Limerick's new initiative aims to increase footfall at night
Twilight Thursdays runs on the last Thursday of every month, offering a mix of family-friendly fun, live music, food and drink experiences, as well as cultural showcases.
Presented by Limerick City and County Council, the initiative is designed to energise the city's night-time economy and cultural life, and invite locals and visitors alike to explore the city after dark in 'a safe, welcoming' atmosphere.
Limerick City is one of nine locations selected to participate in the national Night Time Economy pilot programme, which is supported and funded by the Department of Culture.
Night-time economy adviser at Limerick City and County Council, Craig Power, told the Irish Examiner: 'Twilight Thursday is basically about bringing people into the city with the end goal of getting retail hours extended, getting business to open up later.
'But to ask businesses to do that, we need to be able to increase footfall in the city centre, so that's what we're doing. In the meantime, we're supporting culture, the food and beverage industry, hotels, restaurants, bars. We've got great partners in the likes of Uber and Free now that allow us to offer 40% off taxis for the nights in question.' So far, the events have been well received by the people in Limerick - despite the weather.
The Limerick Wild Geese Festival Crew, Tobi Omoteso, Raquel Castillo, Ciara O'Callaghan(Ceese), MuRli Evans Boevi and Isac Maurice Kossivi at The Commercial Bar. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson
For the owner of The Commercial, Rocky O'Shea, the initiative resembles a mini culture night - one which takes place every month.
'It's like a small little culture night and I always say culture night is the start of the season. It's where everyone comes back from holidays, the kids go back to school and there's a load of free events and it gives people a reason to come out. People go out and go, 'Jeez, this is a great city' and it kicks off a little bit of the nighttime buzz around,' Mr O'Shea said.
'You can see that this is slowly doing the same. I went around the last one and I was in a couple of places I wouldn't normally be, and there was a great buzz,' he added.
The next Twilight Thursday will be taking place in Limerick on July 31.
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