Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns this year and Mary Immaculate College (MIC) will be encouraging people to ‘Learn, Grow, Explore in 2024’ by holding a number of public events as part of the week-long schedule.
This annual festival will be held from 15 to 21 April this year and celebrates lifelong learning throughout Limerick through a variety of creative, enjoyable and informative events. This year’s packed line-up of over 150 events promises something for everyone.
Five free public events are being held at MIC on Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 April with a mix of poetry, music, history, engineering, Gaeilge, sport and education.
Welcoming MIC's involvement in this year's festival was Dr Eleanor Walsh, Acting Director of the Department of Enterprise & Community Engagement: “Limerick is a vibrant centre of learning opportunities every day, but the festival week offers an even broader range of taster opportunities to explore new topics and skills. With a motto of 'Communities, Connecting, Learning' we welcome everyone to join the workshops and talks in MIC or to attend the many interesting and varied events in the city and county. The week promises to be informative, lively and hopefully a catalyst for further engagement in education. We are particularly delighted in MIC to open our doors and offer an eclectic mix of events for all to engage in.”
Tuesday 16 April
“You Tread on my Dreams”: Love and Longing in the poetry of W.B. Yeats with Dr John McDonagh
Time: 7pm
Venue: G08 (Foundation Building)
W. B. Yeats is Ireland’s greatest poet and his poems have become staple features of Irish cultural life. This talk will explore his complex personal relationships as well as his role as a public figure in the new Irish state. The main target audience is community, adults. Contact: Dr John McDonagh at john.mcdonagh@mic.ul.ie or 061 204383.
Wednesday 17 April
Open Choir Rehearsal
Time: 1pm
Venue: G38 (Foundation Building)
This event is an opportunity for those who have always wished to sing in a choir to participate in one of MIC Community Choir’s lunchtime rehearsals. Singers who are members of other choral groups are also welcome to participate. The event will feature relaxation and warm-up exercises, exercises to develop musicianship, and will introduce participants to the experience of singing in parts with others. Come, join us and have some fun! Open to anyone who likes to sing! Refreshments will be provided after the rehearsal. Event hosted by Mary Immaculate College Community Choir. Contact: Paul Collins at Paul.Collins@mic.ul.ie or 086 823 446.
Bridges of Limerick and Future Bridges, while Bridging Generations
Time: 4pm
Venue: CRAFT Maker Space, Newman Hall (John Henry Newman Building)
Bridges of Limerick and Future Bridges, while Bridging Generations: Dr Paul O’Brien together with the CRAFT Maker Space team are inviting multiple generations (grandparent and grandchild; aunt and niece, any combination from two different generations in fact!) to get together and join us for this novel workshop to celebrate Lifelong Learning in Limerick. Come along and learn about the renowned bridges of Limerick and then have a chance to design and make your own bridge with your young engineer. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. For more information please contact the CRAFT Maker Space at craftmaker@mic.ul.ie. No booking necessary. The main target audience is adults and children. Contact: Dr. Eleanor Walsh at eleanor.walsh@mic.ul.ie or 061 205108.
Thursday 18 April
Introduction to Mary Immaculate College for Mature Students
Time: 11am
Venue: G10 (Foundation Building)
Join us for an information session on the pathways and supports available to mature students. This session will have information on the Teacher Education Access Programme (TEAP) and the Pre-University Programme (PUP). It will detail resources - academic, financial and other - that are available to mature students and there will also be an opportunity to speak with current mature students attending the college. Light refreshments will be available. Booking essential through Eventbrite. The main target audience is mature students from the surrounding areas. The max number is 50 attendees, and we will be providing light refreshments on the day. Contact: Rob O’Halloran at rob.ohalloran@mic.ul.ie or 061 774 727.
“Ar Chlé agus ar Fóraoil!” An Cumann Lúthchleas Gael; Frásaí Gaeilge sna Meáin (Left & wide! The GAA; Irish phrases in the Media):
Time: 1.10 pm
Venue: G10 (Foundation Building)
Deis í seo cúpla focal agus frása a chloistear go minic ar GAA BEO a fhoghlaim. Bí linn don spraoi agus don spórt gan amhras. (An opportunity to learn a few words and phrases that are commonly heard on GAA BEO). Come along for the fun - and for the sport, of course! The main target audience is the community, adults. All welcome. No booking necessary. For more information contact: Eleanor Walsh at eleanor.walsh@mic.ul.ie or 061-205108; Sile Ni Choincheannain: snichoincheannain@mic.ul.ie
Click here to find out more about this year's Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival.
