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City in Ireland
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Limerick (Luimneach) is a city in County Limerick in the Shannon Region of Ireland, with a population of about 102,000 in 2022. It's a miniature Dublin with its Georgian streets, historic sights, and many visitor amenities, and is a good base for visiting its surrounding county plus County Clare and County Tipperary.
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Built in the 13th century by King John over a Viking fortification. The walls, well bashed about over the years, enclose a large courtyard.
Anglican cathedral founded in 1168, with the tower added in the 14th century. Features include the ceremonial Great West Door, the limestone-slab original altar, and the chandeliers. Buried in the nave is the last High King of Munster, Domnall Mór Ua Briain (d 1194). Sunday service is from 11AM, no visiting then.
Iarsmalann Hunt
Formed from the personal collection of John and Gertrude Hunt, ranging over Classical, Irish prehistoric and early Christian, and Olmec. Plus rotating exhibitions.
Ardeaglais Seán Naofa
This impressive Roman Catholic cathedral is in neo-Gothic style and has the tallest spire in Ireland at 94 m (308 ft). Built in 1861 and designed by Philip Charles Hardwick, it has been in continuous use since. Six bishops are buried here.
Gailearaí Ealaíon Chathair Luimní
Displays all Irish artists, plus large collections of posters and contemporary drawings.
Músaem na nDaoine Luimnigh
Extensive collection of city life, including exhibits on Frank McCourt which are no longer have a separate museum.
It is a working Benedictine monastery and school, which incorporates a Normanesque castle. It's set in attractive gardens and woodlands. Visitors can participate in the liturgy, visit the monastery church or walk the grounds. Others spend days of reflection in the guesthouse.
Performing arts theatre.
They play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the professional European league, and in the European Rugby Champions Cup. They usually play home games at Thomond Park, capacity 25,600, but some games are played in Cork. In 1905 future Irish President Éamon de Valera (1882-1975) was part of a distinguished Blackrock College team and had a trial for Munster, and was even considered for the national team as a full-back. Alas, he took up the much dirtier game of politics.
This is the successor club to Limerick FC, who went bust in 2020. "The Shannonsiders" play soccer in the League of Ireland First Division, the Republic's second tier. Their Markets Field stadium (capacity 4500) is 1 km southeast of city centre. The playing season is March-Nov, with games usually on Friday evening.
Opened in 2001 and staging both flat-racing and National Hunt; the previous course at Greenpark closed in 1999.
For yummy vegetarian food.
Fast food, eat in or takeaway.
Budget food in a pleasant setting.
Good quality fast food.
Good sit-in fish & chips cafe by the railway and bus stations.
Trad fish & chip takeaway.
Gastro pub on riverside, often has live music.
Good Italian and European cuisine.
Trad menu, great atmosphere.
Trad cuisine with views over the Shannon. The name means "goats' crossing" but it would have to be a nimble goat to ford the river just here.
Steak and seafood chain restaurant.
Reliable Italian place. They have other branches at Castletroy and Greenpark.
Steaks, burgers and Texmex cuisine.
Busy Chinese buffet restaurant.
Pizza chain with vegan and GF choices.
Traditional Italian fare earning great reviews.
Trad Irish boozer with TV sport, pool table and decent food.
Popular and crowded. Live music most weekends.
Gastro pub with large outdoor area, does good breakfasts.
There are several Flannery's pubs in town, this gentleman is specifically Michael Flannery. Large venue with 3 bars on two levels.
Great pub for watching the rugby on TV.
Good beer selection, Hoegaarden on tap, nice outdoor area.
Grand traditional pub for relaxing.
Has Irish trad live music and good food.
Busy pub with open mike nights and poetry nights. Wine and whiskey are as much a thing as the beer.
Good friendly inexpensive bar.
Cozy friendly bar, often has Irish live music, Tuesday is open mike.
Owner Nora is renowned for her hospitality and the full Irish breakfast comes highly recommended. Ensuite rooms with TV. Some street noise.
Budget chain hotel near university.
Smart hotel with health and fitness centre, pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Decent central hotel, rooms are small. With Italian restaurant. Parking in own garage nearby if you can find it.
Large mid-price hotel with conference facilities, steakhouse and bar.
Pleasant, ivy-covered red brick hotel on the east edge of town, feels small and cozy although it's actually large. Pub, restaurant and nightclub on grounds, retail mall across main road.
Family friendly hotel with leisure centre, gym and swimming pool. Function rooms available for business meetings and conferences.
Decent mid-range place on business park beyond University Hospital.
Boxy modern building just west of Sarsfield bridge but comfy and convenient for centre, with leisure facilities and meeting rooms.
Good modern central hotel, few lapses.
Chic hotel in Georgian terrace, excellent dining. No dogs.
Upscale spa hotel in city centre. Scores well for comfort and service, parking sometimes a problem.
Slick modern hotel west of city, handy for the airport.
Modern hotel with great service, leisure and conference facilities. Also has spacious suites with kitchenettes.
By train
Hourly trains from Dublin Heuston take two hours.
By bus
Dublin Coach M7 ("Big Green Bus") runs every 30 min from Dublin Burgh Quay, taking 2 hr 45 min via Heuston railway station, Kildare, Annacotty and UL campus at Castletroy.
By car
From Dublin, N7 is all motorway once you get past Naas, 200 km or 3 hours in all.
By bus
Bus Éireann operate frequent buses in Limerick. All routes run via city centre:
By taxi
Taxis bear a yellow bar with their licence number and "taxi" or "Tacsaí" printed on it. If the light is on, the taxi is available for hire. Ignore unofficial taxis.
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Shannon · International · SNN
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