THOUSANDS of families of all ages as well as the typical hardy age group out and about for New Year’s Eve took advantage of the free programme that rolled out over two hours from 6pm on.
Battling cold temperatures and a largely dry if blustery night, Buí Bolg led the community-driven pageant in a procession of floats and storytelling from Milk Market through medieval Limerick.
It finalised at King John’s Castle to reward participants the chance to line Thomond Bridge and Clancy Strand for best stance to the river narrative ‘The Boy Who Looked for the Trout’ – a play on the Shannon that failed with respect to sound and vision for the thousands who lined up on the Arthur’s Quay side.
Put it down to the black rushy waters of the Abbey and Shannon Rivers which had such urgency in their torrent that filtered out any meaningful show for many onlookers; word play and the City of Culture anthem at 8pm were lost also in the December wind despite the proximity of the MGLC bandstand.
Not lost and a magnificent highlight were the fireworks that began next in the evening of entertainment. The light and firework show segued on from 7.45pm to a Catherine Wheel-riveted skyline against the backdrop of castle, bridge and court houses. Limerick was illuminated at her best silhouette and even the rain shied off obligingly to let us linger.
The ticketed concert filled up from 8.30pm with a pecking order of bands: Leading Armies were a lively and coherent opening start and the only real gap thereafter was between this Limerick outfit and Irish Chamber Orchestra’s demanding sound check.
Eight orchestra members ringed around a Cranberry-haired Dolores O’Riordan who had further support in session musicians. Her classic multi-million catalogue was raided for the crowd-pleasing favourites of ‘Linger’ and ‘The Journey’. Rock solid in her delivery, Dolores told us how “emotional I feel – and proud to be from Limerick” on the unique occasion, consolidating her devotion locally.
On then to Maverick Sabre; a long playing set by The Coronas and then – in the absence of a live microphone as the band cleared – a muted gong at 12.01am that soared into a second display of fireworks.
Crowds had increased as the concert continued on by the court houses, a brilliantly lit and bell-clear stage drawing in the late release of further ticket holders. Another boost was the certain knowledge of a good humoured, appreciative pack who did more than stay the course – it thickened, save not in mood – to give almighty cheers for Limerick’s rocky entry into ‘Happy New Year!!”
Finally, The Strypes lived up to their tight Glastonbury set and rocked on the determined revellers despite a shower soaking challenge to these brave-of-hearts.
