Failte — Welcome!
The Spokane-Limerick Sister Society officially began on March 4, 1990 when a joint agreement linking the two cities was signed in Spokane by the Mayors of Spokane and Limerick. Foremost among the objectives of the relationship is to foster and encourage bonds of friendship and understanding between our two cities and to bring events of Irish culture to Spokane.
In the past 17 years, we have formed a strong bond of friendship. Many delegations from Spokane and Limerick have strengthened that bond. Most recently was a trade mission to Limerick led by the Mayor of Spokane and a return visit to Spokane by a delegation led by Limerick’s Lord Mayor to attend the Sister City International Conference.
Other exchange highlights include the dedication of the Spokane Walk along the Shannon River during an eighty-delegate visit to Limerick in 1991; faculty exchanges between Eastern Washington University and the University of Limerick; city employee exchanges; and amateur theater group exchanges.
Irish cultural events in Spokane include yearly visits and updates on Irish/American issues from the Irish Consul General of San Francisco; the premier showing of the documentary film “Out of Ireland,” by noted Irish historian and musician Mick Maloney; performances by comedian Hal Roach; theater presentations on the life of Brendan Behan by Irish actor Shay Duffin; and the premier showing of the acclaimed video about Irish musicians in the north of Ireland, “The Farmer Musicians of County Sligo.” This video, which has been shown nationwide in both Ireland the USA, was filmed on location by Spokane resident and Limerick Society member Michael Lynch, who is on the faculty of Spokane Community College. He partnered on the project with Dr. David Such. The video is an engaging lyrical experience with the farmer musicians of the Sligo area who are credited with helping keep traditional Irish music alive.
Limerick Sister City
Limerick, with a population of 80,000 is an ancient city, receiving its charter in 1197. It is the largest city on Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard and is a thriving regional capitol on the shores of the River Shannon. The region is one of rolling hills, mountains and lakes.
Today’s Limerick is a modern urban community with great cultural and economic resources. It enjoys close ties with the Shannon Development Corp., the arm of the national government that promotes business, education, and tourism industries. Plassey Park, a technological park and business incubator which accommodates 70 different organizations, is a model of excellence. There are four colleges located in Limerick. The largest is the very progressive University of Limerick, which is composed of three colleges: Business, Engineering and Science, and Humanities. Thumond College of Education and the smaller Mary Immaculate College are both dedicated to the mission of forming well-educated, professional skilled teachers.
Limerick Membership
The Limerick Sister City Society is the largest of the four Spokane Sister City Societies. Membership in the society qualifies you to participate in our official trips to Limerick and Ireland, the opportunity to meet with Limerick’s Lord Mayor and delegation while in Spokane and participation in the many informative and fun events held by the society throughout the year. Annual membership dues are Individual – $15.00, Family – $25.00 (no matter how large), and Business – $50.00. All members receive an official membership card, an invitation to the hosted Annual Membership Appreciation Event at O’Doherty’s Irish Grille, and great placement for marching in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Gala Parade. Dues can be sent to the Limerick Sister City Society, P.O. Box 251, Spokane, WA 99210.
For further information, please contact society president, Kerry Lynch, at (509) 325-3220 and join the more than 250 members of the Limerick Sister City Society. For more information, see our website at spokanelimerick.com.
To visit the Limerick web site: www.limerickcity.ie
When Erin first rose from the dark swelling flood
God bless’d the green Island, and saw it was good;
The em’rald of Europe it sparkled and shone–
In the ring of the world the most precious stone.
(William Drennan Erin, 1754)