Putting the life back into Limerick nightlife as new initiative launched

A NEW NIGHTLIFE initiative called Twilight Thursdays has been launched by Limerick City and County Council, which they say will “undoubtedly improve our city’s nighttime offering”.

Kicking off this Thursday, May 29, Twilight Thursdays will take place on the last Thursday of every month, offering a rich mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, and cultural showcases. 

Events planned for the evening include storytelling by the fireside, a family-friendly Three Bridges walk with entertainers, and dinosaur encounters at The Wickham Way. 

The programme promises entertainment for all ages, alongside traditional live music, explorations of Limerick’s nightlife, and creative workshops such as paint and prosecco. 

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Craig Power, night time economy advisor at Limerick Council, said: “Twilight Thursdays marks an important step in reimagining Limerick’s nighttime offering, and we’re grateful for the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as well as our local councillors whose funding has helped bring this vision to life. 

“We encourage everyone to take part in this first edition and look forward to building on its success with even more exciting offerings in the months ahead.”

Food lovers can enjoy supper clubs, wine tastings, a whiskey showcase, and a progressive food tour through several venues. A number of bars and restaurants across the city will also be offering special food and drink promotions.

Limerick city is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night-Time Economy pilot programme. Twilight Thursdays has also received funding from several Limerick councillors through their General Municipal Allocation (GMA) Funds.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, is looking forward to this first Twilight Thursday. 

“Twilight Thursdays is all about reimagining Limerick after dark and inviting people to step out and see our city in a whole new way,” he said. 

“This initiative is about more than just one Thursday a month; it’s a movement to showcase Limerick's incredible culture, energy and the ability to do things differently. We want people to embrace the opportunity to support local businesses, meet friends and above all, enjoy themselves. 

“Whether you're discovering a new venue, enjoying live music, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Twilight Thursdays will undoubtedly improve our city’s nighttime offering. Let’s make this a tradition that brings our community together.”

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Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District, Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon, also expressed his enthusiasm for the programme. He said: “I am delighted to see such a comprehensive and exciting programme for the inaugural Twilight Thursday. 

“This event would not be possible without the incredible support of local businesses, community partners, and the dedicated staff at Limerick City and County Council who have all rowed in behind this idea. 

“I invite the people of Limerick and beyond to come out, get involved, and help make this a vibrant and successful new tradition for our city.”

Highlights for May 29 include Twilight Tales by the Limerick Fireside at 5:30pm, a magical storytelling session for all ages. From6pm to 8pm, the Three Bridges Family Fun walk will feature games, activities, and surprises along the scenic route. 

The Jurassic Takeover at The Wickham Way will offer thrilling interactive dinosaur experiences at 7:15pm and 8:15pm.

The Big Limerick Seisiún, showcasing traditional Irish music, will take place at 5pm and again at 9pm. Limerick’s Classic Clubs Map will launch between 6pm and 9pm, celebrating the city’s nightlife history. 

A comprehensive event guide and listings can be found on Limerick.ie, with other events including food and drinks tastings as well as beauty treatments also on offer.

Additionally, to make the evening more accessible, Twilight Thursdays has partnered with FREENOW and Uber to offer a 40% discount on taxi rides. 

Use the code "TwilightThursday" on FREENOW or "TWILIGHTTHURSDAYMAY" on Uber. 

Danny O’Gorman, general manager of FREENOW Ireland, commented: “FREENOW is delighted to be supporting Limerick’s Twilight Thursdays initiative and the city’s nighttime economy. By offering discounts for FREENOW passengers, we are hoping to ensure that the cultural activities and live entertainment on offer will be accessible to locals and people from outside the city. Our driver partners will be kept busy bringing people to and from various events and businesses. We are encouraging residents and visitors to get involved in this great local initiative.” 

Kieran Harte, general manager of Uber Ireland, added: "Uber is proud to support this initiative in Limerick, which has been home to us for 10 years."

Free parking will also be available at the Potato Market car park from 6pm to 10pm.

Twilight Thursdays will continue throughout the year on the following dates: June 26, July 31, August 28, September 25, October 30, November 27, and December 18.