THINGS TO DO
The city of Limerick boasts galleries, theatres, excellent restaurants and a world class museum housed in the restored Custom House. Only a few miles from the city, the University of Limerick has played a major part Limerick’s growth. Set on a magnificent parkland campus on the River Shannon, the University is the centrepiece of the National Technological Park. Above all, Limerick is a haven for Irish traditional music and you can find a lively ‘session’ on any night of the week.
King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle is a 13th century Castle on ‘King’s Island’ in the heart of medieval Limerick City. The castle overlooks the majestic river Shannon. Discover history at its best, magnificent views and life in Norman times. Explore 800 years of history brought to life in the imaginative historical exhibition, excavated pre-Norman houses, fortifications, siege mines, and the battlement walks. King John, as “Lord of Ireland” minted his own coins and the Royal moneyer would have struck the coins in the castle mint. The sights, scenes and sounds of the castle and its environs all combine to recreate the atmosphere of the era. For further information visit
The hunt museum
The Hunt Collection is housed in Limerick city’s finest 18th Century building, the Custom House; an elegant Palladian style building. This collection contains a dazzling assemblage of objects. John and Gertrude Hunt selected each piece in the collection according to the quality of its design, craftsmanship, artistic merit. It is not just the big names such as Picasso, Renoir and Gauguin which afford the Hunt collections its legendary status but also the superb quality of the work on display by anonymous craftsmen. The Hunt family generously donated the collection to the people of Ireland, so that the pleasure they derived from it might be shared by as many people as possible.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
The acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour. It now contains 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art, the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country.
Bunratty Folk Park set on 26 acres is where 19th century life is vividly recreated. The Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. Meet and chat with the Bean an Tí and various street characters including the Policeman and Schoolteacher who give the site its sparkle. Enjoy the charming village complete with school, post office, doctor’s house, hardware shop, printers and of course the pub.
The formal Bunratty Walled Gardens is modelled on the original Regency period garden and is now refurbished in typical Victorian style. For further information please see
Cliffs of Moher & The Burren
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s top Visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.
www.cliffsofmoher.ie
The Burren, in North County Clare and parts of South County Galway covering an area of 160 square km, is unique – it is like no other place in Ireland. The Burren takes its name from the Irish word ‘bhoireann’ meaning, ‘a stony place’ or ‘a rocky place’, which is a good description for this 350 sq kilometres limestone plateau in North Clare. The rough, intriguing and attractive landscape was formed 320 million years ago under a tropical sea. Later it was shaped by ice, hard weather and, of course, man and his beasts.
The many wedge tombs and megalithic tombs prove that people have been living in the Burren for more than 5000 years. One of the more famous megalithic tombs, the portal dolmen at Poulnabrone, dates back to around 2,500 BC.
Activities
Gaelic football, hurling, golf, horse-racing, walking and cycling are also particularly popular pursuits in Limerick. We will be happy to help you arrange activity excursions as part of your tailored package
The Saturday Food Market
Every Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Saturday Food Market is the region’s most famous market which has been operating for over 150 years. It’s a real ‘buzzy’ market and a source of exceptional produce. Here you’ll discover the very best of fresh, natural produce from great farmhouse cheeses and chutneys, just-caught fish and artisan meats, organic fruit & vegetables, to delicious healthy breads and fresh pressed juices. You’ll also be able to snack on gourmet sandwiches, wraps, pastries, chocolates, delicious crepes, soups and freshly brewed teas & coffees or buy fresh flowers and vibrant plants.
