Limerick’s Pig ‘n’ Porter to Get Underway this Weekend! Posted on July 12th, 2010
Colourful flags celebrating the Pig’nPorter Festival are flying from Limerick city’s bridges this week as the world’s largest tag rugby festival gets underway!
More than 4,000 people are expected in Limerick as a record 140 teams- the largest participation EVER- travel to the popular sporting blitz.
Old Crescent RFC in association with the Irish Tag Rugby Association (ITRA) will host the 9th annual Pig ‘n’ Porter Tag Rugby Festival at their grounds in Rosbrien, Limerick between Friday, July 16th and Sunday, July 18th 2010.
This year’s three day event which is sponsored by Heinz will also feature for the first time a hockey blitz, an underage tag rugby expo and the inaugural Pig on a Spit cooking competition on Sunday afternoon which is set to become a huge attraction.
Festival organisers are particularly excited about the FREE Sunday Family Fun Day which is a new addition to the Pig’nPorter line-up.
“Sunday is set to be a fantastic day with lots of children’s entertainment and lots of very tasty and free food with our Pig on a Spit competition! We still have a few spaces left in our underage tag event but the rest of the competition is completely sold out,” said Padraic O’Connor, organiser.
“We’re very proud that the Pig n’ Porter has been growing steadily over the last nine years. We would like to thank Heinz for coming on board as our title sponsor and also thank Shannon Development for their support.”
More than 70% of players are from outside the Mid- West and hotels across Limerick city are reporting brisk business for this weekend.
Liz Godfrey, The Clarion Hotel’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager said the Pig ‘n’ Porter event is yet again another excellent sporting success to the region.
“It has gone from strength to strength each year which is a credit to the organising committee and all those involved. The Clarion Hotel Limerick is delighted to be a proud supporter of the Pig n Porter event. We have seen a lot of guests who have stayed with us over the previous years booking again this year which is a testament to the great, fun atmosphere that it brings to the city,” she added.
A full colour Festival Guide can be found in shops, pubs and outlets across Limerick and downloaded from here.
Maresa Cagney, Marketing Manager from HJ Heinz said: “Heinz Tomato Ketchup is delighted to support the 2010 Pig ‘n’P orter Festival. The event has grown steadily throughout its nine years to emerge this year as a weekend-long event that all the family can enjoy. The Pig n’Porter is the leading festival of its kind in the world so it is only fitting that it is supported by another world leader, Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Eoghan Prendergast, Limerick Development Division Manager with Shannon Development said the fact that the majority of the tag rugby teams who have already signed up for the event are from outside the Limerick area is great recognition of the appeal of the city as a location for major sports events.
“We are delighted to support this wonderful Festival which is organised so ably by Old Crescent RFC. It is events like these which help to grow Limerick’s reputation for hosting superb sporting events. Those of us from Limerick have long recognised the city’s reputation as Ireland’s sports capital, but Shannon Development was delighted to have worked with Limerick City Council to recently secure international recognition for the city as a European City of Sport for 2011. We must remember that it is home grown events like the Pig’n’ Porter Festival which truly demonstrate Limerick’s proud sporting tradition.”
The event kicks off this Friday, July 16th when comedian Jon Kenny supported by John Spillane is Live at “The Piggery”, the festival’s 7,000 sq ft marquee in Old Crescent.
Tickets for the concert are €22.50 and available from Ticketmaster for this once off show.
On Saturday, July 17th, the main event, the Pig ‘n Porter Tag Rugby Festival takes place and throughout the day, the iconic pig will be roasting on a spit ahead of the legendary Pig n’ Porter BBQ.
When the prizes have been handed out and the weary bodies have had a chance to recover, the festival continues into the early hours with live ballad sessions, a live band, flame throwers, a bouncy castle and a disco.
On Sunday, July 18th, the inaugural Pig on a Spit competition takes place as well as the underage tag rugby blitz and plenty of live music.
Weekend Tickets for the event priced at €10 are available from the organising committee or from www.pignporter.com
Sunday is FREE ENTRY.
Further information is also available from the same website.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact: Laura Ryan, Communications Executive, Limerick Communications Office, tel 061-400010
