Riverfest Limerick 2026 to Host Naval Service Flagship Open to Public Tours

1st May 2026

Jehan Ashmore

Riverfest 2026 is where the LÉ George Bernard Shaw is to be open to free public tours (weekend only) whilst docked in Limerick City, as part of the four-day festival this May Bank Holiday. The offshore patrol vessel has a crew 44 (6 Officers) and is the Naval Service’s flagship. Credit: Naval Service

The flagship of the Naval Service is to head up the Shannon Estuary to form as part of the Riverfest Limerick 2026 programme held in the city.

Limerick City and County Council is delighted to have announced the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) is due to visit Limerick Dock. Its decks will be open to the public free of charge (this weekend only) during the four-day festival this May Bank Holiday (1-4 May).

The fourth OPV90 P60 class, LÉ George Bernard Shaw, is the most modern of the Naval Service, which in total comprises eight vessels.

The OPV commissioned in 2018 plays a key role in maritime security, fisheries protection, and humanitarian operations. The naval visit to the Shannon Estuary provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet Naval Service personnel of the 44 (6 officer) crew OPV and gain first‑hand insight into life and work at sea.

The special appearance at Riverfest has been made possible through the cooperation and support of the Minister for Defense, Helen McEntee, and her department, the Irish Defense Forces; and the Shannon Foynes Port Company. The support has been warmly acknowledged by Riverfest Limerick organizers and Limerick City and County Council.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to go onboard and take a tour on the following dates:

Saturday, 2 May: 10.00am – 3.00pm

Sunday, 3 May: 10.00am – 3.00pm

Access: Entry via the Main Gate, Ted Russell Dock, Limerick Docks

The walk-up, free-access event does not require booking but is, however, subject to capacity demand.

For more details of the four-day River Fest visit: www.limerick.ie/riverfest

Published in Shannon Estuary

Tagged under

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

Email The Author

Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.