THIS weekend’s run of summer concerts at Thomond Park will see thousands of music lovers descend on the Treaty City, and have an economic impact on the city that “can’t be understated”.
Friday night (July 12) will see Irish band Snow Patrol take to the stage supported by hometown heroes Kingfishr and Dublin group Pillow Queens.
On Saturday (July 13), Scottish singer Paolo Nutini will take to the Thomond Park stage after CMAT. And on Sunday (July 14) ex-Oasis frontman and Britpop royalty Liam Gallagher – supported by The Mary Wallopers – will round out a weekend of sounds on Shannonside.
Thousands of people from Limerick and beyond will head to Thomond Park across the weekend, giving a much-needed boost to local hospitality businesses across the board.
The impact of concerts such as these on the local economy “can’t be understated”, according to Limerick Chamber.
Seán Golden, chief economist and director of policy with Limerick Chamber said that an annual run of concerts should be considered to give local businesses an extra boost during the summer season.
“The positive impact of concerts can’t be understated on the local hospitality sector; it also reinforces Limerick as a more liveable city. It would be great to have an annual run of concerts in Thomond Park over the summer,” Mr Golden told the Limerick Post.
However, the impact of concerts on the local economy should not just be reserved for the summer, Mr Golden says, with more events throughout the year reinforcing Limerick’s reputation as a city for music lovers.
“In fact, it would be great to have more live events throughout the year around Limerick,” the Chamber chief economist said.
“However, it is important to give credit where it is due. Several local organisations already do great work on the live music scene in Limerick.”
Citing the example of the local metal music scene, Mr Golden believes that there is room for the mainstream music industry to follow metal’s lead with concerts and festivals across Limerick.
“Bad Reputation Ireland and Dolans work very hard to bring internationally known metal bands to Limerick, what’s more is that there are two free festivals almost bookending the year with the Siege of Limerick in April and October – these festivals attract people from all over Ireland and Europe,” he said.
“The Amon Amarth and Behemoth gig in King John’s Castle five years ago really turned the dial for Limerick as a destination and is something that could definitely be emulated for more mainstream music,” Mr Golden concluded.
Tickets for the long weekend of Thomond Park gigs are still available on Ticketmaster.ie.
