Limerick City and Co. Co. Event Management, Creative Programming, Stakeholder Engagement, Sponsorship Development, Operational Delivery and Management Services for the Limerick St. Patrick's Festival

Tender description

The provision of Event Management, Creative Programming, Stakeholder Engagement, Sponsorship Development, Operational Delivery and Festival Management Services for the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival (2027 – 2029). Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival is one of the largest annual civic festivals in Limerick City and County and represents a flagship tourism, cultural and community participation event. As per the ‘Limerick City and County Council Festivals and Events Strategy (2024 – 2028) – Embrace The Experience’, one of the key objectives for LCCC is to position Limerick as a festival and events destination for leisure, weekend breaks, day-trips and to support seasonality, to motivate and attract domestic and international visitors to Limerick and increase length of visit and dwell time (please refer to objective no. 6 on page 25 of of LCCC’s Festivals and Events Strategy (2024-2028), for reference. Furthermore, a key strategic goal for LCCC is to continue to lead and deliver an annual programme of key Council-owned events, including the St. Patrick’s Festival and International Band Championships (please refer to Goal 1 – ‘Develop’ on page 26 of the Strategy). Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) (“the Contracting Authority”) invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced event management and festival delivery companies for the provision of comprehensive event management, creative programming, stakeholder engagement, sponsorship development, operational delivery and festival management services for the Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival (2027 – 2029). The festival programme shall comprise three principal event pillars: 1. Pillar 1 - Limerick International Band Championship 2. Pillar 2 - Limerick St. Patrick’s Day Parade 3. Pillar 3 - Shamrock Street Shows and Festival Entertainment Programme The festival seeks to: • Celebrate Irish identity, culture and heritage. • Position Limerick as a leading St. Patrick’s Festival destination nationally and internationally. • Promote tourism and economic activity. • Foster community participation and inclusion. • Showcase creativity, diversity and innovation. • Strengthen links with the Irish diaspora. • Deliver high-quality visitor experiences. • Support accessibility, sustainability and universal design principles. • Generate sponsorship and partnership opportunities that support long-term festival growth. The successful implementation of this event over the next three years will aim to elevate Limerick’s St. Patrick’s Festival offering from being a ‘Regional Event’, which receives a medium tourist demand, at present to a ‘Hallmark Event’ with high tourist demand and in turn, high value.