Limerick Gift Card goes live in the city and county

A new Limerick Gift Card has launched as part of efforts to support local businesses by locking in spending and attracting new spending to the county.

Backed by Limerick City and County Council and Limerick Chamber, the gift card is available as either a physical gift card or an e-card that can be added to digital wallets. Cards can be spent in the city and surrounding towns, including Newcastle West, Adare, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Rathkeale.

Over 140 businesses, including independent businesses and well-known Irish brands such as Penneys and Brown Thomas, accept the new Limerick Gift Card.

John Moran, Mayor of Limerick said: “Local retail businesses are key to a vibrant Limerick. They provide essential shopping and services, employment and broader support in our communities.  But it is not a one-way street. They need our support too. A little adjustment by each of us in how we spend this Christmas will make a huge collective difference to them. These innovative cards make that easy for us all! Please think local this year!”

The Limerick Gift Card is part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Card concept active across Ireland in Ballinrobe, Carndonagh, Drogheda, Letterkenny, Sligo and Waterford. Over €7 million Town & City Gift Cards were sold in Ireland in 2023, with around 80% of sales to organisations for staff rewards and incentives.

Newly launched technology from Miconex allows Irish organisations to distribute digital Limerick Gift Cards to their staff, clients and customers online to multiple participants at once, immediately or on a future date.

Liam Dwan, manager of Brown Thomas said it’s a card for everyone: “Brown Thomas is located on O’Connell Street at the centre of Limerick’s main shopping district and as one of Ireland’s leading department stores, we were keen to get involved with the Limerick Gift Card. What’s great about the card is the choice on offer. With one card, recipients can go shopping in Limerick’s best stores, grab a bite to eat or a coffee, or even stay over. It’s a card that caters for everyone.”

Penneys store manager Noel McNamara adds: “Penneys Limerick is delighted to be collaborating with fellow Limerick businesses on this exciting new gift card for our city and county. People often visit the city for the high street stores, but will stay to discover other businesses too, and this has a positive impact on everyone. We know from our own  Penneys gift cards that people spend over and above the value on the cards, all benefiting our local economy and helping Limerick to thrive.”

Alongside city businesses, a range of Limerick county businesses are participating in the program, like Isobel’s Boutique in Adare. Kay Mulcaire is the owner of the store and said the card is straightforward and appealing:

“The fact you can buy a digital version of the card which can be added to digital wallets is fantastic. Lots of people pay using their phones now, so it makes supporting local really convenient. It’s also ideal for last-minute gifts, as people can buy the digital card online and send it to the recipient in moments. People want to support local, but it has to be easy, and the new Limerick Gift Card is straightforward and appealing.”

Hospitality businesses including restaurants, cafés and pubs are also accepting the card, like multi-award winning pub Mother Macs on High Street and Upper Denmark Street.

Michael McMahon, owner of Mother Macs, said the card provides much-needed support for the hospitality sector: “Supporting local has always been at the heart of what we do at Mother Macs Public House, and the Limerick City Gift Card aligns perfectly with that ethos. It’s a simple yet impactful way to champion our city’s incredible mix of retailers, hospitality venues, and cultural gems.”

A range of accommodation providers are also accepting the Limerick Gift Card, like Deebert House Hotel. Margaret O’Sullivan, manager of the hotel, commented: “Nestled at the foothills of the Ballyhoura Mountains, Deebert House is family-run and an ideal base for exploring the Ballyhoura region. The tourism potential of the Limerick Gift Card is exciting as people can use it for a curated experience of Limerick, from a place to stay to places to shop, eat and explore.”

Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber highlights the commission-free nature of the card: “The launch of the Limerick Gift Card is a positive move for Limerick city and our county towns. Every euro gifted will be a euro back in our local economy. With zero commission for businesses to accept the card and no additional cost to the purchaser – this is a hugely positive incentive for businesses to help reinvigorate their turnover.

“It is also a fantastic initiative for friends, families, employers and loved ones – even those overseas who can order online, to support the Limerick Gift card and help support local jobs this Christmas. It’s a powerful show of support for Limerick businesses, and a way that we can all play our part to support businesses in Limerick.

“If you are an employer in the region, we would ask you to consider supporting this initiative for your employees. In addition to injecting spend into Limerick through consumer and corporate sales, the gift card will bring new revenue into the region in the form of tourism and diaspora buying for locals.”

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said the new technology makes it easy for Limerick organisations to support local: “In our 2024 research with organisations, 89% said supporting local businesses and their community was important. And it’s key for employees too with 94% saying it is important that the organisation they work for supports local businesses. The Limerick Gift Card makes support for local simple.”

Cards are available to buy online, or in person at Limerick Chamber, 96 O’Connell St Limerick V94 YYP6. Pre-Load Option: Pick up your card in-store physically and preload your preferred amount online, pickup is available at: Franklins Shoes, Gleesons Spar (Catherine St, Henry St), Tadhg O’Connor Hardware-Adare, Rathkeale and Newcastle West. Corporate purchases can be made online.

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