LIMERICK SKIES TO COME ALIVE FOR THE NATIONAL LOTTERY SKYFEST
Wednesday, 24th February 2010
AS PART OF THE 2010 ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
National Lottery Skyfest travels West for a Saturday 13th March performance
Press Release
Limerick skies will come alive with a kaleidoscope of colour as they play host to this year’s National Lottery Skyfest taking place on Saturday, 13th March, as part of the national St. Patrick’s Festival celebrations.
King John’s Castle, situated at the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter and overlooking the River Shannon, will provide the backdrop to the spectacular show. The Treaty city’s skyline and the magnificent Shannon river will offer an outstanding canvas for this fireworks extravaganza that is The National Lottery Skyfest, as part of the National St. Patrick Festival celebrations. Pre-show activity kicks off in the city from 6.00pm, where St. Patrick’s Festival has programmed an exciting lead up to the event with on-street performers from Galway street theatre group Arcanna to wow the crowds before the main spectacle.
Arcanna will treat the crowds to the ultimate outdoor production and will also open the 2010 National Lottery Skyfest in spectacular style. Ensuring those at home can share in the celebrations, the show will be broadcast live on RTE 1 on Saturday 13th from 7.30pm followed by a special National Lottery Lotto draw live from Limerick City at 8.00pm.
Yearlong dedication and planning is required to create and produce such a visual sensation. 1.5 tones of fireworks with over 1,500 shots will take over 8 days to set up, resulting in explosive celebration. An estimated crowd of 60,000 are expected to view the show from Limerick City with a further 15,000 to enjoy the spectacle from outlying areas.
Internationally renowned and award-wining fireworks company, Pains Fireworks, has developed this unique show and promises a night time show to remember for the Shannon-side city. “This is the third time we have staged the spectacle National Lottery Skyfest outside of Dublin and we are really looking forward to seeing Limerick enjoy the show we have created for them. It will of course be a magnificent fireworks display, but we have also programmed a really engaging evening of pre-show entertainment so spectators can come in to the City early and make it a real night to remember. We are delighted with the support and encouragement we have received from the people of Limerick, Shannon Development Authority, the City and County Council and all major stakeholders supporting our visit to Limerick. We know it will be a major tribute to the City of Limerick on a national and international level,” said Susan Kirby, CEO St. Patrick’s Festival.
The National Lottery Skyfest pyrotechnic extravaganza will be set off to a carefully crafted soundtrack especially compiled for the event by RTE 2FM’s Jenny Greene and coordinated to the fireworks display. “It is amazing to be part of such a massive event. Mixing the soundtrack was great fun but adding fireworks into the mix brought its own challenges. Compiling an initial list of tracks I wanted to use then narrowing them down to what would work with fireworks was a whole different ball game. Thinking in colour was a new skill I had to pick up pretty quickly, but thankfully I think we pulled it off and hopefully the music will add an extra dimension to what promises to be a jaw dropping display,” said RTE 2FM presenter Jenny Greene.
“The National Lottery is delighted to bring Skyfest to Limerick. Skyfest never fails to amaze and this year will be bigger than ever with 1.5 tonnes of fireworks. It promises to be a St. Patrick’s weekend to remember for all the family,” said Dermot Griffin, Chief Executive, National Lottery. “There’ll be lots of entertainment on offer and to add to the festivities on St. Patrick’s weekend, we’re broadcasting our Lotto draw live from Arthur’s Quay Park in Limerick City. To make it extra special, we’re also adding an extra €2 million to the Lotto jackpot on Saturday 13 March 2010,” added Mr Griffin.
In addition to St. Patrick’s Festival National Lottery Skyfest, Limerick will host its very own ‘I love Limerick’ themed St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th plus lots of other events to mark our national day.
The national St, Patrick’s Festival is six-day celebration running from Friday 12th until Wednesday 17th March. Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, St Patrick’s Festival promises the very best in street theatre, an explosive fireworks display, traditional and contemporary Irish music, comedy, visual arts, dance, a treasure hunt, GaelSpraoi Irish language events, family fun and of course the world’s best St. Patrick’s Festival Parade. Get on board the Carousel of fun and make the Festival yours! Check out www.stpatricksfestival.ie for a full list of events, follow us on Twitter @stpatricksfest or be our friend on Facebook Patricks Fest.
You can also download the Festival App by texting PATSFEST to 51315* or visit The App Store for the free iPhone App. * Cost of text is standard rate text (max 14 cent). Free iPhone Ap on iTunes App Store.
ENDS
For more information, images and interviews please contact:
Alison Kelly / Paula Donaghy
086 195 5722 / 085 121 8495
alison@insightconsultants.ie / paula@insightconsultants.ie / press@stpatricksfestival.ie
Note to Editors:
•Fireworks are designed and produced by Pains Fireworks http://www.painsfireworks.com • National Lottery Skyfest festivities begin from 6pm and will be over by 8pm • *Subject to licence*