- King John’s Castle: A 13th-century Norman castle on King’s Island in Limerick City, overlooking the River Shannon. Visitors can expect interactive exhibits on medieval history, including siege reenactments, and access to the castle’s towers and battlements for panoramic views. The visitor center features touchscreens, costumed guides, and a café, making it engaging for all ages.
- The Hunt Museum: Located in Limerick City’s Georgian Custom House, this museum houses a private collection of 2,000 artifacts, from ancient treasures to modern art. Visitors can expect displays of Celtic gold, medieval religious artifacts, and works by Picasso and Yeats. Guided tours, a riverside café, and a gift shop enhance the cultural experience. Workshops and events are often held.
- Adare Village and Heritage Centre: Often called Ireland’s prettiest village, Adare is known for its thatched cottages and historic sites. Visitors can expect to explore the Adare Heritage Centre, which details the village’s history, and visit landmarks like the 13th-century Desmond Castle (guided tours, seasonal) and Adare Park. The village’s boutique shops, restaurants, and Holy Trinity Abbey add charm.
- Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum: In Foynes, this museum celebrates the town’s role as a 1930s-1940s transatlantic aviation hub and the invention of Irish coffee. Visitors can expect to board a replica Boeing 314 Clipper, explore exhibits on aviation history, and enjoy an Irish coffee-making demonstration. The maritime section and control tower views offer additional insights.
- Limerick City Gallery of Art: Situated in People’s Park, Limerick City, this gallery showcases contemporary and historical Irish art. Visitors can expect free entry to rotating exhibitions featuring artists like Jack B. Yeats, alongside a permanent collection. The gallery’s setting in a 1906 Carnegie building, with a café and nearby park, makes it a relaxing cultural stop.
- Thomond Park Stadium: Home of Munster Rugby in Limerick City, this iconic stadium offers a glimpse into Ireland’s rugby passion. Visitors can expect guided tours of the stadium, including the pitch, dressing rooms, and a museum with memorabilia from Munster’s Heineken Cup victories. Interactive exhibits and match-day experiences (if scheduled) appeal to sports fans.
- Curraghchase Forest Park: A 313-hectare woodland estate near Kilcornan, once home to poet Aubrey de Vere. Visitors can expect walking and cycling trails through forests and lakes, with chances to spot deer and rare birds. The ruins of Curraghchase House, an 18th-century mansion, add historical intrigue. Picnic areas and a playground make it family-friendly.
- Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails: Ireland’s largest mountain biking trail network, located in the Ballyhoura Mountains near Ardpatrick. Visitors can expect over 98km of trails for all skill levels, from beginner loops to challenging descents, set in scenic woodlands. Bike rentals, a visitor center, and nearby walking trails cater to outdoor enthusiasts.
- Castleconnell and the River Shannon: A picturesque village along the River Shannon, known for its fishing and Georgian architecture. Visitors can expect serene riverside walks, angling opportunities (salmon and trout), and visits to historic sites like the Castleconnell ruins. Local pubs and the Shannon Rowing Club add to the village’s relaxed charm.
- Lough Gur: A prehistoric site near Bruff, featuring Ireland’s largest stone circle and archaeological remains from 3000 BC. Visitors can expect a visitor center with exhibits on Neolithic life, guided or self-guided tours of the stone circle, crannógs, and lake views. Walking trails and storytelling events bring the ancient history to life.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Limerick:
Ireland’s county Limerick combines historic landmarks with riverside charm, with Limerick City’s King John’s Castle offering insights into medieval history along the Shannon. The Hunt Museum showcases an eclectic art collection, while Adare’s thatched cottages and historic manor add picturesque appeal. Other attractions include the nearby Ballyhoura Mountains’ cycling trails. Limerick is Ireland’s tenth largest county by size (2,686 sq km), and ninth largest by population (209,536). Population peaked at 330,029 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 133,339 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Limerick is Ireland’s seventh most visited tourist county with around 420,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
