Campus Tours
Sunday and Monday afternoon
Get your bearings and discover the ins and outs of the University of Limerick campus! These guided tours will highlight all the key areas we'll be using throughout Alumni Week, helping you feel right at home and ready to make the most of your time in Limerick. It's the perfect way to get acquainted with our home for the week.
After your tour is an ideal time to enjoy the beautiful river walk from campus to the city. Use your complimentary ticket to King John’s Castle and step back into the 17th century when the castle experienced five sieges. The walls were severely damaged during the 1642 siege and the characters on site will share their stories with you.
Painting with Kesra
Monday
Unleash your inner artist with alumna Kesra as she guides you through the vibrant world of Gouache painting. Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this session offers a fantastic opportunity to learn a new skill, express your creativity, and connect with fellow alumni. All supplies will be provided!
UWP Music Bingo
Monday, Thursday, Friday
Ready to test your knowledge of Up with People's iconic music? Join us for UWP Music Bingo, where we'll be playing hits from every era’s shows, spanning the 1960s to the 2020s! Sing along, tap your feet, and see if you can be the first to call "Bingo!" Fun, camaraderie, and awesome prizes await!
Singles Mix & Mingle
Monday and Wednesday
Looking to connect with other single Up with People alumni during Alumni Week? Join us for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It's a great chance to chat, laugh, and perhaps even spark a new connection with fellow Uppies from around the globe.
Welcome Reception
Monday Evening
Kick off Alumni Week with friends old and new at our Welcome Reception! Join us in The Stables Bar on campus for a relaxed evening of mingling, reconnecting, and setting the stage for an unforgettable week in Limerick. A light supper will be provided, so come hungry for good food and great company!
Welcome to Limerick: UWPIAA Annual General Meeting
Tuesday morning
Join your UWPIAA Board of Governors for our Annual General Meeting! This is your chance to meet the leaders who steer our association, get key updates on their roles and the impactful initiatives from the past year, and discover what exciting plans are on the horizon for our alumni community.
The Culture and People of Ireland with Anca Minescu, Associate Professor UL
Tuesday
Master in Psychology of Global Mobility, Inclusion and Diversity in Societies/ European Academic Consortium Coordinator
Description to follow
The Language of Peace Panel Discussion
Tuesday afternoon
A brief glimpse into the history spanning over 800 years of the island and the journey through the "Troubles"—a conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted for about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998—and the mechanics of the "Peace Process". Hear from local expert, Paul Smyth and from our panel of alumni from both N Ireland and Ireland about this complex conflict. What can we learn from how peace was negotiated that we can apply to today’s conflicts internationally and in our own communities?
Kindred Spirits - Choctaw Nation and the Irish - Midleton County Council
Tuesday afternoon
Choctaw and Irish History - Cork County Council representatives will tell the story of how the
Choctaw nation is intertwined in Irish History—Two ancient peoples. A modern-day connection. Nothing divides the Choctaw people from the Irish except for the ocean.
Diversity and Inclusion with Anca Minescu, Associate Professor UL
Wednesday
Master in Psychology of Global Mobility, Inclusion and Diversity in Societies/ European Academic Consortium Coordinator
Description to follow
Women’s Health: AI Can Assist You by Hedde Lundgren
Wednesday
Join us for a down-to-earth talk on women’s health, self-care, and learn how a dash of AI might just help everyone at home!
Yoga Nidra Relaxation Session by Christine Desmond
Wednesday and Friday
Yoga Nidra and NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) are both practices, while lying down, that use breath and body awareness to induce deep relaxation. Join this 30-minute session to experience the equivalent of 2 to 4 hours of deep, restful sleep, reducing stress, improving focus, emotional balance, and overall well-being.
UWP Skills in the Workplace by Heather Reilly, former Company Manager at Cirque du Soleil
Wednesday
Who knew your time with Up with People would give you a professional edge today? In this session, we’ll explore how the skills you gained on the road like adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and cross-cultural communication are powerful assets at any career stage. Whether you’re just starting out or reinventing yourself later in life, join us to reconnect with your "Uppie" strengths and learn how to put them to work!
“Leveraging your UWP Experience: Becoming an Expert Storyteller” by McKell Neilson
Thursday
Competitive public speaker, McKell Neilson, will assist alumni in learning the important steps to becoming an expert storyteller by learning to create connection with one’s audience, establish relevance, use of humour and ensuring one’s story is memorable.
In Conversation with Paul Colwell
Thursday and Friday
Join us for a conversation with Paul Colwell, the most prolific songwriter in the storied expanse of the Up with People phenomenon. He is not only a musical founder of Up with People, co-writing the UWP theme song, but also its poet laureate. He penned the song "Last Embrace" about martyred lovers on a Sarajevo bridge, sung by casts from '95 to '97 in "The Festival". Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a living legend whose lyrics shaped our shared soundtrack.
Cultural Discussion with Anca Minescu
Thursday
Description pending
"How To Put Old On Hold", presentation by Steve Colwell, retired Certified Personal Trainer and Specialist in Older Adult Fitness
Thursday and Friday
After years with Up With People, Steve Launched his 3rd career as a certified personal trainer. As a result of observing many health improvements in those with whom he worked, he wrote the book "How to Put Od on Hold". His passion is to leave this world a little better than when he arrived. Come hear his story and techniques for living a healthier life.
UWPIAA Year in Review & What's Next
Various sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; check the onsite programme
Curious about what's been happening behind the scenes and what's next for our Up with People International Alumni Association? Join us for insightful sessions as board members share updates on the impactful work from the past year. Hear directly from the Global Impact, Professional Development, Travel, and Learning Programs about key initiatives, exciting achievements, and what's on the horizon for our vibrant alumni community in the coming months. This is your chance to get the inside scoop and learn how your engagement makes a difference!
“Leveraging your UWP Experience: Becoming an Expert Storyteller” by McKell Neilson
Thursday
Competitive public speaker, McKell Neilson, will assist alumni in learning the important steps to becoming an expert storyteller by learning to create connection with one’s audience, establish relevance, use of humour and ensuring one’s story is memorable.
“The Next Chapter: Up with People Foundation”
Thursday and Friday
Join us as we introduce the UWP Foundation and explore how this next chapter will carry Up with People’s legacy into the future.
Line Dancing with Patricia Schmid
Thursday and Friday
Want to have fun, move, and learn something new? Get your brain and body ready for modern Line Dance! This session is all about fun, energy, and learning some classic steps. No experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and we'll have you moving and grooving in no time. It's a fantastic way to get active, laugh, and share some memorable moments.
"The Butterfly Effect"—A panel discussion on how UWP impacted and shaped the careers of six alumni, moderated by McKell Neilson
Friday afternoon
Featuring alumni panelists: Alex Flohr, Andrej Droba, David Lott, Heather Reilly, Lesley Ann Ross Purser, and Pam Espinosa.
Busking by Eric Lentz
Following the Celebration of Life on Wednesday in The Stables Bar
Join alumnus Eric Lentz for a fun and informal Busking session! Come discover the magic of spontaneous performance!
Music & Mingle
After the show on Thursday in The Stables Bar
Got a hidden talent? Join us for our open mic night! After Thursday's show, grab the spotlight and share your performance skills, whether it's singing, playing an instrument, reciting poetry, or telling jokes. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talents and enjoy an evening of entertainment with fellow alumni.
Reception & Fun
After the show on Friday in The Stables Bar
Let's raise a glass to an incredible week! Join us for a special Reception & Fun event at The Stables Bar after Friday's show. Enjoy some light fare and drinks as we toast to the success of Alumni Week and reminisce about the memories we've made. With only one more day of fun to go, this is the perfect way to wind down and celebrate with your Up with People family.