‘P-Ryder Cup’ for Limerick? Councillors support bid to bring Europride to region

COUNCILLORS have thrown their weight behind a local bid to host Europride - with one member even suggesting the 2028 event could be known as “P-Ryder Cup”.

Limerick LGBT Pride, the Outing Festival and Quare Clare are working together to bring the huge event to the west of Ireland three years from now.

PICTURES: Out and About in Limerick this weekend

Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara has said the event is worth potentially €2.5m to the local economy, and is estimated to draw more than 100,000 people.

However, the northside councillor said Limerick faces a “David v Goliath” battle with the British city of Manchester for the right to host the event.

Adjudicators will be in the region in the next few weeks, and Cllr Hickey O’Mara secured unanimous support for a motion he put before the metropolitan district asking his colleagues to back the bid.

“If successful, the joint bid for Limerick and Clare will be as big as Limerick City of Culture and as big, if not bigger, than the Ryder Cup,” he said.

“This is a no brainer for Limerick Council”.

His party colleague, Cllr Elisa O’Donovan seconded the motion, and it received support from Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely.

Independent councillor Maria Donoghue asked: “I wonder if we could call it P-Ryder Cup just to ride on the whole Ryder Cup thing. Why not?!”

Councillors Padraigh Reale, Labour and Peter Doyle, Fine Gael, spoke in support.

Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan of Fine Gael suggested event organisers could attend a metropolitan meeting, something that new metropolitan leader, Cllr Daniel Butler said he could facilitate.

She suggested Limerick could hold “a party to rival all parties”.

Limerick's Council's Festivals and Events co-ordinator Eileen Coleman said the authority is happy to support the bid, with meetings already held with the organisers.