Limerick

Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) is a city in Ireland's Shannon Region.

Understand

King John's Castle on the River Shannon

Riverside city

Limerick is a riverside city of modest size, and is Ireland's third most populated city. Limerick is in the heart of Ireland's beautiful Shannon Region. The city overlooks the majestic and historic King John's Castle which is perched on its Shannon river bank. A city of many contrasts, it has managed to successfully blend the modern with the historic. It offers many cultural attractions, including cinema, theatre, museums, concerts, walking tours, boat rides and a wide variety of sports amenities. There is the lively atmosphere in traditional pubs, discos and restaurants. Being centrally located between the major attractions of Cork and Galway it is not as popular with tourists in the region.

History

A Viking town

The city was founded by the Vikings in 922 AD. The Vikings thrived in the village but they were overthrown in 968 AD. The Vikings fought the city back again in 969 AD. It wasn't until the 1020 AD, that native Limerick folk again recaptured and claimed their town. From that time period, the Vikings became part of the fabric of the town and integrated into the Irish society. Limerick of today benefits from their artistry, technological skills and seamanship.

Through the Middle Ages

The English (Anglo-Normans) colonised the city in 1172 AD and changed everything. St Mary's Cathedral was built in 1194 AD. Limerick's architecture boomed, King John ordered the construction of his fortress King John's Castle in 1205 AD, a fine specimen of fortified Norman architecture and Thomond Bridge which was for centuries the only bridge crossing the River Shannon.

The Treaty Stone perched on Thomond Bridge

The English settled in King's Island, called "Englishtown". The Irish were moved to "Irishtown", on the other side of the Abbey River. A huge stonewall was erected around "Englishtown" in this period, known as "the walls of Limerick" and now is a famous traditional Irish dance. Limerick developed and became a very prosperous port and trading center exporting and importing all around Europe. 1171 AD a nunnery was founded. The Trinitarian Abbey was built in 1230 AD, this was the Trinitarian order's only established monastery in Ireland. The Scottish clans in 1315 AD attempted to invade Limerick and around 1320 AD Edward Bruce took Limerick once again. This occupation was defeated by the English in 1318 AD. A few hundred years later another historic moment occurred in Limerick, The Treaty of Limerick was signed to end the Irish war between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange and it also ended the Siege of Limerick. They were signed on the Treaty Stone, which is perched now on a pedestal at the foot of Thomond Bridge.

Modern times

Limerick of the early 20th century was very much a growing agricultural town. The Peoples Park was developed in 1876 and later tourism became a major focus and technology industries flourished. A state library and museum was built in 1906 with the Limerick Art Gallery being constructed in 1948. In 1972 the University of Limerick opened. In 1976, The Hunt family offered their collection to the nation to what has become the Hunt Museum. In 1981, the Beltable Arts Centre opened its curtains for everyone. In 1984, Limerick's National Technology Park opened its doors. During the late 20th century and early 21st century a great investment went into refurbishing and restoring Limerick's historic buildings. The 'renaissance' continued in 1989, Arthur Quay was refurbished and a new walkway waterfront constructed. In 1987 O'Halloran Bridge was built and in 1989 Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre opened to the public.

During the 1980s, the Potato Market, and the Milk Market were refurbished, the Milk Market will have another upgrade in 2010. The old Bishops Palace was totally rebuilt to its former glory. In 1991, a tourist information office was commissioned and tied in nicely with a new visitors centre to showcase King John's Castle. In 1994, Kings Island and Steamboat Quay were refurbished, and a new hotel and apartments were built in the region. In 1999, the new Abbey Bridge opened to the public. In 1999, the Georgian House was opened in Pery Square region of the city.

The stunning Living Bridge was constructed in 2007 by the Eiffel Engineering of Paris (the team behind the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty), it's a 350-m-long footbridge over the River Shannon at the University of Limerick. There are plans to refurbish and renew the Park Canal and upgrade all amenities on the Shannon river.

Literature

Limerick has spawned many great writers and poets. Among those were Michael Hogan, the Bard of Thomond to Jim Kemmy and Maureen Sparling to the late and great writer Frank McCourt whose Pulitzer prize winning Angela's Ashes, 'Tis and Teacher Man were huge international bestsellers.

Music and film

Limerick has a very active music scene, which has produced such popular bands and musicians from as Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries, and Noel Hogans' MonoBand, The Hitchers, world-renowned electronic musician Richard D. James, known as Aphex Twin. It is also home to comedians D'Unbelievables (Pat Shortt & Jon Kenny) which entertained with many TV shows and Christmas specials, other famous personalities include the Hollywood actor Richard Harris and TV presenter Terry Wogan.

A number of films and movies have been produced and recorded in the city including the Alan Parker's Hollywood adaptation of Angela's Ashes starring Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson. It is the setting for the contemporary coming-of-age drama Cowboys & Angels and Robert Cunningham's gritty Somebody's Daughter.

Get in

By plane: Shannon Airport (SNN ^IATA), 25 km west of Limerick along N18, has flights across Europe, UK, New York, Newark and Chicago.

To town, Bus Eireann # 343 runs between 06:30 and midnight, every 30 mins, taking an hour, fare 8 euro. Expressway Bus 51 between Galway and Limerick also stops at the airport every couple of hours.

All the main car rental firms have offices at the airport.

By bus: Limerick City is served very well by Bus Eireann who operate services to and from Limerick city to Athlone, Balbriggan, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Navan, Killarney, Sligo and Waterford.

From Galway and Cork is served by Citylink's bus service . Dedicated public coach hire services to Concerts, Festivals and Sporting Events.

By train: There are hourly train services from Dublin Heuston Street, taking just over two hours to Limerick Colbert Street. Some are direct, most involve a change at Limerick Junction (which is near Tipperary and about 25 km east of Limerick). Change there also for Cork (connections hourly, 90 mins). Direct trains run from Colbert Street to Ennis every couple of hours, taking 40 mins.

Get around

Public bus services are available in Limerick but the city is quite contained and everything is within walking distance. Quite easy to get from City Centre out to UL/Castletroy Area and back via the public bus.

Bikes need to be rented weeks in advance. There is only one bike rental shop in town.

See

Limerick has a host of attractions. See the Limerick Coordination Office for a full events guide

• 🌍 King John's Castle (on King's Island). Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00, Mar-Oct 09:30-18:00; limited access 15-21 June 2019. Built 13th C by King John over an earlier Viking fortification. The walls, well bashed about over the centuries, enclose a large courtyard. Adult €8. (updated Feb 2019)
• 🌍 St Mary's Cathedral, Bridge St (on King's Island), ☎ [phone]. Daily 09:00-16:45. Anglican cathedral founded in 1168, with the tower added in the 14th C. Note the ceremonial Great West Door, the limestone-slab original altar, and the chandeliers. Notable burials include the last High King of Munster, within the nave. Suggested donation €5. (updated Feb 2019)
• St. John's Cathedral, Cathedral Place (corner of Garryowen Rd). This impressive RC cathedral is in neo-Gothic style and has the tallest spire in Ireland at 94 m (308 ft). Built in 1861 and designed by the architect Philip Charles Hardwick, it has been in continuous use since. Six bishops are buried here. (updated Feb 2019)
• The Hunt Museum, Rutland St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 14:00–17:00. Adults €5, Concessions €3.50, Children €2.50. Free admission every Sunday. 
• 🌍 Limerick City Gallery of Art, Carnegie Building, Pery Sq. M-W & F Sa 10:00-17:00, Th 10:00-19:30, Su 12:00–17:00. Displays all Irish artists, plus large collections of posters and contemporary drawings. Free. (updated Feb 2019)
• Frank McCourt Museum on Lower Hartstonge Street depicts the author's life and times. It's open M-F 11:00-16:30, Sa Su 14:00-16:00. Tis. They also organise "Angela's Ashes" walking tours.
• The fine 19th C Potato Market, on the Quays, is nowadays just a car park.
• Daniel O'Connell monument. It's perched at the top of O'Connell street in the Georgian district. 
• The Treaty Stone, Thomond bridge. 

Do

St John's Cathedral: The tallest spire in Ireland

• Watch Rugby Union at 🌍 Munster Rugby, Thomond Park, Cratloe Rd (a mile west of city centre). They play in the Pro14, the professional pan-European league, and in the European Rugby Champions Cup. They usually play at Thomond Park, capacity 25,000, but some games are played in Cork. (updated Feb 2019)
• Limerick Football Club. The city's football team play in Markets Field, which is in the city centre. Matches are played on Friday nights and tickets are generally available on match night. tickets cost between €12 to stand, and €15 to sit in the main stand.
• Belltable, O'Connell Avenue. Performing arts theatre. (updated Feb 2019)
• University Concert Hall. 
• Stroll in The Peoples Park, south of the centre by the Gallery of Art.
• UL Arena is a large sports facility on the University campus east of the city.
• Go to the races at Limerick Races, Greenmount Park, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick V94 K858 (6 km southwest of city, from M20 take exit 4), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Opened in 2001 and staging both flat-racing and National Hunt; the previous course at Greenpark closed in 1999. (updated Feb 2019)

Learn

• University of Limerick (Ollscoil Luimnigh). 
• Limerick Institute of Technology (Institúid Teicneolaíochta Luimnigh). 
• Mary Immaculate College (Coláste Mhuire Gan Smál). 
• Language Travel Ireland (LTI). 

Buy

• Cruise's Street, pedestrianised, is the main shopping mall.
• The Milk Market. weekend only. Located down in the Market House in Mungret Street, you can buy there fresh local and in season products directly from the producers. But it's not just shopping and buying: people also gather there to drink a tea/coffee and talk about the daily things of life! 
• O'Mahony's. Booksellers, O'Connell Street 

Eat

• Azur, 8 Georges Quay. 
• Bella Italia, 43 Thomas St. 
• Bon Appétit. The Milk Market - Fantastic food. 
• Copper and Spice, Mill Bar, Garraunykee, Annacotty. M-Sa 17:00-22:30, Su 14:00-22:00. Indian restaurant. The downtown branch in Cornmarket Row has closed. (updated Feb 2019)
• The Cornstore, 19 Thomas Street. 
• The Grove, 11 Upper Cecil Street. For yummy vegetarian food. 
• Jasmine Palace, O'Connell St.. Beautiful restaurant. 
• The Locke Bar, George's Quay. 
• Milano, Harvey's Quay. 
• La Piccola Italia, 56 O'Connell Street. 
• Texas Steakout, O'Connell St.. 

Drink

• Nancy Blake's Pub, Denmark St. Popular and crowded. Live Music most weeks. 
• The Old Quarter, Denmark St. 
• Flannerys Bar, Denmark St. There are quite a few 'Flannery's pubs in Limerick. 
• Smyths, Denmark St. Late night bar. Great atmosphere. Live music. Cosy traditional Irish pub. (updated Jan 2019)
• Molly Malones, Ellen St. Be careful with the bouncers. Late Bar and dance floor. Gets crowded. Great place to end a night of partying. 
• Costello's Tavern, Dominic St. Alternative music venue. 
• Jerry Flannerys Bar, Catherine St. 
• Micky Martins, Augustinian Lane. Tucked away in an L shaped alley (Augustinian Lane) with a nice outdoor area when the weather permits. Good beer decent beer selection for Limerick. Hoegaarden on tap. 
• Tom Collins's Oyster Saloon, Cecil St. Genuine old man's pub. 
• Dolans Pub, Dock Rd. Traditional Irish bar with traditional Irish live music. Wharehouse in back which houses techno parties. 
• The White House (Gleeson's), O'Connell St. Open Mic nights and Poetry nights. 
• The Still House, Thomas St. 
• Charlie Chaplin's, Cruises St. 
• Charlie Malone's (Charlie's), Wolfe Tone St (Near Bowman St & Barrack Hill). Relatively quiet normally. Monday Nights draw in the crowds from Mary I as generally during the school semester a group of students from Mary I will play Irish Trad late in the night. The barmen here will make you feel quite at home. Though small its quite cozy. 

Sleep

Budget

• Brookville House B&B, 31 Brookville Avenue, Clareview (5 mins walk to Thomond Park), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Owner, Nora, is renowned for her hospitality and the full Irish breakfast comes highly recommended. Ensuite rooms with TV available. From €35. 
• Travelodge Limerick Castletroy, Dublin Rd N7 (Neighbouring the University of Limerick), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. From €35. 
• Travelodge Limerick Ennis Road, Travelodge Hotel Limerick Ennis Road, Coonagh Roundabout, Ennis Rd (close to Thomond Park Stadium Limerick), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. From €35. 

Mid-range

• Best Western Perys Hotel, Glentworth St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Clayton Hotel Limerick, Steamboat Quay, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Health and fitness Centre with pool, sauna, steam room and gym. 
• The George Boutique Hotel, Shannon St., ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Greenhills Hotel, Ennis Road (west edge of city), ☎ [phone]. Large 4-star hotel with conference facilities, Hugh's Steakhouse and Bryan's Bar. (updated Feb 2019)
• The Kilmurry Lodge, Castletroy (near University), ☎ [phone]. Pleasant, ivy-covered red brick hotel on the outskirts of town, manages to feel small and cozy although it's actually rather large. Pub, restaurant and nightclub on grounds. From €89 B&B. 
• Maldron Hotel Limerick, Southern Ring Road, Roxboro, V94 EDP4, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Family friendly hotel with leisure centre, gym and swimming pool. Function rooms available for business meetings and conferences. (updated Jun 2018)
• Old Bank B&B, 30 minutes away in Bruff. 
• Punchs Hotel. 
• The Pier Hotel, Sarsfield Bridge, ☎ [phone]. 
• South Court Hotel & Suites, Raheen, ☎ [phone]. 
• Strand Hotel Limerick, Ennis Rd, ☎ [phone]. 4 Star hotel in the heart of Limerick City Centre, with leisure facilities and meeting rooms. 
• Woodlands House Hotel. 

Splurge

• Absolute Hotel Limerick, Sir Harry's Mall, ☎ [phone]. Four Star hotel luxury spa hotel in the heart of Limerick City Centre. 
• Castletroy Park. 
• Glin Castle. 
• The Savoy Hotel, formerly Marriott Limerick, Henry St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: Noon. €140+ per night. 
• The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick, Ennis Rd, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 3. Near to Shannon Airport and city centre. 

Stay safe

Limerick being a modest sized city, the city centre itself is safe and cosy, even at nights and weekends. Generally as is the case of any of the modern cities in Ireland, use your common sense and exercise caution and you will have a fantastic time.

If you do run into trouble, the police station (Gardai) is on Henry Street in the city center. The number of the local police (Gardai) is [phone], note: a non-emergency number. The emergency dial is the standard 112 or 999, as always.

Go next

• Drive west past Shannon Airport into County Clare and Ennis and take N68 to Kilrush and Kilkee. This brings onto the wild Mizzen Head, with the grey Atlantic heaving below.
• On the road north towards Galway, stop to admire the Cliffs of Moher.
• Lough Gur, 15 km south of the city along R512, is a remarkable collection of Neolithic sites and artefacts.
• Along the south bank of Shannon, Adare is a very attractive old town, pity about the traffic and the hordes.
• Nearby Foynes is where the transatlantic flying boats used to berth, and the likes of Sinatra and John Wayne stepped out to the pop of flash-guns; see the museum and step aboard a plane.