploring the tradition of masked performance from medieval drama through 17th-century court entertainment to today. Five days of concerts, workshops, and family events across the city. Highlights this year include a free lunchtime concert on Thursday, the opening choral concert Concealed and Revealed at Saint Mary's Cathedral on Friday, the Harpsichord Diaries family event on Saturday, and the closing concert Wayfaring Pipers on Sunday night. Full programme below in their respective categories. Full details
Aslan Saturday, 21 March | 20:00 Dolans Warehouse
Aslan continue their journey with new frontman Lee Tomkins; one of the most emotionally significant Irish rock bands doing their first post-Christy Dignam shows is a genuinely important live event. Together We're Stronger hits differently right now. Support from Parliament Square. Get tickets
Mean Girls - The Musical Monday, 23 March | 19:30 University Concert Hall
The hit Broadway and West End musical adaptation of Tina Fey's Mean Girls lands at UCH. If you saw the film a dozen times between 2004 and 2010 (and you know who you are), this is required attendance. Get tickets
LIVE MUSIC
St. Patrick's Day at Dolans Tuesday, 17 March | from 12:00 Dolans Pub
Food from noon, trad music from 2pm, and free entry all day. Dolans on Paddy's Day is a Limerick institution; reliable, warm, and exactly what it needs to be. Details
REBOOT Presents: Patrick Topping St Patrick's Day Takeover Tuesday, 17 March | 22:30 Dolans Warehouse
Patrick Topping, one of the hottest names in Irish dance music right now, plays a massive Paddy's Day night at the Warehouse. Get tickets
Tinteán Sessions Tuesday, 17 March | 20:00 The Commercial
Traditional music session at The Commercial on Paddy's Day evening. A good shout if you want something more intimate than the big venues. Details
Tom Prendergast Tuesday, 17 March | 21:00 The Commercial, Catherine Street Details
Acoustic Club Open Mic Tuesday 17 & Tuesday 24 March | 21:00 The Number Three
The Number Three's regular open mic night runs twice across the fortnight. Local talent, open stage, no charge. Details
Concert: Concealed & Revealed (LEMF Opening Night) Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Saint Mary's Cathedral
The opening concert of the Limerick Early Music Festival — choral music exploring themes of revelation and concealment, featuring works by JS Bach and others, in the stunning acoustic of Saint Mary's Cathedral. Get tickets
U.M.A.N Friday, 20 March | 20:00 - 20:30 Dolans Upstairs
Brian Flanagan's U.M.A.N brings powerful harmony-driven vocals and sophisticated songwriting to Dolans Upstairs. Get tickets
David Geraghty (Bell X1) - presented by Seoda Shows Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Dolans Kasbah
David Geraghty of Bell X1 plays an intimate solo show at the Kasbah, with new and unreleased material. A rare chance to see one of Ireland's finest in a small room. Get tickets
Ghost of War (Slayer Tribute) Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Pharmacia
Slayer tribute band Ghost of War at Pharmacia. The horns are out. Details
KiiKO Friday, 20 March | 21:00 The Commercial Details
Frontline Saturday Show (LEMF) Saturday, 21 March Belltable
A jam-packed entertainment show as part of the Early Music Festival weekend programme. Get tickets
The Rocket Surgeons Saturday, 21 March | 20:00 Dolans Upstairs Get tickets
Basht. Saturday, 21 March | 20:00 Kasbah Social Club Get tickets
Paradise Lost presented by Bad Reputation Sunday, 22 March | 19:30 Dolans Warehouse
Gothic metal legends Paradise Lost at the Warehouse — a rare Irish date for one of the originators of the genre. If you're familiar with Icon, Draconian Times, or Gothic, this one needs no further selling. Get tickets
Festival Concert Finale: Wayfaring Pipers (LEMF) Sunday, 22 March | 20:00 Belltable
The closing concert of the Limerick Early Music Festival, medieval music performed by virtuoso musicians to close out five days of LEMF 2026. Get tickets
Frontline Sunday Show (LEMF) Sunday, 22 March Belltable Get tickets
Big Shots Sunday, 22 March | 20:00 The Commercial Details
Limerick Classical Concert Series: Sinéad Farrell, Fiachra Garvey, Katie Tertell Sunday, 22 March | 19:30 University Concert Hall
Flute, piano, and cello; three exceptional musicians in a properly beautiful classical evening at UCH. Sinéad Farrell (flute), Fiachra Garvey (piano), and Katie Tertell (cello). Get tickets
ARTS & CULTURE
"St Patrick Was a Gentleman" - Tales by the Limerick Fireside Tuesday, 17 March | 14:30 Captains' Room, Hunt Museum
Renowned storyteller Daithí Collopy performs traditional Irish storytelling about St Patrick at the Hunt Museum. A quieter, more contemplative Paddy's Day option and genuinely lovely in that room. Details
Harp Harmony: A St Patrick's Day Celebration Tuesday, 17 March | 13:00 King John's Castle
Dr Fiana Ní Chonaill and the Cuisle Harp Ensemble perform at King John's Castle for a Paddy's Day harp concert. A beautiful setting for a beautiful instrument. Details
St Patrick's Festival Block Party Tuesday, 17 March | 14:00 Arthur's Quay Park
Aerial performances, musical antics, and DJ entertainment at Arthur's Quay Park as part of the St Patrick's Festival. Details
Serena Terry: Therapy Thursday, 19 March | 19:00 Lime Tree Theatre
Serena Terry, Mammy Banter herself, brings her Therapy show to the Lime Tree. Sharp, relatable, and consistently funnier than anyone who's been to actual therapy deserves. Get tickets
Jason Byrne: Head in the Clouds - SOLD OUT Thursday 19 & Friday 20 March | 19:30 Dolans Warehouse
Both nights of Jason Byrne's Limerick run are sold out, flagging in case returns come up. Check Dolans' website directly. Check for returns
Michael Collins - A Musical Drama Thursday, 19 March | 19:00 - 20:00 University Concert Hall
A theatrical and musical account of Michael Collins's life, UCH is the perfect venue for this kind of big, sweeping Irish historical drama. Get tickets
LEMF: Family Event - Harpsichord Diaries Saturday, 21 March | 13:00 Belltable
A theatrical family event based on the children's book The Harpsichord Diaries. The LEMF's family programming is always inventive and this looks like a treat for younger audiences. Get tickets
LEMF Workshop: Mask - The Art of Culture, Expression and Transformation (ages 13+) Sunday, 22 March | 12:00 Belltable
An interactive workshop exploring the cultural history and performance art of masks, part of the Early Music Festival's broader Masks & Masques programme. Get tickets
Sinners (IFI@Belltable) Monday, 23 March Belltable
Ryan Coogler's Sinners screens at Belltable's IFI programme. Coogler's films are always events worth turning up for. Get tickets
Underworld - Original Musical by TY Students Tuesday, 24 March Belltable/Lime Tree
An original musical play by Transition Year students exploring themes of identity, written and produced by the students themselves. Details
Patrick Redmond: Face Maker Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 March (and beyond) Hunt Contemporary
The first solo exhibition in the Hunt Contemporary series for 2026, Patrick Redmond's Face Maker is on across the week. Well worth calling in. Details
Local Art and Crafts Popup - Nicholas Street Saturday, 21 March | 10:30 19 Nicholas Street (near King John's Castle)
Limerick Psychic & Holistic Fair Sunday, 22 March | 11:00 Castletroy Park Hotel. Details
OUTDOOR & WELLNESS
St Patrick's Day Parade - Limerick City Tuesday, 17 March | 12:00 Limerick City Centre
The main city parade at noon, being live-streamed too if you want to check the route first. Details
County Limerick Parades Tuesday, 17 March | Various times
Broadford (12:00), Kilmallock (13:00), Newcastle West (15:00), and Adare (15:00) Multiple parades across the county on Paddy's Day. Adare's Spectacular Showbiz Parade has pre-parade entertainment from 12:30 at Village Park — Grand Marshal this year is a local community figure. Details
Free Meditation & Yoga Tuesday, 17 March | 18:00 City Library, Limerick Details
FAMILY FRIENDLY
St Patrick's Weekend at the Hunt Museum Today, Monday 16 March | from 10:00 The Hunt Museum
Celtic crafts, live performances, and storytelling, ideal for kids across the whole weekend. Details
St Patrick's Fun Day at the Milk Market Tuesday, 17 March | from 10:00 Milk Market
Food stalls, craft, vintage, face painting, and Mickey Dunne & Friends performing live, all free entry. Details
Popcorn Party & Brave Screening Today, Monday 16 March | 13:00 Hunt Café, Hunt Museum
Pixar's Brave on the big screen at the Hunt, perfect for the 5-10 crowd before the parade build-up. Details
St Patrick's Festival Block Party Tuesday, 17 March | 14:00 Arthur's Quay Park
Aerial acts, music, and DJs for all ages at Arthur's Quay Park. Details
LEMF Family Event: Harpsichord Diaries Saturday, 21 March | 13:00 Belltable
Family-friendly theatrical performance based on The Harpsichord Diaries, a gentle and imaginative introduction to early music for younger audiences. Get tickets
Irish Pilates Convention Saturday, 21 March | 09:00 Radisson Blu
A full day for Pilates teachers and enthusiasts, workshops, inspiration, and the kind of event that'll have you stretching for the rest of the week. Details
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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