ONE OF Ireland's biggest St Patrick's Day parades is set to be shown to millions of people across the pond, as Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland team up with American media to spread the celebrations.
ABC Network and Travelzoo media have joined together with Irish tourism companies, who have launched an initiative to attract more international visitors to the culturally rich, historically significant yet often overlooked city of Limerick.
Now millions of people across America can see what Limerick has to offer from the comfort of their own homes, as ABC and Travelzoo cover the annual spectacle that is St Patrick's Day in Limerick.
As reported by The Limerick Leader, the two-kilometre long parade, which will this year encompass the theme of 'Our Future is Green', is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators, with schools, businesses, sports clubs and local communities taking part to showcase Limerick's green heart and to mark the city's title of European Green Leaf City 2020.
The carnival of colour will include floats, music, dance and spectacle from a number of talented street theatre and dance groups, with Americans of Irish heritage-- or just those who love the annual celebrations-- guaranteed to enjoy the live coverage.
With climate activist Saoirse Rexton and Tidy Town champion Helen O'Donnell ready to take the lead as Grand Marshals, the parade will begin at 12pm local time on Tuesday, 17 March, so those in the United States may have to get up a little earlier-- or stay up a little later-- to catch it.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite ABC TV and Travelzoo to Limerick, to experience and film this year’s St Patrick’s Festival. It is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the festival and the city to a huge audience across the US – inspiring them to put Limerick and Ireland on their holiday ‘wish-list’ for 2020.”
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Sheahan said: “Limerick always comes alive during the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival and this year is no different. By embracing the green theme, participants will be able to celebrate our National Day and be conscious of a very important issue at the same time. I am sure that those in businesses, organisations and sports clubs in Limerick have used their imaginations and come up with some creative and informative entries for this year’s parade.”
“The recent storms have shown us that climate disruption is already having diverse and wide-ranging impacts on our environment so it’s a hugely important issue. We’re also delighted that global eyeballs will be on Limerick thanks to Tourism Ireland bringing international TV crews to Limerick so it’s set to be a great festival weekend.”
