Greetings from 1691
Limerick hosts two festivals at once this week. The Limerick Jazz Festival fills Dolan's and the Belltable with international and Irish jazz from Wednesday, and the Limerick Comedy Festival spreads stand-up across the city's bars from Thursday.
In between, Lime Tree Theatre stages the world premiere of Refuge by Deirdre Kinahan, and Denise Chaila comes home for a solo show at Record Room.
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Limerick Jazz Festival
Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September · Various times · Multiple venues across Limerick City, including Dolan's and the Belltable
Now in its 15th year, the festival brings jazz musicians from Ireland and abroad to venues across the city over five days. The programme includes a Coltrane centenary tribute performing A Love Supreme in full, the Arbenz X Osby, Barradas and Moutin collaboration, Shadowlands presenting their album Two Minds, and a closing day pairing the Zoë Gilby Quartet with the Tommy Halferty Quartet.
Limerick Comedy Festival
Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September · Various times · Venues across Limerick City, including The Old Quarter, Belltable and Wickham Way
Around 90 comedy acts fill the city for the festival's inaugural year, running across four days. The Old Quarter stages headline sets from John O'Keefe, Mike Morgan and Dave Savage on successive nights, Karl Spain headlines at the Belltable, and Wickham Way closes the festival with a family show on Sunday.
Refuge by Deirdre Kinahan
Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September · 20:00 · Lime Tree Theatre
Fishamble and Staatstheater Mainz's world premiere blends theatre, live music and dance to connect the Palatine refugees who settled in Rathkeale in 1710 with the experience of displacement today. The production formed part of Ireland's EU Presidency culture programme.
Coltrane 100th Anniversary: A Love Supreme
Wednesday 23 September · 20:30 · Dolan's Upstairs
Michael Buckley, Leopoldo Osio, Ronan Guilfoyle and Darren Beckett perform John Coltrane's 1965 suite in full on what would have been his 100th birthday, alongside selections from Giant Steps. The quartet specialises in this repertoire and reunites annually for the show. Part of Limerick Jazz Festival.
Curiosity Shop + special guests The Labourers
Thursday 24 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Kasbah
The Scottish alt-folk five-piece blend acoustic guitar, double bass, accordion and vocal harmonies across folk, jazz and traditional influences. Since forming in 2024 they've headlined packed shows and toured with alt-country acts. The Labourers, an Irish folk band who add punk backbeats to traditional accompaniment, join as special guests.
Tom Ollendorff Quartet with special guest Will Vinson
Friday 25 September · 19:30 · Belltable
New York saxophonist Will Vinson joins guitarist Tom Ollendorff on this stop of an international tour. Ollendorff published Etudes, a solo guitar collection, with Faber Music in 2022, and teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. Part of Limerick Jazz Festival, supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.
John Donegan Quintet & ReRoute
Friday 25 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Upstairs
Cork-born pianist John Donegan, who has performed with Art Blakey and Louis Stewart, presents new material from his album Interfuse in a trio and quartet format after several sextet recordings. Support comes from ReRoute, a Kildare duo pairing vocalist Rufina Tishina with guitarist Emily O'Rourke, both DCU jazz graduates blending improvisation with original songwriting. Part of Limerick Jazz Festival.
Denise Chaila: An Seo Tour
Saturday 26 September · 20:00 · Record Room
Denise Chaila's first solo tour weaves together Zambian heritage, Irish-Brazilian rhythms, classical vocal training and west coast folk sessions, with new material previewing her forthcoming 2027 album. The Choice Music Prize winner plays her hometown as part of the tour.
The Stranger: A Tribute to Billy Joel
Saturday 26 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Warehouse
The six-piece band works through Billy Joel's catalogue for a full concert, including "Piano Man" and "New York State of Mind."
Castleconnell Concert Series: Aoife Ní Bhriain & Cormac McCarthy
Tuesday 29 September · 20:00 · All Saints Church, Castleconnell
Violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain and pianist Cormac McCarthy perform music from their album Cosán Casta, reworking Irish traditional tunes through original compositions and a combination of classical and jazz idioms. Both musicians studied jazz and classical music internationally before returning to their traditional roots.
Fred Cooke
Friday 25 September · 20:15 · The Horse and Hound Bar
Limerick Comedy Festival's night at The Horse and Hound is headlined by Fred Cooke, with Fiona O'Mahony as MC and support from Jo Jarvie and Robbie O'Donnell.
Bottomless Barbie Drag Brunch with Mockie Ah!
Saturday 26 September · 13:00 · 101, O'Connell Street
Candy Warhol hosts this Barbie and Ken themed brunch, with guest performances from Bonnie Ann Clyde and Robyn Diamonds alongside audience games and a best-dressed competition.
1-2s
Tuesday 29 September · Check time · Lime Tree Theatre
Presented by de Stilte as part of the Bualadh Bos Children's Festival, this is an encounter between two dancers.
The Menace Quiz with Darragh Ennis
Tuesday 22 September · 19:30 · Dolan's Warehouse
The Chase's Darragh Ennis hosts an interactive pub quiz spanning general knowledge, pop culture and history, with players competing through the Redtooth Smart Quiz app.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Limerick check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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