THE University of Limerick’s new Tailteann Nua Festival has been hailed a major success after it brought 1,000 visitors to the campus and generated an economic boost of over €300,000 to the region.
Inspired by the ancient Tailteann Games, which attracted Irish diaspora home to participate in Irish sports and performing arts, UL revived this cultural tradition after a 90-year break by launching the Tailteann Nua Festival.
Officially launched by Professor Paul McCutcheon, vice president and registrar of UL, and RTÉ’s Mary Kennedy, the festival, held from August 2 to 5, saw visitors travel to Limerick from Korea, Canada, Spain and the UK as well as from across Ireland.
The Tailteann Nua Festival programme included a variety of Irish cultural and entertainment events including set and step dancing, Sean Nós and writers’ workshops, a Ladies Gaelic football tournament and a Céili Mór finale.
The festival also held a major ‘Limericks’ competition which attracted entries from China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
The €1,000 first prize was awarded to Christine Robinson, a writer and artistic performer from Newcastle in the UK.
Another first for UL this summer was the launch of its new ‘Campus Holidays’ experience for families and groups.
