Limerick Wild Geese Festival

18/07/2026

14/07/2026

The 8th consecutive annual flag-raising ceremony commemorating the Flight of the Wild Geese and celebrating the longstanding friendship between Ireland and France was held last Sunday at the UN Peace Memorial with the support of members of the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces as well as veterans from the ONE, the French Foreign Legion and the Royal British Legion of Ireland. The French, Irish and European anthems were performed by the Saint Mary’s Prize Band. The civic ceremony, during which Príomh Chomhairleoir Cllr Tom Ruddle delivered a speech on behalf of the Mayor of Limerick, was MC’d by the Honorary Consul of France Loïc Guyon and attended by the French embassy’s Cultural Counsellor Xavier d’Argoeuves and LCCC Deputy Director General Joe Delaney (representing Dr Pat Daly).

14/07/2026

The 8th consecutive annual flag-raising ceremony commemorating the Flight of the Wild Geese and celebrating the longstanding friendship between Ireland and France was held last Sunday at the UN Peace Memorial with the support of members of the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces as well as veterans from the ONE, the French Foreign Legion and the Royal British Legion of Ireland. The French, Irish and European anthems were performed by the Saint Mary’s Prize Band. The civic ceremony, during which Príomh Chomhairleoir Cllr Tom Ruddle delivered a speech on behalf of the Mayor of Limerick, was MC’d by the Honorary Consul of France Loïc Guyon and attended by the French embassy’s Cultural Counsellor Xavier d’Argoeuves and LCCC Deputy Director General Joe Delaney (representing Dr Pat Daly).

14/07/2026

13/07/2026

Our annual Wild Geese banquet was held in the magnificent surroundings of The Hunt Museum this year. 60 lucky ticket holders were welcomed by the festival organisers Michelle Daly-Hayes, Lorna Moloney, Randel Hodkinson, Anthony Gaffney and Fionnula Bromell in the museum’s front courtyard with a glass of Crémant de Bourgogne kindly offered by Mickey Martin’s, and delicious canapés prepared by chef George Casey. Guests then moved to the stunning Captain’s Room which was transformed for the occasion by Ricky O’Shea’s team into a superb banquet hall. They enjoyed a 5-course menu designed by George Casey served with French wines sponsored by Russells Select Bar, water sponsored by Ballygowan and a glass of baby Guinness prepared with some Yankee Clipper Coffee Liqueur, the latest addition to the Thomond Gate Limerick Whiskey family! Limerick was proudly represented by our Mayor John Moran and France by the French Embassy’s Honorary Consul Loïc Guyon and Cultural Counsellor Xavier d’Argoeuves. One of the highlights of the evening was an amazing interpretation of French operatic arias by mezzo-soprano Gina Oberoi-Engela and soprano Deborah Bulgarelli , accompanied by pianist Irina Derniva, thanks to the Limerick Opera Festival with whom we partnered for the second consecutive year. A wonderful celebration of the friendship between Limerick and France. We are very grateful to the Hunt Museum for hosting our event in such a special venue.

13/07/2026

12/07/2026

Over the past two days, Saint Mary's Cathedral, Limerick has been delighted to welcome hundreds of visitors as part of this year's Wild Geese Festival.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who visited the cathedral and helped make the festival such a memorable celebration of our shared history and heritage.
Pictured are the Curate Assistant, the Rev'd Scott E. Elliott, who, on behalf of the Dean of Limerick, the Very Rev'd Niall J. W. Sloane, welcomed the festival organisers, Michelle Daly and Randel Hodkinson, to the cathedral.
📷 Photograph courtesy of Deirdre Power.

12/07/2026

12/07/2026