ORGANISERS of this year’s Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, which runs from April 8 to 14, are helping to bridge the gap between local communities through education.
The theme of this year’s event, ‘Bridging the Gap’, links young and old; rural and urban; returning to learning and welcoming new communities and runs alongside the festival’s annual tagline of ‘Communities, Connecting, Learning’.
The theme symbolises the ‘3 Bridges’ walking route in Limerick and with over 200 free events and activities taking place, there are plenty of opportunities for enjoyment and education.
Events include a production of ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ across the Limerick Library network by the Limerick Childcare Committee and a presentation on Irish Union Workhouses by Merriman Research in King John’s Castle.
There will also be Spanish and Latin Dancing in the University of Limerick and a special presentation of ‘Seo É Mise – This is Me’ with Northside Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty.
An All-Ireland seminar takes place on Wednesday, April 10 in King John’s Castle, where delegates from the Learning City Regions of Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Derry and Strabane will participate with the focus on Green and Healthy Learning, Digital Inclusion, Intergenerational Learning and Employability/Entrepreneurship.
Learning Limerick is a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which is an international policy-oriented network providing inspiration, know-how and best practice.
The Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) will launch ‘Limerick Learning Neighbourhoods’ on Wednesday, April 10 during the festival.
Speaking at the festival launch in Adare last week, Mayor James Collins said that learning is never a wasted experience as it helps us grow intellectually and to broaden our horizons.
“The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival brings together the joy and wonder of learning for all those who participate. It is done in a way that eases the learner in, making them feel involved in the whole process.
“I’m particularly proud of the key achievements of Learning Limerick in recent years including the UNESCO Learning City Award 2017 which has underpinned and endorsed the work that is being carried out,” Mayor Collins concluded.
Further details at www.limerick.ie/lovelearning
by Savina Browne
