Things To Do in County Limerick

Limerick City: Worth a Visit?

It is synonymous the world over with a type of lively, often lewd verse, and spend much time in Limerick’s eponymous capital and you might find yourself making up a few off-color rhymes of your own. With a population of nearly 100,000, it’s the Republic’s third largest city (only Dublin and Cork are bigger), but the city center itself is tiny and quite walkable. Set along the River Shannon, Limerick has had its high and low points over the years—it has beeen home to Irish Kings, a walled medieval city, and a prosperous Georgian town. Bleaker times in the 20th century (some of which are recounted in Frank McCourt's best-selling memoir Angela's Ashes), however, give Limerick a gritty, urban feel usually associated with much bigger cities. Limerick has been undergoing a regeneration, however, in recent years that have made it a far safer, and more welcoming place than it was just 15 years ago. And there's lots to see and do here. If you're going to be spending a day or two, and plan to take in a number of sights, the best way to get your bearings is to take a guided walking tour (this link will lead you to information on a number of tours and guides).

If you tour on your own, start at King John’s Castle ★ (Nicholas Street; 061/360788). This stern riverside fortress, dating from 1210, is the centerpiece of Limerick’s historic area. But rarely has an historic building been so poorly treated in the modern age; during the 1950s, in an astonishing act of government vandalism, it even had a public housing project built within its central courtyard. Thankfully that’s long gone, but the big, modern visitor center building that’s risen in its place still rather spoils the effect. However, a recent renovation has greatly improved the visitor facilities, including high-tech interactive displays. Admission costs €13 adults, €9.50 seniors, €10.50 students, and children aged 6 to 16 (free for children under 6), €39.50 to €64 families. It’s open April to September from 9:30am to 6pm, and October to March from 9:30am to 5pm (last admission 1 hr. before closing).

Located in an 18th-century customs building with a fine Palladian front, the Hunt Museum ★★ (Rutland Street; 061/312833) has exhibits on ancient Greece and Rome, and paintings by Picasso and Renoir. Admission costs €12 adults, €10 seniors and students, free for children, and €25 families. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday and public holidays from 11am to 5pm. For more modern art, try the Limerick City Gallery of Art ★, in People’s Park at the corner of Perry Square and Mallow Street. (061/310633). Besides regularly changing contemporary art exhibitions, the gallery’s permanent collection includes work by Irish painters Jack B. Yeats and Sir John Lavery. It’s open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm (and until 8pm on Thurs), Sunday noon to 5 (closed on public holidays). Admission is free.

A 1-hour tour of Treaty City Brewery (086/453-1400) in the medieval quarter takes you through the city's history of brewing, which dates back to the 1700's. Tours includ tastings and run between Friday and Sunday (€21/person). If you're in town on a weekend, don't miss the Milk Market Limerick (061/214782), a lively farmer's market offering everything from fruits and veggies to local cheeses, jam and bread on Saturdays; street food, live music, and vintage shops join the offerings on Fridays and Sundays. It's a great place to sample products from across Ireland and collect snacks for day trips. Admission is free.

Take a look, also, at our review of Saint Mary's Cathedral, another highlight of the city.