Limerick

Limerick, Ireland

Limerick, sitting on the banks of the River Shannon, is Ireland’s first ever City of Culture. Best known as the city of Frank McCourt's "Angela’s Ashes", the Limerick of today is peppered with galleries amidst elegantly crumbling Georgian architecture. The city of rugby also has a thriving street art scene, a lively festival schedule, and a crossroads tailor-made for foodies in the Milk Market.

Population:

194,899

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

112 or 999

Opening Hours:

Offices: 9am–5pm
Shops: 10am–6pm

Newspapers:

Several local newspapers are published in the city, including:
The Limerick Post, published every Thursday.
The Echo, published Monday to Saturday.
The Limerick Leader.
Leaflets are also available in cafes and art venues.

The City

Limerick in the midwest of Ireland is a bustling city nestled between areas of outstanding natural beauty from the Burren in Co. Clare in the north to the stunning Ring of Kerry in the south. Its past is etched from Viking and Norman, to Medieval and Georgian, to modern times. It is also the spiritual home of Irish rugby.

A compact city with a colourful past, you won't find much of the Limerick portrayed in Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, but you can retrace his childhood footsteps. Visit King John's Castle in the heart of Limerick's Medieval Heritage precinct on Kings Island. Other landmarks to spot are Thingmount (a Viking counsel chamber and court of justice), the former Bishop's Lady's Palace, the City Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone, and Thomand bridge.

Culture:

Fancy seeing an art collection with some Renoir, Picasso, Gauguin, O'Conor and Yeats? Then head for the Hunt Museum, set in the former 18th Century Custom House. Limerick City Gallery of Art is home to an important collection of Irish Paintings, while Limerick Museum is a Gulbenkian award winner filled with much earlier antiquities.

Time out:

Take a breather in the People's Park or Arthur's Quay Park to recharge your batteries. Walk along the river or take a boat trip down the Shannon Estuary to do a spot of whale watching.

Top 5

It is not simple to whittle Limerick's attractions down to just five, but the list goes to show how many different activities the city can offer. Any of them can be a nice way to kick off a sightseeing tour of the city.

Do & See

From the ancient castles that once lorded over the town to thought-provoking museums, Limerick will immerse you in its story and culture. Multiple walking tours are also available, covering a wide array of subjects including historic sport clubs and settings of famous novels.

Dining

Limerick has abundant international dining options: from spicy Thai dishes and rows of French wine bottles, to Italian home-made pasta and grilled delicacies.