PICTURES: Launch of the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival

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The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns this April with its most comprehensive line-up of
events to date. Taking place from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th April, this year’s festival theme is
“Discover Lifelong Learning 2026”. Now in its 16 th year, the Festival features over 130 free events
and activities to choose from throughout the week both online and in-person.

The 2026 festival presents a wide variety of interesting and diverse topics that include Art, IT Skills,
Language Tasters, Entrepreneurship, Guided Tours and Walks, Health and Wellbeing, Open Days,
Educational Pathways, Dance, Music, Cookery and much more.

This year’s festival was officially launched today (Friday, 27th March) at TUS Coonagh Campus, Co.
Limerick by Councillor Maria Donoghue, deputising for the Mayor of Limerick.

Noting the positive effect of the festival, Councillor O’Donoghue said:

“Limerick City and County Council is proud to support all of Learning Limerick’s projects and delighted
to be a core sponsor of this festival. We are committed to lifelong learning in all its forms and value
the work of Learning Limerick and its membership of both the UNESCO Global Network and Irish
Network of Learning Cities, where we get to share best practice with other Learning Cities. The list of

events taking place over the course of this festival will be of interest to people in communities and
neighbourhoods the length and breadth of Limerick city and county and of course further afield. I
wish you all the very best for the Lifelong Learning Festival 2026; as we continue to guide curious
minds on their perpetual journey of discovery.”

Michael MacCurtain, Limerick Chamber Skillnet and Chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group
highlighted the relevance of the festival theme and Learning Limerick’s new Strategic Plan, saying:

“This festival remains a powerful reminder that learning belongs to everyone at every stage of life, in
every community, and across every sector of our city and county. Our festival this year is also based
around the importance of connections, intergenerational events and AI in everyday life, which is an
ever-increasing and relevant topic. Learning Limerick also has plans to launch our new Learning
Limerick Strategic Plan during the festival. This plan builds on our strong foundation and sets out how
we will widen participation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that learning is embedded in
community development, enterprise, culture and civic life.”

The MC for the launch was Dr. Orlaith Borhwick, Head of Flexible and Professional Learning,
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and she welcomed all guests, including steering group
and festival organising committee members, learners and partners, to the event.

David Doherty, a Social Care student at TUS and a Learning Limerick Ambassador, also spoke at the
launch about his own learning journey, saying:

“Returning to learning through the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival and TUS changed the direction
of my life. I discovered supports I never knew existed and found the confidence to take the next steps
into higher education. Today, as a Learning Ambassador, I’m proud to encourage others to start their
own learning journey, because no matter where you begin, there’s a pathway forward.”

Learning Limerick Ambassador, Clare Dollard spoke about her ongoing love for Community
Education and her pride at graduating from the University of Limerick CWELL Programme:

“This festival shows how transformative learning can be. Whether you’re trying something new,
returning to education, or simply exploring an interest. My story shows that when you take that first
step, incredible things can happen.”

The work of the National Learning Network (NLN) and its involvement and support for Learning
Limerick and the Festival was also highlighted by NLN Area Manager Lisa Haugh at the launch.
Attendees were treated to an interactive and performance element, facilitated by staff and students
from Mary Immaculate College. It featured Borborbor, a traditional drum-dance originating from the
Ewe people from Ghana. Marie Edmonds from the Music Department led the session teaching the
guests at the launch about the tradition, culminating in the group making music together.

Just some of the 130 events taking place through the week include:
 Family Circus Day with the Irish Aerial Creation Centre
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/family-circus-day
 Introduction to Acting with College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/introduction-to-acting
 Eat Well, Feel Well: Exploring Nutrition and Wellbeing with Limerick City Partnership and
Mental Health Ireland.
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/eat-well-feel-well-exploring-nutrition-and-the-
5-ways-to-wellbeing
 A Taste of Higher Education at TUS, Moylish Campus
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/a-taste-of-higher-education-1
 Read, Rattle & Rhyme in Rathkeale with Community Families
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/read-rattle-rhyme-in-rathkeale
 Dishes of Old Times with St Mary’s Adult Education Group
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/dishes-of-old-times
 Introduction to Mary Immaculate College for Mature Students
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/dishes-of-old-times
 AI in Everyday Life with Hospital FRC and Limerick and Clare ETB
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/ai-in-everyday-life
 Storytime for young children in Adare Library
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/storytime
 Age-Friendly University Learning in University of Limerick
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/whats-on/age-friendly-university-learning-valuing-lifelong-
learning-inclusion-and

The Festival Brochure was also unveiled at the launch where a complete listing of events and
activities can be found. The event listing is available on www.limerick.ie/lovelearning