Limerick

A historic city on the River Shannon, with King John's Castle and the Hunt Museum anchoring the old town; nearby Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and the thatched-cottage village of Adare are west of Ireland classics.

Limerick lies in the mid-west of Ireland, just upstream of where the River Shannon meets the sea. It is Ireland's third-largest city and the county town of County Limerick, only about 25 km from Shannon International Airport, making it a convenient base for exploring the west of Ireland. The city was founded by the Vikings on King's Island, and the historic core is concentrated on the east bank of the Shannon: the 13th-century King John's Castle, St Mary's Cathedral (founded in 1168) and, across the river, the Treaty Stone are all around King's Island and easily linked on foot. To the south, the Georgian Quarter is represented by the People's Park, the Limerick City Gallery of Art and the Frank McCourt Museum; the Hunt Museum occupies the old Custom House on the riverside, and the weekend Milk Market is the place to experience local life. Rugby is the city's soul, and Thomond Park, home of Munster, offers stadium tours. Day trips are Limerick's highlight: 15 km northwest, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park hosts medieval castle banquets; to the southwest, the village of Adare is famous for its thatched cottages, and the Foynes Flying Boat Museum on the Shannon Estuary is the birthplace of Irish coffee. To the south is the prehistoric site of Lough Gur, and to the north are Killaloe and Holy Island on Lough Derg, plus Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen and the old town of Ennis in south County Clare. The climate is mild and rainy, at 10–20°C year-round; May–September brings long days and the fullest opening hours at castles and rural sights, while many attractions outside the city close in winter. Trains from Dublin take about 2–2.5 hours, and buses run direct from Shannon Airport to the city. The city sights can be covered in one day; allow 2–3 days including the surrounding area. Public transport to rural sights is infrequent, so drive or join a day tour. The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren (see also Galway & Cliffs of Moher) are about 1–1.5 hours' drive away and are often visited from Limerick.

Top sights

King John's Castle – A 13th-century Norman castle on King's Island in the River Shannon. It is a landmark of the city of Limerick.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park – A fully restored 15th-century tower castle, with a folk park next door that recreates a 19th-century Irish rural village.
Adare – Often called 'Ireland's prettiest village.' Its main street is lined with thatched-roof cottages, medieval friaries, and the Desmond Castle.
The Hunt Museum – A private collection museum in an 18th-century Custom House on the banks of the Shannon, holding around 2,000 treasures from prehistory to…
St Mary's Cathedral – Limerick's oldest surviving building, founded in 1168. It is still in use today as the Church of Ireland cathedral.
The Milk Market – A historic market in operation since 1852. Weekend markets offer local produce, prepared foods and handmade goods, making it a great place…
Treaty Stone & Thomond Bridge – A stone said to be where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. It faces King John's Castle across the river and is a classic photo spo…
St John's Cathedral – A 19th-century Neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral with Ireland's tallest church spire (94 m).
People's Park & Limerick City Gallery of Art – A city park in a Georgian neighborhood. The gallery on its edge offers free admission to modern and contemporary Irish art.
Frank McCourt Museum – The former school where the author of 'Angela's Ashes' studied as a boy. It recreates the life of Limerick's poor in the 1930s.
Thomond Park – Home ground of Munster rugby. Take a stadium tour or watch a match to experience Irish rugby culture.
University of Limerick & Living Bridge – A university campus on the Shannon, with Ireland's longest footbridge, the Living Bridge, and wide riverside paths.
Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum – The starting point of the transatlantic flying boat routes of the 1930s and 1940s, and the birthplace of Irish coffee. The museum has a ful…
Lough Gur – One of Ireland's most important prehistoric sites, with Neolithic dwellings around the lake and the largest stone circle in the country.
Killaloe & Ballina (Lough Derg) – Twin towns at the southern end of Lough Derg, facing each other across the Shannon. Highlights include a 13-arch stone bridge, an old churc…
Knappogue Castle – A tower castle built in 1467 by the MacNamara family, known for its summer medieval banquets and walled garden.
Craggaunowen – An open-air archaeological park with reconstructed lake dwellings and a ring fort, plus the replica leather boat 'Brendan.'
Quin Abbey – A well-preserved 15th-century Franciscan friary ruin with an intact cloister and bell tower. Free to visit.
Ennis Friary – A 13th-century Franciscan friary ruin famous for its exquisite medieval stone carvings, located in the old town of Ennis, the county town o…
Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) – An early Christian monastic island on Lough Derg, with an Irish round tower, several ancient churches and a holy well.
Curraghchase Forest Park – The forest park that was once home to poet Aubrey de Vere. Lakes, woodland trails and the ruins of a mansion make it ideal for a half-day s…

Where to eat

The Curragower – An 18th-century riverside pub on the Shannon with a terrace facing King John's Castle, famed across the city for its se…
The French Table – A riverside French restaurant opened in 2008 by a chef couple from Strasbourg, serving refined classic French cooking t…
The Cornstore – A three-storey steak and seafood restaurant converted from an old corn store, known for local produce and award-winning…
Freddy's Restaurant – A small restaurant in a 19th-century carriage house, named Limerick County Champion at the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards…
Hook & Ladder (Sarsfield Street) – A family-run local café and cooking school, where the full Irish breakfast and weekend brunch are the city's favourite…