If you are looking for a warm welcome then look no further than the vibrant city of Limerick. As a bonus Limerick is surrounded by scenic countryside and you will get fantastic value for money. Is Limerick worth visiting, yes!
7 Great reasons for you to visit Limerick
1. History
Wandering through the streets of Limerick is the absolute pleasure of anyone interested in history. You will be taken back in time to the 12th century when visiting
St. Mary’s Cathedral, and you will take in the remarkable archaeology and 21st century technology at the 13th century King John’s Castle. If you meander into neigbouring towns of County Limerick, you will stumble into Kilmallock, a Norman town with an architectural heritage.
2. Culture Galore
Where there is history, there is culture and in Limerick art galleries and museums are sprawled throughout the city and county. There is plenty to discover for every cultural appetite you might have.
The Hunt Museum exhibits one of Ireland’s greatest private collections of art and antiquities including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats;
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum where you will learn how Foynes became one of the great aviation hubs of the world from 1937 to 1945! This must be one of the most interesting attractions in the whole of Ireland, while the free Limerick Museum showcases the history of Limerick and its people.
3. The Great Outdoors
Love the outdoors? Limerick has you covered! Limerick is settled on the Shannon river and caters for kayaking and a range of other water sports. If you are into mountain biking then you should try the 98 km of the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail in County Limerick which is surrounded by rolling green pastures, woodlands, hills and mountains.
Or if you want to take a leisurely stroll then try the riverbank walkway that takes you from the City Centre to the University of Limerick or you could explore the Limerick Greenway, a unique 39km stretch of countryside just waiting to be discovered!
4. Sport
Limerick is known as the sporting capital of Ireland and not without reason.
The Munster Rugby team is one of the best clubs in the world and a stalwart of Irish Rugby. You have to watch a game at the iconic Thomond Park Stadium where the fans are not only passionate but also respectful of the players and the opposition. In this stadium you will hear a pin drop when a place kick is taken and any good score by the opposition will be respectfully applauded. The crowd will also roar when their team crosses the line.
At the Gaelic Grounds to take in an exciting game of hurling, one of Ireland’s traditional sports. If you like racing you could also visit the Limerick Greyhound Stadium or Limerick Racecourse where you will see the famous Irish racehorses in action.
Limerick FC soccer team has their home at Markets Field and a home game is another great night out.
5. Festivals
Festivals in Ireland are a national pastime and a feast for all the senses with music, fashion, athletics and family fun creating a year-round programme of entertainment! Limerick is right up there with a packed festival calendar. The
Limerick St. Patrick’s Festival brings performers and marching bands to the city’s streets every March; while Limerick’s favourite festival, Riverfest, kicks off the summer season in May. Over the years, Limerick hosted many festivals not the least being the World BBQ Championships.
6. Shopping
As the retail capital of Ireland’s MidWest, Limerick offers a great experience for the shopper with a great selection of stylish boutiques, high street favourites and the largest shopping centre outside Dublin.
A must visit is the bustling Milk Market with its 50 stalls and 21 shops. Here you can savour the smell of fresh flowers and even fresher produce on a Saturday morning.
At the Made in Limerick store you will find unique products made in Limerick, by Limerick residents. The artisans and their products are diverse, ranging from knitwear to sculptures and a range of other gifts ready to take back home.
7. Foodie Heaven
Limerick’s food scene has grown tremendously in the last few years and caters for every taste and whim witha variety of award-winning restaurants, quirky cafes and tasty street food!
Let’s dig a bit deeper into some of the great attractions of Limerick
King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle is situated on ‘King’s Island’ in the heart of medieval Limerick City and you are invited to step inside the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark! Here you will discover the stories of ruthless King John, the noble knights, and rebellious natives as King John’s Castle brings to life over 800 years of dramatic local history.
The visitor centre will delight you with state of the art interpretive activities and exhibitions. 21st century touch screen technology, 3D models and more. Visitors love the dazzling array of computer generated animations and ghostly projections as they travel back through time watching a display of the history of Limerick and Ireland.
This newly renovated 13th-century castle is open for tours.
Terra Nova Fairy Garden
Expect the unexpected at Terra Nova Garden,.home to an exotic Thai House with tropical plantings, a magical woodland filled with pixies, fairies and other elementals. You will love the Hobbit Tea House based on Bilbo’s Bag End and you can shop till you drop at Ireland’s Largest Fairy Gift Shop.
University of Limerick
Besides being a grand institution of learning the University of Limerick is a great place to visit.. Set on a magnificent riverside campus of more than 130 hectares centred on the majestic River Shannon. With over 13,000 students and 1,300 staff the University of Limerick has a host of world class facilities and places of interest that will make your campus visit one to remember. Come to the University of Limerick visitor centre to start your experience.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Saint Mary’s Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in Limerick, stands in the heart of the medieval city, looking out over the majestic River Shannon. The Cathedral was originally the Royal Palace for the Kings of Thomond; it was gifted to the church in 1168. As a living and working church worship is offered daily, as it has been for the last 850 years.
The Milk Market
Every Saturday, since 1852 you can take in the sights, sounds and smells of fresh produce, flowers and other goods at this bustling market.
Thomond Park Stadium
Visit Thomond Park for a full Museum and Stadium tour and learn everything about this hallowed ground and the proud tradition of Munster Rugby. Great family entertainment.
Hunt Museum
The Hunt collection is a collection of original artifacts gathered, over a lifetime, by John and Gertrude Hunt and is housed in the Hunt Museum. Besides displaying its own collections, the museum also hosts visiting exhibitions of Local, National and International significance with the overall aim of maximizing their cultural and educational potential for the people of Limerick and Ireland.
Limerick Greyhound Stadium
If you want to be thrilled then step over and come to the Limerick Greyhound Stadium for a night of p live, adrenaline pumped entertainment. Top class facilities ensure it is comfortable to watch the action from inside and out.
The Treaty Stone
The Treaty Stone commemorates the Treaty of Limerick signed in 1691.and is one of Limericks most famous landmarks.The Treaty Stone is situated opposite King John’s Castle on Clancy’s Strand, beside the river Shannon.
Limerick Museum
Limerick Museum is housed in the Franciscan Friary, Henry Street. The Limerick Museum holds in storage the largest local authority collection in the country and the display in Henry Street shows only a fraction of this collection to highlight the history of Limerick City and County for thousands of years. The museum is a great place to visit if you are interested in history, the museum is fully accessible to all and is free.
Hopefully this list managed to wet your appetite for a visit to Limerick, click on the button below to explore more of Limerick and everything it has to offer.
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