Summary
A city planned in a grid format, Limerick is recognized as Ireland’s third-largest urban center and holds the position of the third strongest economy in the country, following Dublin and Cork.
This vibrant port situated on the Shannon Estuary was the catalyst for extensive construction during the Georgian era, leading to the establishment of the elegant Newtown Pery quarter.
Historically, in 1691, Limerick served as the concluding site for the Williamite War, which brought about challenging times for the Catholic population of Ireland.
The stone upon which the Treaty of Limerick was signed is located directly across the river from the impressive King John Castle, which dates back to the 13th century and has recently been enhanced as a premier visitor destination.
Limerick is also notable for being the childhood home of author Frank McCourt, who experienced poverty during his upbringing. Furthermore, the Hunt Museum houses a fascinating array of artifacts, ranging from a Gauguin painting to Medieval religious art.
Let us delve into the top experiences to enjoy in Limerick:
1. King John’s Castle
At the onset of this decade, Limerick’s iconic castle along the River Shannon underwent a multimillion-Euro redevelopment.
A new visitor center was constructed, featuring interactive exhibits, touch screens, and CGI displays.
These innovations narrate the history of one of Europe’s most intact Norman castles, commissioned by King John of England in 1210. Children can explore drawers for additional insights about the castle and engage with projections, while the visitor center provides comprehensive information on the intricate archaeology of the site.
Notable features include excavated homes that predate Norman settlement, siege tunnels, and a battlement walkway alongside the Shannon.
During summer, the courtyard welcomes historical figures such as a stonemason, blacksmith, or soldier who recount stories from the past.
A cafe overlooking the courtyard and river was also established in 2013.
2. St Mary’s Cathedral
Established in 1168, St Mary’s Cathedral stands as the oldest structure in the city that remains an active part of the community.
It is believed that the church was constructed on the site of a Viking “Thing,” or assembly point, and incorporates elements from a Viking palace near the Great West Door.
The 37-meter tower, dating from the 1200s, features eight bells forged at the Whitechapel Foundry in London.
Within the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, lies the altar, which stands four meters tall and was intricately carved from a single limestone block.
This stone was removed from the church in 1651 when Cromwell repurposed the space into stables, and it was not replaced until the 1960s.
The Glentworth Chapel showcases cannonballs fired during the Siege of Limerick in 1691.
3. Hunt Museum
The Georgian Custom House located in Newtown Pery hosts a fascinating collection of historical artifacts and art, generously donated by antique dealer and antiquarian John Hunt.
As with many esteemed museums, the Hunt houses an eclectic mix of over 2,500 objects, ranging from an Ancient Egyptian amulet and paintings by Renoir, Gauguin, and Picasso, to a bronze horse once attributed to Leonardo da Vinci (though this attribution has been recently challenged) and numerous religious artifacts.
A standout piece is the Antrim Cross, crafted from bronze and enamel in the 800s.
Also noteworthy are dresses by haute couture designer Sybil Connolly, alongside two paintings by Jack Butler Yeats.
4. Frank McCourt Museum
Author Frank McCourt received the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his memoir, Angela’s Ashes, which humorously yet poignantly recounts his childhood in Limerick during the 1930s and 1940s.
Situated in the Leamy School, which McCourt attended, the Frank McCourt Museum reflects the realities of life in the city during that era.
Visitors can explore a classroom from the 1930s and view a recreation of the McCourt family home, based on detailed historical research and recollections from McCourt himself.
Exhibition cases display photos and memorabilia contributed by former students, while murals depict Limerick’s infamous “Lanes,” McCourt’s journeys to work, and his mother, Angela, who raised him alone.
Following McCourt’s passing in 2009, some of his ashes were placed in a container above his former classroom within the museum.
5. Milk Market
As one of Ireland’s premier farmers’ markets, the Milk Market appeals to those who prioritize the origin of their food.
The complex underwent refurbishment in the 1990s and is covered by a large canopy, which has become a venue for live music events.
The principal market day is Saturday, offering a wide selection of fresh produce and delicacies from local farmers, fishermen, and artisans.
This may include artisan cheeses, premium cuts of meat, fresh fish, organic fruits and vegetables, chutneys, freshly baked bread, and homemade jams.
With more than 50 stalls and 21 permanent shops, most vendors also operate on Fridays and Sundays.
6. Newtown Pery
Newtown Pery, one of three distinct quarters in central Limerick, serves as the retail district situated just north of the city center.
This area was established during Limerick’s prosperous port period between the 1750s and 1830s.
Newtown Pery is notably arranged in a grid layout, and is home to some of the most remarkable Georgian architecture found outside of Dublin.
The area faced challenges in the late 20th century when commerce shifted towards suburban shopping centers, yet the architectural elegance of its 200-year-old flat-fronted buildings, particularly around Rutland Street and The Crescent, remains unharmed.
7. Thomond Park
Those familiar with rugby will undoubtedly recognize Munster (The Red Army) as one of the leading teams in the Northern Hemisphere.
Munster has secured the European Rugby Champions Cup twice and the Pro14 on three occasions, finishing as runners-up in 2017 against Wales’ Scarlets.
Securing tickets to a match offers the opportunity to witness high-caliber rugby; notably, in 2018, 11 players from the Irish National Team selected for the Six Nations represented Munster.
Additionally, Munster was home to the legendary Ronan O’Gara, the fourth-highest points scorer in test rugby history.
The stadium, acclaimed for its vibrant atmosphere, was redeveloped in 2008 and accommodates 26,350 spectators.
8. People’s Park
Situated in Newtown Pery, the People’s Park was envisioned in the early 19th century as a grand Georgian space akin to Mountjoy Square in Dublin.
However, the development faced limitations due to the Great Famine, resulting in the completion of just one terrace of flat-fronted mansions.
Opened in 1877, the park serves as the principal green space in the city.
In addition to the bandstand, two gazebos, and a charming drinking fountain (one of only two remaining in Ireland), the park is enhanced by its towering trees, many planted in the 19th century.
Among the winding paths, one can find elms, hawthorns, beeches, ashes, birches, planes, poplars as well as cherry and crabapple trees that bloom in the spring.
9. St John’s Cathedral
Limerick’s Catholic cathedral was designed by the English architect Philip Charles Hardwick and completed in 1861. Its 94-meter tower, a defining feature of the city’s skyline, was constructed in 1882 using limestone sourced from Rosbrien.
More than 130 years later, it reigns as the tallest building in Limerick.
Inside, one can find the “cathedra,” or bishop’s chair, which, along with the choir stalls, was sculpted in Munich in 1894. Additionally, the altar, crafted from Limerick marble, showcases alabaster sculptures illustrating the Sacrifice of Isaac.
10. Limerick City Museum
Admission to the Limerick City Museum is free, offering visitors a captivating collection of diverse artifacts.
The exhibits feature archaeological finds from the Stone Age and Iron Age, alongside the scabbard belonging to revolutionary Lord Edward FitzGerald, which he used while resisting arrest leading to his death in 1798. The museum’s collection comprises 60,000 items, including blunderbuss firearms from the 17th and 18th centuries, Limerick silver over 200-years-old, attire like a gentleman’s suit from 1706, and a fragment of the Adare meteorite from 1813, which is the largest ever to strike the British Isles as they were then constituted.
11. Limerick City Gallery of Art
Housed in a dignified Romanesque Revival edifice dating from 1906, the Limerick City Gallery of Art presents Irish works across all artistic mediums from the 18th to the 21st centuries.
The permanent collection includes renowned works by prominent artists such as Grace Henry, Jack Butler Yeats, Paul Henry, and Seán Keating.
The gallery is also home to the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing and the Michael O’Connor International Poster Collection.
When visiting, be sure to review the events schedule, as it frequently features talks, workshops, and various concurrent exhibitions of contemporary Irish art.
For instance, in early 2018, a notable exhibition spotlighted textile artist Bernadette Cotter.
12. The Treaty Stone
The Williamite War concluded in this city during 1691, following the second Siege of Limerick.
Catholic Irish and French Jacobite forces faced defeat against the Protestant Williamite armies comprising troops from Ulster, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The Treaty of Limerick, signed on October 3, 1691, marked a pivotal moment in Irish history, instigating the “Flight of the Wild Geese,” during which 24,000 Catholics emigrated to France.
Subsequently, the Treaty of Limerick was violated, leading the Catholic populace in Ireland to endure over a century of challenging Penal Laws.
This stone, located at the Clare end of the Thomond Bridge, features a pedestal that contains a piece of stone believed to have been used for drafting the treaty.
13. Lough Gur
Irish prehistory captivates many, making Lough Gur, located 20 kilometers south of Limerick, a must-visit archaeological site.
This horseshoe-shaped lake, enveloped by rolling countryside, boasts a wide array of megalithic structures along its banks.
This area has seen human occupation for over 5,000 years and features ring forts situated on elevated terrain, remnants of Stone Age dwellings, the Grange stone circle, and three crannogs (Neolithic artificial islands). The visitor center provides insights into the lake’s history and its surroundings, offering audio guides for the outdoor trail that highlight remnants of the Stone Age and present additional historical contexts and folk narratives.
14. Ballyhoura Mountains
The Ballyhoura Mountains form a chain of peaks extending in an east-to-west formation for 10 kilometers, straddling the counties of Cork and Limerick.
The southern slopes, basking in sun, are cloaked in dense coniferous forests, whereas the northern slopes are characterized by misty heathland and blanket bog.
The highest peak, Seefin, rises to 528 meters in the northwest, accompanied by five other mountains, all exceeding 350 meters in height.
One of the main attractions drawing visitors to the range is the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Park, which features the largest network of bike trails in Ireland, totaling 98 kilometers.
These trails offer options suitable for beginners, such as the Greenwood Loop, or more challenging routes like the 50-kilometer Castlepook Loop for experienced riders.
15. Curraghchase Forest Park
Traveling southwest from Limerick along the N69, one encounters the picturesque remains of a former noble estate, now spanning 313 hectares as a public park.
This scenic park features a historic structure on a gentle ridge adjacent to a man-made lake, the remnants of Curraghchase House, which dates back to the mid-17th century and was tragically destroyed by fire in 1941. The esteemed poet and critic Aubrey Thomas de Vere was born here, and his close friend Alfred, Lord Tennyson, often visited, penning his work Lady Clara de Vere in tribute.
The estate is characterized by expansive lawns and a diverse forest comprising ancient conifers.
Moreover, the area bears historical significance with its cairn, standing stones, and the earthen structures of ancient fortifications.
