Ancient cities invariably attract tourists from all over the planet. Limerick is one of them, so today we will take a brief virtual tour of one of the most beautiful, mysterious, romantic, and ancient corners of the Kingdom of Ireland.
General information
Limerick, Ireland, located on the western coast of the Shannon River, is the third largest city in the country, with a population of over 90,000. Its name comes from the Gaelic word “Luimneach,” which means “empty place.” Limerick’s history dates back over 1,000 years, beginning with a small Viking settlement. At that time, the area where the city is located was a vast steppe, but today, Limerick is a major tourist destination in the country.
In addition to its unique historical monuments, numerous attractions and picturesque surroundings, this city is known for a large number of entertainment venues, cultural events and branded stores. But Limerick is particularly famous for three things – absurd humorous quatrains, meat products and traditional Irish dance performances (“riverdance”). In addition, Limerick has its own harbor, which is constantly visited by commercial and cruise ships. As for the industry, the dominant industries are food, clothing, electrical engineering and steel.
The architecture of Limerick deserves no less attention. Theoretically, the city can be divided into 2 completely different parts. Most of it (the so-called new Limerick) is built in the classic British style. But in the smaller part (the historical part of the city or Old Limerick), the influence of Georgian history can be clearly traced.
Attractions
The sights of Limerick are known far beyond the borders of Ireland. Here are just a few of them.
King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle, located on the Royal Island, is the pride of Limerick’s residents. Combining historical architecture with modern technology, it allows tourists to experience the atmosphere of the medieval era.
The history of the castle-fortress dates back more than 800 years and includes many dramatic stories. King John’s Castle is surrounded by a picturesque park, where you can see medieval forges and theatrical performances that tell the story of the time. The secrets of the castle’s former inhabitants can also be shared by its current employees.
The fortress has exhibition halls and a wax museum. If desired, you can book a private or group tour.
- Address: Kings Island, Limerick, near Nicholas street.
- Opening hours: 10:00 — 17:00 daily.
- Adult tickets cost 13 €, and children’s tickets (4-18 years old) cost 9.50 €.
- Website: https://kingjohnscastle.ie/
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Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum in Limerick is located in an old custom house built on the River Shannon in the mid-18th century. Within the walls of this landmark is a unique collection of valuables. This includes antiques collected by members of the Hunt family, works of art from different historical periods, valuable artefacts found during archaeological excavations, as well as religious items from Ireland and all over Europe. No less noteworthy are the collection of jewels, numbering several dozen gold and silver ornaments, and samples of medieval English ceramics.
Other exhibits include a Pablo Picasso sketch, a sculpture of Apollo, a Paul Gauguin engraving, and a Leonardo sculpture.
In 2011, an art installation “Horse on the Street” appeared at the entrance to the Hunt Museum. It was painted in colorful paints by teenage children.
- Address: Rutland St, Limerick, Ireland.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday is a day off.
- Ticket prices: 10 € for adults (7.5 € when booking online), and free admission for children under 16.
- Website: www.huntmuseum.com.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Limerick Cathedral or St Peter’s Basilica The Virgin Mary Cathedral, located in the heart of the city, is considered one of Limerick’s oldest buildings. A harmonious combination of two different styles (Gothic and Romanesque), it is included in the list of the main historical heritage of Ireland.
The history of this Cathedral began back in 1168, when a royal palace was built on the site of the Viking’s main territorial center. After the death of King Tomond Domhnall Mór Ua Briain, the lands of the royal family were immediately transferred to the Church, and a massive church was built on the site of the castle.
Of course, numerous historical events have made their own changes in the architectural appearance of St. Mary’s Cathedral. However, scientists believe that architectural fragments from that time can still be found in the structure. These include a door on one of the building’s facades (the former main entrance to the palace), an impressive (36.5 m) cathedral tower dating back to the 14th century, and an organ dating back to 1624.
Another attraction of Saint Mary’s Cathedral is the Misericordia, which were made in the late 15th century. These are narrow wooden shelves located on the folding seats and decorated with patterned symbols. Additionally, the cathedral features an ancient altar carved from a single limestone block, which dates back to the time of the Reformation. Today, Limerick Cathedral is a functioning Anglican church, and visitors are welcome to explore it.
Attraction address: Kings Island, Limerick, near King John’s Castle.
University of Limerick
The city of Limerick in Ireland is famous not only for its historical landmarks, but also for its numerous educational institutions. One of these is the University of Limerick, which was founded in 1972 and is considered one of the leading universities in the country.
In fact, it’s not even a university, but a whole campus spread out in the middle of a huge park. The main feature of the University of Limerick is the campus, which has everything you need for study and recreation. No less attention is paid to sports activities. For example, the university has a 50-meter professional swimming pool and a variety of sports facilities (including football and rugby fields). The local landscapes are also striking, represented by unusual natural objects and numerous architectural monuments. Another feature of the establishment is an interesting wobbly bridge.
Address: Limerick V94 T9PX (approximately 5 km from the city center).
The Milk Market
The Dairy Market is a unique place located in the historical part of the city. Unfortunately, the exact date of its foundation has been lost in the labyrinths of time, but historians believe that this trading outlet has been operating for hundreds of years.
The main advantage of The Milk Market is its wide variety of products. Here, you can find items that are not available in standard chain supermarkets, such as organic meat, milk, bread, fish, sweets, cheeses, sausages, and more. Additionally, locals and tourists flock to The Milk Market to enjoy its renowned coffee, which is famous throughout the city.
- Address: Mungret Street, Limerick, Ireland.
- Working days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
St. John’s Cathedral St. John’s Cathedral
When looking at photos of Limerick, it is impossible not to notice the Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, designed by Philip Hardwick, a renowned British architect. The foundation of the future Limerick landmark was laid in 1856, and the first service was held three years later.
St. John’s Cathedral, built from pale blue limestone, is a majestic neo-Gothic structure. It is often referred to as a modern record holder. The tower and its spire stand at a height of 94 meters. This makes St. John’s Cathedral the tallest church building in the Kingdom of Ireland.
The church’s main pride is its colorful stained-glass windows and a 1.5-ton bell, cast by the best craftsmen of the time. The interior of the church is also impressive, with beautiful statues adorning it.
Limerick Holidays
Limerick in Ireland has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, so you can easily find both budget and quite expensive accommodation here. The minimum cost of accommodation in the latter is 42 € per day (the price is for a double room in a 3-4* hotel).
In addition, there are many houses in the city marked with the letter “B”, which indicates that apartments can be rented for 25 € per day. Those who do not want to search for accommodation on their own can use the services of travel agencies.
In Limerick, you won’t go hungry, as there are over 30 gastronomic establishments in the city, not including bars or street cafes. These establishments offer a variety of traditional and international dishes, including Thai, Asian, and Italian cuisine. Most of the establishments are located on O’Connell and Denmark Streets.
The national cuisine of Ireland is quite simple – it is distinguished by an abundance of fish, meat and potatoes. The main culinary attraction of the local restaurant is seaweed with oysters, creamy cream soup with salmon, delicate homemade cheese, meat stew and rice pudding as a dessert. But the most famous dish of Limerick is considered to be a ham with a juniper flavor, made from a whole ham by a special smoking.
As for prices, a traditional lunch or dinner for two at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around 30 €, while a meal at a mid-level restaurant will cost around 70 €. A McDonald’s combo meal costs around 9-10 €.
As for drinks, they are not particularly original, but they are of the highest quality. These include Irish coffee, blackberry wine, and, of course, the famous whiskey and beer.
How to get there?
The nearest airport is located in the neighboring county of Clare in the city of Shannon, which is only 28 km away. The problem is that there are very few direct flights between Shannon and other European cities, so it is more convenient to travel to Limerick from the capital of Ireland, Dublin. There are several ways to do this. Let’s explore each of them.
Rent a car
You can rent a car directly at the airport. All you need to do is contact a company that provides this service. The distance from Dublin to Limerick is 196 km, which takes about 2 hours and costs 23-35 € for 16 liters of gasoline.
Taxi
At Dublin Airport, you can find taxis from almost all companies. The driver will meet you at the arrivals hall with a name tag and take you to your destination at any time of the day. Children are provided with a free car seat. There is also support available in Russian. The service costs a significant amount, at least 300 €. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Bus
Several carriers provide bus services between Limerick and Dublin:
- Bus Eireann (www.buseireann.ie). The fare is 15 €, and the journey takes 3.5 hours. It departs from the bus station and the railway station, both of which are located near the center of Dublin;
- Dublin Coach (www.dublincoach.ie). Runs every 60 minutes from Dublin City — Burgh Quay to Limerick Arthur’s Quay. Travel time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The cost of one trip is 15 €;
Buses are very popular in Ireland, so it’s best to buy tickets in advance. You can do this on the national.buseireann.ie website. It’s also a good idea to check the prices and schedules for the most up-to-date information.
Train
From Dublin’s railway station to Limerick, there are daily trains from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with an hourly frequency. The journey takes 1 hour and 17 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 21-36 euros, depending on the class of the train. Tickets can be purchased at train stations, special terminals, and on the Irish Rail website, journeyplanner.irishrail.ie.
As you can see, Limerick, Ireland is a wonderful place where you can see interesting sights and have a great time.
