Pictured: Deputy Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr. Kieran O’Hanlon, Eimear Brophy, Further Education and Training Manager, Enterprise Engagement, at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Joe Leddin, The Mid West Regional Skills Forum Manager and Helen Brown, UL.
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is delighted to announce a number of free events which will be held at the College to coincide with this year’s Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival. Taking place from Monday 27th March to Sunday 2nd April, this year’s festival theme is Come Learn with Me in 2023 and features over 160 free events and activities to choose from throughout the week both online and in-person. MIC is holding over a dozen free events, lectures and workshops offering something of interest to everyone.
According to Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise & Community Engagement Manager at MIC: “We are delighted to partner with Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival again this year and support the message that learning is lifelong. We have a really exciting schedule of events covering everything from hands-on skills like glass-making, drumming and astronomy, to musical performances, child and parent events, fascinating public lectures, theatre performances and information sessions on pathways to education, so there really is something for everyone.”
The MIC schedule of events includes:
Think, Play, Imagine - Parent & Toddler Event
Date: Monday 27 March 2023
Location: G70, MIC Limerick campus
Time: 10am – 12pm
More information: Parents/guardians and toddlers are invited to this playful event during which we will play, sing and dance, make-believe and tell a story or two! We will problem-solve and investigate, and find out how picture books can become sources of play and learning. Adults will have a chance to chat, share ideas and learn a little about how their children learn and develop. Toddlers will be invited to explore our exciting environment and resources set up especially for them. This event is delivered by Early Childhood Care and Education lecturers and students in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Light snacks will be provided for the participants and all relevant facilities will be available. Please note that parents/guardians have to accompany their children at all times throughout the event and will remain responsible for their children. This is an inclusive event designed in particular for toddlers aged between 18 months and 3 years, but please email Alicja at alicja.mccloskey@mic.ul.ie if you have any questions. You can register your free place at this event by clicking here.
Arts For All Day
Date: Tuesday 28 March 2023
Location: MIC Limerick
Time: 9.30am – 8pm
More information: This day-long celebration of the arts with a strong intercultural focus will take place across at MIC with a wide variety of events including live music and theatre performances, workshops, public lectures and panel discussions. You can find the full schedule of 12 free public events by clicking here.
Setting Up and Using Your Telescope: A Practical Workshop
Date: Tuesday 28 March 2023
Location: G10
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
More information: Got a new telescope for Christmas? Have a telescope still in its box gathering dust? This hands on workshop is designed for anyone who owns a telescope and would like some expert help in setting it up and using it successfully. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own telescope for direct practical assistance. Weather permitting, the workshop will conclude with an observing session highlighting some of the month's night sky objects. This workshop is hosted by Limerick Astronomy Club and is aimed at adults. For further information please email Angela.Hayes@mic.ul.ie
“Bridges of Limerick and Future Bridges, while bridging generations”
Date: Wednesday 29 March
Location: CRAFTMaker Space, MIC
Time: 4pm
More information: Dr Paul O’Brien together with the CRAFT Maker Space team are inviting multiple generations (grandparent and grandchild; aunt and niece, any combination from two different generations in fact!) to get together and join us for this novel workshop to celebrate Lifelong Learning in Limerick. Come along and learn about the renowned bridges of Limerick and then have a chance to design and make your own bridge with your young engineer. Suitable for adults and children aged 5 and up. For more information or to book please contact the CRAFTMaker Space at craftmaker@mic.ul.ie.
Introduction to Mary Immaculate College for mature students
Date: Thursday 30 March 2023
Location: G10
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
More information: Join us for an information session on the pathways and supports available to mature students. This session will have information on the Teacher Education Access Programme (TEAP) and the Pre-University Programme (PUP). It will detail resources - academic, financial and other - that are available to mature students and there will also be an opportunity to speak with current mature students attending the college. Light refreshments will be available. Booking essential through Eventbrite. You can register your free place by clicking here.
Play, Sing and Discover - Parent & Baby Event
Date: Thursday 30 March 2023
Location: G70, MIC Limerick campus
Time: 10am until 12pm
More information: Parents/guardians and babies are invited to this playful event during which we will play, sing, make music and discover mystery objects! We will learn using all of our senses and find out how everyday items can become sources of play and learning. Adults will have a chance to chat, share ideas and learn a little about how their children learn. Children will be invited to explore our welcoming environment and resources set up especially for them. This event is delivered by Early Childhood Care and Education lecturers and students in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Light snacks will be provided for the participants and all relevant facilities will be available. Please note that parents/guardians have to accompany their children at all times throughout the event and will remain responsible for their children. This is an inclusive event designed in particular for babies aged up to 18 months, but please email Alicja at alicja.mccloskey@mic.ul.ie if you have any questions. You can register your free place by clicking here.
Open Rehearsal with MIC Community Choir
Date: Thursday 30 March 2023
Location: G38
Time: 1pm – 2.30pm
More information: MIC Community Choir are delighted to offer an open rehearsal as part of Limerick Lifelong Learning Week. Anyone is welcome to participate in the open rehearsal to get a feel for what it's like to participate in a community choir.
This year’s Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival was launched at a special event at Limerick City Hall by Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon. According to Cllr O’Hanlon: “The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival has expanded and grown over the years. The festival now reaches beyond the core of the city and established training and educational organisations into local communities across the city and county. The range of organisations involved in workshops and events, and participation has increased enormously since this first started. This is a mark of commitment to promoting learning in all its forms and the interest in lifelong learning across all groups in society and the general public.”
There are over 160 free events and activities taking place across Limerick during the festival. You can find the full schedule by clicking here.
