EU City of Sport Status to Boost Limerick's economy

Representatives from sports clubs and organisations in the Limerick area turned out in force to attend the official launch of Limerick's reign as European City of Sport for 2011. Limerick is the first city in Ireland to be designated European City of Sport, and the year kicked-off with a showcase event in Thomond Park Stadium on Tuesday, 25th January 2011.

Over €5 million in revenue from new sporting events has already been secured for Limerick as a result of its status as European City of Sport for 2011.

Announcing these events at the launch Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development said: "Sport is a major economic driver for Limerick as evidenced by the success of the Heineken and Magners league games, the Compromise Rules games and the 2010 Special Olympic Ireland Games."

"Limerick is already a hub of sporting activity and has a strong calendar of sports events throughout the year. Many of these events are being expanded as a result of Limerick's European City of Sport status. In addition Shannon Development has already been actively marketing Limerick as a location for new sports related events and conferences. As a result Shannon Development have secured four new high profile events that will generate €5 million in revenue spend for the City and County in 2011."

"The Company also have a strong pipeline of exciting new events which we will announce as they are finalised. Given Limerick's proximity to London and the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games, Shannon Development are already using the opportunity to showcase Limerick around the world as a top quality location for sports and conference events. The Company see this not just as a one year opportunity but over the coming years, working with our partners Limerick City and County Councils, we plan to use the status of European City of Sport to create a lasting legacy for the people of Limerick," said Dr. Cunnane.

Calling on all Limerick sports organisations to get involved with the year, Cllr Maria Byrne, Mayor of Limerick said: "Limerick has a rich and proud sporting heritage and it is incumbent on everyone involved in sport to row in and help populate the calendar of events to make it a truly memorable year for the City and greater Limerick area. We are looking forward to welcoming the thousands of athletes that will arrive in Limerick during 2011 to participate in the huge number of sporting events that are being announced. I can guarantee they will receive a very warm Limerick welcome and I know they will go away with wonderful memories of Ireland's true sporting capital."

The aim of the European City of Sport accolade is to promote sport for everyone regardless of their age, physical ability and skill level. During the launch event Shannon Development's Eoghan Prendergast outlined the preliminary 2011 calendar of sports events, among them: the four new events secured by Shannon Development: The European Duathlon Championships on 15th-17th April 2011; The World Powerlifting Championships on 11th-19th November 2011; The Single Speed World Championships cycling event on 26 - 28th Aug 2011; The EPC European Powerlifting & Singlelift Championships on 2nd-5thJune 2011. Plans are also underway for an International Sports Conference to take place in Limerick during the Autumn. The Conference will highlight the economic benefits of sports.

Shannon Development, with the support of Limerick City Council and County Council, will intensify their marketing promotion to showcase Limerick European City of Sport 2011.

Speaking about the significance of the year long event, Cllr Michael Sheahan, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said: "Today is not only a landmark day for sport in Limerick, but is just reward for the wonderful work being undertaken by the people of Limerick, with the assistance of regional development agencies, in portraying this city as the vibrant, thriving centre of culture and sport it is. Limerick prides itself on its sporting tradition and I, along with every other member of the local community, am delighted to see that the City is now being officially recognised internationally for its achievements."

Among the well known Limerick sports personalities who spoke at the event about what sport means to them were: Richie Bennis, retired Limerick Senior Hurling Manager, as a player won an All Ireland Medal with Limerick in 1973; Peter Clohessy, former Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby player, won 54 caps for Ireland; Al Finnucane, one of Limerick's finest soccer players and won 3 FAI Cup Medals (2 with Limerick and 1 with Waterford); Emily Hurley, Special Olympics Ireland 2010 'Athlete Face of the Games' and experienced horse rider; and Sean McGowan, the first Irishman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Young Limerick people who are gaining a reputation in the sports world were also in attendance, among them students from Ard Scoil Ris Limerick - Harty Cup winners in hurling; CBS Sexton Street under14 boys team, winner of the All Ireland Schools Soccer Championship; the Limerick Ladies Football team, winner of the All Ireland Ladies Junior Football Final; Crescent Comprehensive, Munster Junior Cup schools rugby winners and Crescent Comprehensive, Girls Hockey League and Cup senior schools winners.

Sports representatives attending the launch function were invited to register their interest in organising new sports events during the year under the European City of Sport umbrella. For those who were unable to attend the launch event, it is still possible to register events at www.limerick.ie or email: cityofsport@shannondevelopment.ie Tel 061-410777

Among the more unusual events planned for 2011 are; a Guinness Book of Records world record-breaking attempt for the Haka. This will be organised by students from the Event Management programme at Limerick Institute of Technology, with up to 3,500 participants taking part in front of City Hall in April to coincide with the Leinster v Munster Magners League game. The current record for the Haka is 3,268.

In recognition of the tremendous honour of achieving the European City of Sport status the theme for the 2011 St. Patrick's' Day Festival in Limerick will be 'City of Sport'. Also new is "the Fighting Irish" - an exhibition dedicated to boxing and featuring Irish American boxers from New York at the turn of the century. This exhibition is on loan from the Irish Arts Centre in New York and is on display at the University of Limerick Arena for a six-month period starting in April 2011.

Sports themed cultural events are also planned to take place in artistic venues throughout Limerick including exhibitions, conferences and lectures. The Sports History Association of Ireland will also hold its annual gathering in the city's Hunt Museum in September.

The economic benefits of sport to Limerick are very significant. It is estimated that sports events in the Shannon Region last year generated in excess of €60 million. It is hoped that the prestigious title of European City of Sport will enhance Limerick's growing international reputation as a leading centre for sports activities. It is a significant opportunity to use this important accolade to encourage more business and economic development through sports related business events and conferences.

A preliminary calendar of events is now available to view at www.limerick.ie and www.discoverlimerick.ie This calendar will be updated on a regular basis. A new IPhone application to support the year of sport will be available to download shortly.