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International Women’s Day Friday March 8.

FIVE fantastic songwriters / artists will mark International Women’s Day through songs, music and art this Friday March 8.

The night will take the shape of a ‘songwriters in the round’ gig with artists sharing a collection of original songs and selection of choice on-theme covers.

Showcasing some of Limericks finest talent is Emma Langford, JaYne, Annie Cheevers, Lúila (Gillian Eglestone) as well as Dublin artist Jennifer McMahon (Irish Women in Jazz founder).

Doors open at 8pm. There will also be a display of female-centric visual art from local artists. Art curator for the night is Tiffany Glenn. She is a hand-cut collage artist living and working in Limerick who makes art under the moniker Fannyland.

Her work is a superficially playful cultural critique, which focuses on gender, identity, and experience.

Nominated for the RTE Folk Awards Original Song of the Year, Emma Langford recently completed an extensive US tour and showcased at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City. Her outstanding track Abigail (Tomhas Ghobnatan) is part of a body of work celebrating women in Irish myth, history and folklore.

JaYne’s critically acclaimed album,’Pass The Test’ (2023), fused soul, jazz, and pop together with her timeless vocal style and has garnered widespread acclaim from Irish radio stations (RTÉ Lyric FM, RTÉ Radio 1, 2XM, 95FM and London Jazz FM) and live audiences nationwide.

Notably, she delivered a standout performance at Electric Picnic 2023, captivating fans with her dynamic stage presence and soul-stirring music.

Indie Folk artist, Annie Cheevers has been performing for just over four years. She released her debut EP Big Kid in June 2022 exploring themes of love, loss, and growing up in a rapidly changing world. A native of Boston, Annie recently finished her MFA at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL in Limerick, where she resides while growing her music career.

Lúila (aka Gillian Eglestone) is a singer/songwriter from Limerick. Starting off with a strong performing background dancing and fire performing on stages in Ibiza, appearing with The Rubberbandits and Campaign LK. Having featured in numerous music videos, an RTE documentary, TG4 and short films,she has recently returned back to Limerick after a successful music journey through Canada.

Lúila has a soulful, rock and folk feel to her music. Influenced by Dolores O’Riordan, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton and Alanis Morrissette, her music will take you on a journey of feeling and empowerment, with some rock and roll flare and a splash of old folk attitude.

Jennifer McMahon is a vocalist, songwriter, producer, performer and educator from Dublin. She began her music studies at age seven, gradually arriving at guitar and keyboard studies before focusing on voice as her main instrument in her teens.

She holds a master of Music in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) from Berklee College of Music and a BA Honors in Jazz Performance from Newpark Music Centre. Jennifer has studied with vocalists Marie Séférian, Lauren Kinsella, Jenna Harris and Olga Roman as well as saxophonists Perico Sambeat and Javier Vercher.

Jennifer’s music deals with personal and collective themes of love, loss, belonging, sensuality, compassion, and broadly embodies a search for understanding and allowance in ourselves and others; human behaviour and experience is at the heart of her work and indeed her life.



Dolans Presents Hermitage Green Live At the Docklands Limerick Saturday August 24th

Hermitage Green have announced a very special Hometown show as part of the Docklands festival on Saturday August 24th., 2024. After two Sold Out Big Top shows in December the band have gone fromstrength to strength releasing 2 new singles “Younger Days” and “All you can be” to critical acclaim.

Hermitage Green have made a large impact in a short period of time. Having released their first full-length album Save Your Soul and watching it climb the charts, they followed it up with a powerhouse EP, Gold & Amp; Rust produced by Grammy Award winning producer Matt Lawrence (Amy Winehouse, Adele, Mumford & Sons). That was followed by their last release Hi Generation produced by Irelands own Phil Magee.

Speaking at The Launch Mick Dolan says “;Hermitage Green are one of the top Live bands in the country and we are delighted they are returning to the Docklands for our 30th Anniversary celebrations. Hermitage Green continue to play a massive role in Limericks Live Music and Cultural scene. We are thrilled to have them on board and are seriously looking forward to a fantastic evening.”

Barry Murphy from Hermitage green says “Good people of Limerick, we are delighted to be returning to play in your beautiful city this Summer. It’s been a few years since we played the Docklands and we cannot wait to return with brand new music and a brand new show in what will be our biggest gig ever”

Tickets are on sale this Friday February 16th 9AM from Dolans.ie and Ticketmaster.ie

Limerick: the not-so-gritty city is one of Ireland’s overlooked gems

This handsome city on the west coast has atmospheric waterside pubs, medieval architecture, and a passion for sport and the performing arts

Vic O'Sullivan The Guardian Newspaper

Mon 4 Dec 2023 07.30 CET




Afresh Atlantic breeze blows up the estuary and rustles through a thicket of young lime trees by the Treaty Stone, the rock that witnessed the end of the Williamite war in the autumn of 1691. Just ahead, a seven-arch limestone bridge spans the Shannon River as far as the thick barrel towers of King John’s Castle. To the right, Limerick City’s quays and avenues bustle with new bars, hotels and restaurants. It’s a scene that contrasts starkly with the damp, smoky cityscape depicted in Frank McCourt’s book Angela’s Ashes.

Yet McCourt’s 1996 Pulitzer prize-winning memoir is not the only printed word out of touch with the 21st-century Treaty City. In 2021, the business magazine Forbes retracted an article that failed to meet its own editorial standards when it published a profile piece about John and Patrick Collison, founders of financial software company Stripe, who grew up near the city. The article described Limerick as some sort of gritty, gun-slinging frontier town. To some extent, this was understandable: the city is often treated as a whipping boy for urban felonies in Irish media, decades after a criminal family feud had ended.

The truth is that for a long time, Limerick has quietly enjoyed the same low crime rates as cities such as Cork and Galway. But, aesthetically, Limerick is captivating. An architectural map of Irish history unfolds along what has to be the most handsome riverfront in the country. The medieval quarter in the north of the city flows on to gleaming glass buildings and rows of Georgian redbrick townhouses. Cafes have colonised the waterways that snake in all directions, while the main streets and quays make it easy to navigate on foot or by bike.

The past sits comfortably here, despite the fact the city appears to be in a constant state of rejuvenation. Every Sunday, for centuries, Limerick has woken to the chiming of the bells of St Mary’s Cathedral. Down a labyrinth of narrow lanes under a giant canopy is the Milk Market, where the city has always congregated on Saturday morning to browse the stalls of artisan food producers. By midday the scent of coffee is in the air, and a queue has formed at David Jackson’s Flying Cheese Brigade stall, which sells locally sourced organic brands, such as aromatic, tangy St Tola cheese, as well as innovative international varieties.

It’s sport – any sport – that really gets under the skin of this city

Facing the market is Nancy Blake’s pub, where the owner, Donal Mulcahy, has curated the same dusky nostalgic vibe the place had when it was run by his mother, Nancy. It’s like walking into a 19th-century lantern-lit parlour, with a warm glow from the cast-iron fireplace. To the rear is a brick and lean-to beer garden, known by most as the Outback, where a night often ends to the sound of a saxophone and a tot of tequila. A 15-minute walk away is Dolan’s, another late-night venue offering traditional Irish music, rock and standup comedy.

This is a city that nurtures the performing arts, having given the world the Cranberries, Terry Wogan, and actors Ruth Negga and Richard Harris. Venues such as the intimate Belltable theatre on O’Connell Street or the Lime Tree theatre showcase offbeat productions, while University Concert Hall has the big-name entertainment.

But it’s sport – any sport – that really gets under the skin of this city. Limerick GAA have dominated the national sport of hurling, and are all-Ireland champions. Thomond Park Stadium – home of Munster Rugby, Shannon RFC and UL Bohemians RFC – and the new International Rugby Experience in the city centre rise like colossi over the surrounding architecture.

At night, the choice of pubs can often depend on team affiliation – Shannon RFC supporters gather at the city’s premier sports and whiskey establishment, Jerry Flannery’s Bar, which is owned by the former Irish international rugby player. On a busy sidestreet a few blocks away another bastion of rugby, Myles Breen’s Bar, has served ale from its mahogany counter for more than two centuries. Next door, the old Stella Bingo hall is where, according to a green plaque on its facade, Ireland’s biggest rock export first played as a four-piece band under the name U2.

To get a flavour of the region’s cuisine, Derek Fitzpatrick’s East Room, in a white Palladian mansion next to the university, offers a tasting menu with vegetables and herbs foraged locally and wild game or halibut, scallops and crab.


Yet Limerick at its dining best is more casual, unhurried, sustainable. Siblings Hazel and Joe Murphy operate The Buttery on Bedford Row, which is a comfort food stop with a catchy all-day brunch menu. It’s a stone’s throw from the department store Brown Thomas and the country’s largest independent book store, O’Mahony’s, which has been owned by the same family since 1902. Canteen on Catherine Street also serves daytime food. Chef-owner Paul Williams offers simple organic fare with traceable local ingredients, such as fish tacos or duck and sweet onion on flatbread.

George’s Quay, a lamp-lit laneway overlooking a canal by the Hunt Museum and Treaty City Brewery, is home to the Locke bar, one of Limerick’s finest gastropubs, with tables on a tree-lined cobbled pathway by the water. The atmospheric setting is rivalled only by the Curragower bar and restaurant, which catches the full glow of King John’s Castle reflected on the Shannon. It’s on Clancy Strand, near the Treaty Stone, and is as good a place as any to spend an evening with a pint of pale ale, a seafood pie and the best view in town.



Another Win for Dolans at the Irish Pub Awards

DOLANS have scooped Best Music Pub at the Irish Pub Awards 2023 This award is sponsored by IMRO. The National Irish Pub Awards are open to all members of Vintners’ Federation of Ireland. The national winners in each category and the overall winner was announced at the Gala Awards final on November 15 in The Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin 2.
Mick Dolan commented, “Thank you!, we are delighted to win the VFI Pubs regional winners for Best Music Pub.”
The Dock Road venue recently celebrated winning the People’s Choice Award at the Irish Bar of the Year awards in August and Best Venue in Munster at the Imro Awards in January

Limerick Pride Chairperson gets national recognition at GALA awards

The work of the Chairperson of Limerick Pride has been given national recognition.

Limerick's Lisa Daly received the Volunteer of the Year award at this year's GALA awards.

The GALAs honour those who work towards a better future for LGBT+ people in Ireland. 

Lisa Daly has been working with Limerick Pride for a decade and is credited to growing the festival over that time. 

She says being honoured nationally is a personal 'pinch me moment'...

The GALAs encourage and reward those LGBT+ people who give of themselves for the greater good of their community, to show them that their efforts do not go unsung and that they are an incredible resource which we all value beyond measure.

The GALAS also celebrate people in public life who have committed themselves to equality and positive representation for LGBT+ people. Leaders, whether they be in politics or the media, who give a message of diversity and equality are of great importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

They influence Ireland for the greater good and move our society towards a more inclusive and equal state.

The GALAS also celebrate our rich and innovative culture, honouring the entertainers, artists, writers, and events that go into making Ireland a vibrant and exciting place to be. The awards celebrate entertainers and broadcasters in the public eye who are happy to be out and proud, giving a message of hope and inclusiveness to everyone watching

Limerick Jazz Festival 2023

The Limerick Jazz Festival 2023 takes centre stage from 20 – 24 September. Prepare for a symphony of unparalleled talent, blending Irish and International jazz virtuosos.

Supported by the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council, this year's festival puts a spotlight on the trailblazing women who have shaped and continue to redefine the world of jazz. Luminaries like the enchanting Honor Heffernan, the piano prodigy Carol Nelson, the captivating vocalist Beverly Beirne, and the star saxophonist Camilla George from the UK. 

And that's just the beginning! The festival's hits all the right notes with an all-star quintet led by the masterful Tim Garland, a multi-award winning UK saxophonist and composer, joined by the unparalleled Jason Rebello on keyboards. 

Hold onto your high-hats as the Conor Guilfoyle group resurrects the timeless allure of "Art Pepper plus Eleven" in a big band recreation. The festival is also proud to present Joe O'Callaghan, a local luminary with national acclaim, leading a group that i's sure to resonate with every note. 

Enjoy a full-blown jazz experience that culminates in the much-anticipated Sunday afternoon triple bill concert at Dolan's Warehouse. The festival brings you the dynamic Lee Meehan Quintet, the soul-stirring Nigel Mooney Quartet featuring the illustrious Jean Toussaint, and the brilliance of Nils Kavanagh, crowned as the Young Irish Jazz Musician 2022. 

John Daly, the maestro behind the Limerick Jazz Society, expressed his anticipation:

"Our 12th Limerick Jazz Festival is on the horizon, and we can't wait to fill September with the magic of jazz. Building on last year's resounding success, this year's lineup is set to dazzle. With fringe events popping up across the city, we're reaching out to every music lover. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council for making this possible." 

Get ready for a celebration of rhythm, melody and soul at Limerick Jazz Festival 2023.  

New Irish music show Buille to air on TG4

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The likes of Sorcha Richardson, Susan O'Neill, Hermitage Green and more appear on the show from Dolan's, Limerick.

Abrand new, exciting music show is aiming to shine a light on some of the most talented and diverse musicians in Ireland today.

Buille is filmed in front of a live audience in the iconic Dolan’s in Limerick – one of the country’s best and buzziest music venues. Presenters Eve Belle and Cian McCarthy were on hand to showcase an eclectic mix of top-tier performances, featuring everything from hip-hop and indie to jazz, rock and R&B.

Stand-out performances included a storming set from Sorcha Richardson, hot off the back of a stellar turn at Electric Picnic, a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Glow of the Kerosene Light’ by hometown heroes Hermitage Green and sultry vocals from up-and-coming Cork R&B singer Minnie Marley.

Intimate chats with the presenters in the Upstairs @ Dolan’s space, and exclusive and bespoke acoustic performances give insights into our performers’ lives, loves and musical processes – and everything in between.

Episode one starts with Limerick legends Hermitage Green, R&B queen and BBC Introducing presenter Gemma Bradley, Irish language collective IMLÉ and new music by the up-and-coming Abe Soare. Episode two involves trad fusion band Moxie, Síomha, Emma Langford and rapper Ushmush.

In the third episode, Soda Blonde, hip-hop singer Minnie Marley, Banríon and Pearse McGloughlin take the reins before The Riptide Movement, Padraig Jack, T.A. Narrative and Eve Belle in episode four.

In episode five, Sorcha Richardson, Limerick rapper Hazey Haze, Clare Sands and the up-and-coming singer songwriter Amy McNamara take to the stage before the final episode of Susan O’Neill, Limerick artist Strange Boy, Megan Nic Ruairí and poet Stephen James Smith.

Buille will be broadcast on TG4 from Sunday, 16th April at 10:30pm for 6 weeks. All episodes can be streamed on the TG4 player from 16th April.

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