The Irish Skipper Expo 2025 is already shaping up to be a spectacular industry showcase – with just six months to go before the event opens its doors on 21-22 March next year at the UL Sports Arena in Limerick.
Organisers Mara Media have taken on the feedback from exhibitors and visitors, and from now on will host just one show a year. This year saw a highly successful Aberdeen event. The Irish Skipper Expo takes place next year, and the Scottish Skipper Expo will return to Aberdeen in 2026.
‘We recognise the changing nature of the industry in both Ireland and Scotland and as such, we aim to develop fantastic exhibitions showcasing the very best products and services in the industry – alternating each year to cater to the needs of all our visitors,’ explained Mara Media’s commercial fishing manager Sharon Boyle.
‘Despite the recent challenges in the fishing industry, the show remains a positive event that looks forward to the future.’
After having taken place in Galway for many years, the Irish Skipper Expo switched a few years ago to its current venue in Limerick, which has transport links that make it the ideal location. It’s no more than a few hours by road from anywhere in Ireland, and Shannon airport is just half an hour away. There are daily flights to Shannon/Dublin from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as from Leeds Bradford, Humberside, Teesside and Newcastle.
Regular visitors to the Skipper show in Limerick are already signed up.
‘The Limerick Skipper show is important for us as a specialist supplier to the Irish workboat and fishing vessel sector. We record visits from long-term customers & potential new clients, from all over Ireland, including the north,’ said Charles Cleghorn, who has been a regular exhibitor for more than a decade.
‘There’s always some representation from European and Scandinavian areas, allowing us to meet and speak directly with people we would otherwise not encounter,’ he said, commenting that he has a strong belief in maintaining face-to-face contact with customers.
Also returning in 2025 is Paul Quinn of South Shore Marine.
‘The 2024 show was the best in some time, good footfall and good business was done at the show with a lot of enquiries since the show, was encouraging to see the interest back,’ he commented.
