Let Limerick Surprise You

59 Pages·2012·3.7 MB·English

Ireland’s Activity Centre
Shannon
REGION
Let
Limerick
you
Surprise
www.limerick.ie
www.ShannonRegionTourism.com
www.discoverireland.ie/limerick
Welcome
Welcome to Limerick, a county of surprises.
Ireland’s third largest city but also its most
friendly and welcoming destination; a cultural
hotbed, renowned for its many archaeological
and historic wonders but also awarded the
coveted title of European City of Sport in 2011;
the economic core of Ireland’s Mid-West but
widely known for its warmth and home town feel.
Whatever way you look at it, Limerick will truly
surprise you.
Few regions offer the magical blend of City and
County quite like Limerick. Famed for the
friendliness of its people, whether you are a
veteran or a Limerick debutant, you are sure to
enjoy yourself! With a whole host of superb
accommodation options, family fun festivals,
exciting arts and cultural events and award-
winning restaurants, shopping, buzzing nightlife,
top class activities and attractions, Limerick truly
has something for everyone to enjoy!
Limerick is synonymous with sport so it doesn’t
matter whether you prefer to spectate or
participate, one thing you can rely on is that
there is some major sporting action for you to
enjoy while visiting Limerick City and County.
Limerick,
Friendliest
Ireland’s
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Let Limerick Surprise You
Destination
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Ireland’s Shannon Region I Limerick
Limerick is the birthplace of many famous
people including Sir Terry Wogan, Ireland’s
captain Paul O'Connell, the late Frank McCourt,
Billy Whelan of Riverdance, Hollywood legend
Richard Harris, boxer Andy Lee, renowned
artist John Shinnors, Limerick’s rowing hero
Sean McGowan and chart topping rock band
the Cranberries to name but a few.
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Let Limerick Surprise You
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Contents
Page
Introduction:
Limerick City 4
Limerick County 5
Your 3 Day Itinerary 6
Special Interest Itineraries 8
25 Things To See & Do
Limerick City 10
Limerick County 11
Festivals & Events 12
Landmarks & Attractions 14
Adventures & Activities 32
Wine, Dine & Entertainment 46
The Best Places To Stay 49
Visitor Information:
Location, Limerick City & County 50
Limerick City Map 52
Limerick County Map 54
Tourist Information Centres 56
Useful Websites & Phone Numbers 57
Ireland’s
West Coast
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Ireland’s Shannon Region I Limerick
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The Charm and
Friendliness of
Limerick City
Limerick is a modern, riverside city with a population of
100,000 people built around a medieval core on King’s Island.
Limerick, which has a charter older than that of London, is a
vibrant, bustling metropolis that continuously reinvents itself,
pleasantly surprising the visitor each time they stay. From the
medieval quarter at King’s Island with its castle, cathedral
and museum, to the elegant splendour of the Georgian new
town, Limerick is brimful of delightful historical and
architectural surprises.
For those on a weekend break or those planning a longer stay;
whether you come for some retail therapy or to appreciate
Limerick’s art and cultural scene; to watch a sporting event or
to enjoy a concert, there is a wealth of attractions and
activities for you to enjoy.
Limerick’s citizens are renowned for the passion with which
they support all sports, particularly Rugby and the GAA.
Limerick City is home to some of the very best stadia and
sporting infrastructure in Ireland including Thomond Park
Stadium, home to the mighty red army of the Munster team,
the Gaelic Grounds, the University of Limerick Arena and the
recently developed €20 million Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
So make sure to get in on the sporting action when you come
to town!
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Let Limerick Surprise You
Rural Majesty
& Splendor of
Limerick County
County Limerick has rolled out the green carpet to welcome
you! From the diversity of its breathtaking landscapes and
spectacular coastline, to the mystical charms of its ancient
past and its picturesque towns and villages full of character,
County Limerick is full of colour and charm. Some of Ireland’s
most impressive archaeological and historical sites including
the 5,000 year old Neolithic settlement at Lough Gur are
located in the County. You will also find a unique museum
specialising in the history of aviation in Foynes, to the West of
the County.
County Limerick is a playground for outdoor pursuits! Here
you can go angling in plentiful waters, golfing on our world
renowned courses, try wake-boarding in Castleconnell, go
biking on the longest trail network of its kind at the
Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails in south Co. Limerick or go
horse riding in wonderfully scenic surroundings. Don’t feel
obliged to take part though – instead come horse racing at
Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell, Co. Limerick!
It has often been said that perhaps Limerick’s biggest
attraction of all is the people themselves who are warm, witty
and welcoming! So whether you are visiting city or county, or
both, you are sure to enjoy your stay.
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Ireland’s Shannon Region I Limerick
Your 3 Day
Itinerary
DAY 1: Discover Limerick City
Your 24 Hour Limerick Itinerary:
Bustling Limerick City, the Country’sthird largest cityhas
a pace and dynamism you’ll find almost nowhere else in
Ireland. Put simply, Limerick is a place for getting out and
about. In the city centre the medieval glories of King’s
Island, home to the magnificent King John’s Castle, St. Mary’s
Cathedral(the oldest building in Limerick still in
daily use),and the nearby Limerick Museumand Hunt
Museumsit alongside pedestrian plazas lined with colourful
boutiques, upmarket hotels, legendarypubsand nightclubs
and award-winning restaurants, cafesand the recently
developed, all-weather Milk Market. The Georgian Quarter is
also a gem in Limerick’s crown, with the elegant Georgian
House and Garden, the newly developed Limerick City Art
Gallery, the Frank McCourt Museumand the award winning
People’s Park. While Limerick is a sophisticated and
cosmopolitan city, it is easy to find yourself drawn into
conversation or debate by the warmth
in the welcome of the locals.
DAY 2:
Explore West County Limerick
Your 48 Hour Limerick Itinerary:
In contrast to the buzz of the City, County Limerick is a place
of rural charmand great beauty. Today, take the N69tour
(Limerick’s Coastal Route). Stop off in Kilcornan’s cluster of
tourist attractions where you will find Curraghchase Forest
Park, Stonehall Visitor Farm, Rigneys Farmhouseand
Kilcornan Karting. From there carry on to the medieval town
of Askeatonwith its 15th Century ruin and the well-
preserved Franciscan Friary. Next stop is Foynes, whose
flying boat port played an important part in international
aviation history. An absorbing museum commemorates the
predecessor to Shannon Airport in Co. Clare and the home of
the Irish Coffee. From here make your way to Newcastle West
with its top visitor attraction Desmond Hall, followed by the
town of Rathkealeand it’s beautiful Georgian houses with
columned porticoes and ornate fanlights. Finish up your day
with a visit to Adare, whose thatched cottages and medieval
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Let Limerick Surprise You
churches make it “Ireland’s Prettiest Village”. As in Limerick
City, the County also has a flourishing restaurant sceneand a
wide range of top quality accommodationchoices to suit all
tastes and budgets.
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DAY 3: of this route.
Explore East County Limerick
Your 72 Hour Limerick Itinerary:
On day three of your visit to Limerick, take a trip eastwards
to some of Limerick’s most attractive towns including
Castleconnell, Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Medieval Kilmallock
and Bruree, the birthplace of Eamon De Valera. Other East
Limerick County gems include the outstandingLough Gur
Heritage Centrewhich is home to the Grange Stone Circle,
one of Ireland’s most intriguing archaeological sites and the
mountain villages of Ballyhourain the Golden Vale where
mountain biking, trekking and outdoor pursuitsare the name
of the game.
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Ireland’s Shannon Region I Limerick
Special Interest
Itineraries
Art Lovers
Begin your day by calling to the Limerick Tourist
Information Office at Arthur’s Quay for a copy of The Art in
the Street: Through the Lensguide, which will help you
locate a wide range of art and artefacts in both traditional
and contemporary styles on Limerick’s city streets. Continue
on to theHunt Museum, where you will find an array of both
Irish and International art and antiquities including works by
Yeats, Renoir, Picasso, Henry Moore and Leonardo Da Vinci.
While in Limerick, make sure to call to the Limerick
Printmakerswhere you can view an inspiring collection of
works in their onsite gallery. Take in a visit to the newly
developed Limerick City Gallery of Art, set in the Carnegie
Building on Pery Square which houses a fine Permanent
Collection of 18th, 19th and 20th Century Irish Art in
addition to ongoing exciting contemporary exhibitions by
Irish and International artists including the renowned EV+A
exhibition. Other must see collections include that of the
Belltable Arts Centre,Occupy Spaceon Catherine Street and
the University of Limerick Art Collection.
Tot’s Tours
Step back in time with a visit to King John’s Castleon King’s
Island, the Medieval Quarter. Head out over Thomond Bridge
toward the magnificent Thomond Park, home of Munster
Rugby where budding rugby stars can test their skills on the
various interactive games in the Munster Rugby Museum.
After lunch in one of the city’s many restaurants or cafes
travel out the N69 and follow a nature trail in Curraghchase
Forest Park or visit Stonehall Visitor Farmwhere a huge range
of animals can be seen. End the day with either a visit to one
of the city’s cinemas, or if the kids still have energy to burn
take them bowling at Funworldon the Ennis Road or indoor
roller skating at Roller Jamon the Ballysimon Road. If they
are younger children they might like to play in the ball pools
of Tons of Fun, Delta Adventure Cityor Formula for Fun.
Culture Vultures
If it’s culture you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice in
Limerick City. Catch a show in theUniversity Concert Hall,
Loft Theatre at the Locke Bar or the Belltable Arts Centre.