Inside Limerick's €500k Riverfest 2024 price tag
Following a formal question submitted by Councillor Maria Donoghue ahead of the Metropolitan District of Limerick meeting, the Council's Festival & Events Department released a detailed breakdown of spending for the event in 2024.
The total budget for the weekend, including VAT, came to €514,856.15.
In its 20th year, Riverfest 2024 attracted over 133,000 attendees across the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The festival featured a wide array of events including the Pegasus Parade, Riverfest Village, Fashionfest, a zip-line over the River Shannon, and a fireworks beside King John's Castle.
Key costs for the flagship festival included:
Riverfest Village (food, crafts, music): €144,211.35
Pegasus Parade (French street theatre): €64,821
Fireworks display: €51,284.65
Zip-line (free to the public): €35,055
National BBQ Competition: €35,854.50
Fashionfest with Celia Holman Lee: €14,089.65
Fidget Feet Aerial Show: €15,000
On-water activities (kayaking, rowing, swimming): €21,217
The Council also invested in more inclusive elements like a mobile ASD sensory unit (€5,775), and family-friendly spaces such as the Hunt Museum's garden games (€2,500).
Substantial funds were also allocated to logistics, licensing, insurance, and staffing:
Event management fees for Grooveyard: €18,634.50
Event crew and site management: Over €54,000 across various roles
Gardaí: €10,209
Insurance and licensing: Nearly €9,500 combined
Promotional efforts included TG4 and RTÉ coverage, with national video reels produced for €615.00.
With over 17,000 participants in the Regeneron Great Limerick Run, and tens of thousands enjoying the festivities, the Council describes Riverfest as 'a flagship festival' that 'puts Limerick centre stage' during the May Bank Holiday each year.
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