Limerick to host Festival of Kindness
Limerick will host a free Festival of Kindness, from March 13-17, it was announced today.
The initiative has been organised from Pay it Forward Limerick - a team of local volunteers and businesses.
“The goal is to spread positivity throughout Limerick's community by hosting various events that are energised by the power of kindness so that Paying it Forward becomes a way of life and something everyone does on a daily basis,” said organisers.
A free family fun day will take place on Bedford Row, Limerick from 11-3pm on Saturday, March 13.
Children can get their faces painted, enjoy free arts and crafts, pet new lambs and puppies in the baby animals corner.
There will also be time to relax with a chill out zone with free massages and relaxation techniques from qualified physical therapists.
A Walking on Water Day will take place in the University of Limerick on Sunday, with free kayaking and a universal access excursion for wheelchair users and the visually impaired.
Monday will see more than 400 local scouts will carry out acts of kindness throughout Limerick including special deliveries to the city’s unsung heroes like members of the emergency services.
There will also be a ‘Get to know your Neighbour Day’ and free stress management workshops for local businesses.
Throughout the festival weekend there will be free live music and kindness zones throughout Limerick city centre, surprise flash mobs from Limerick’s third level students and acts of kindness throughout local schools before the festival finishes on St Patrick’s Day when volunteers join in the St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Limerick Kindness Festival spokesman, Michael O’Mahony, said the festival is being organised by local people who want promote its communities and its people in a positive light, by paying it forward.
“We believe there is an inbuilt goodness in everyone; people carry out acts of kindness, compassion and support for friends, family and even complete strangers every day throughout Limerick and beyond and we want to build on this,” he explained.
“With Pay it Forward you don’t expect anything in return for your effort but hope that the person you have helped and been kind to will pass on the good deed and spread the kindness.
“A huge amount of effort has been put in by many volunteers to this month’s festival and we’re hoping that as many Limerick people as possible get behind it to make the inaugural event a success.”
