Limerick has won against international competition to host the 29th World Baton Twirling Championships. It is the first such event to be held in Ireland.
The president of the Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland, Bernadette Doyne, who is credited with bringing the event to the University of Limerick Arena, said: "This is all about Limerick, but we had some detractors from foreign countries saying 'Limerick is stab city' and 'You're taking your life into your hands if you go there'.
But we brought a few Americans there last week, who thought they were going to a hell-hole and couldn't believe how lovely it was."
Competitors from 23 countries will attend the event from August 5th and over 2,000 spectators are expectedin a €10 million boost to the local economy.