County Limerick is to be found in the
south-west of Ireland within the province of Munster. With a
population of 184,000, Limerick is one of Ireland’s more densely
populated regions. However, nearly 30% of the county’s residents
live in Limerick city which is the Republic’s third largest city.
The city stands on the wide River Shannon just before the river
discharges into the Atlantic Ocean via a long estuary on the
northern county border. There are two important Irish ports in
County Limerick, one for smaller vessels on the outskirts of
Limerick city, and a second one at Foynes further to the west which
can handle large ocean-going ships which cannot navigate the Shannon
any farther due to the shallowness of the estuary upstream. The
county also relies on the air transport link provided by Shannon
Airport in neighbouring County Clare which is only 20 km from the
city of Limerick, although the city has its own airstrip a Coonagh.
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A stroll through Limerick city centre’s vibrant shopping streets is
always a safe and pleasurable experience. The eastern fringes of the
city straddling the attractive River Shannon forms home to a major
Irish university, UL and therefore the city has a large student
population. This influx of peace-loving intellectuals somewhat
balances the threat of a few under-privileged so-called gangsters in
the less prosperous suburban estates. The province’s successes on
the European rugby union circuit have helped to unite residents
behind a positive cause.
Adare Castle
Adare is regarded as a fine example of the medieval fortified castle
in Ireland and is one of a number of outstanding castles situated in
County Limerick. It is sited on the north bank of the River Maigue
in a strategic position on a substantial earlier ringwork where it
was able to control traffic on the river. It was an important
stronghold of the Earls of Desmond. A strong, square keep forms the
defensive core of the castle that stands within a walled ward
surrounded by a moat. Beside the river is the great hall, with early
13th century windows looking out on to the river, and nearby is a
kitchen and a bakery. A major programme of conservation and
restoration works has been completed and access to the site is
available by Guided tour Access to Adare Castle is managed in
partnership with the Adare Heritage Centre located at Main Street,
Adare. Guided tours to Adare Castle operate from the Adare Heritage
Centre bymeans of a shuttle bus service to and from the castle.
Location: Adare Castle is situated close to the main road-bridge
over the River Maigue on the N21 approach to Adare Village from
Limerick. (Please note however that visitor access to the castle is
through the Adare Heritage Centre in Adare Village).
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Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA)
Limerick City Gallery of Art is home to an important collection of
Irish paintings and also holds the National Collection of
Contemporary Drawing and exhibits a wide range of artists, local,
national and international.
Limerick City Gallery of Art also hosts the ev+a exhibition every
year. A leading international curator selects from an open
submission to curate the exhibition, which is displayed throughout
Limerick City.
The Painting Collection: Limerick City Gallery of Art is home to an
important collection of Irish paintings which spans a period
stretching from the 18th century to the present day. The paintings
demonstrate a variety of styles describing different trends in
recent western European history.
The National Collection Of Contemporary Drawing: Limerick City
Gallery of Art holds the National Collection of Contemporary
Drawing. Drawing is one of the most intimate, most immediate and
most natural creative acts- a print of human exchanges of emotion,
ideas, plans and explanations. Many of the drawings demand that we
suspend our desire to forge literal sense from the work, and look
instead at what is given and feel comfortable in assuming partial
responsibility for interpretation of the work.
The Sculpture Collection: Sculptors seem to betray a special
sensitivity to materials, and enjoy working in three dimensions.
Nowadays, sculpture often includes pieces that work with natural and
built environments, addressing particular natural features,
architecture or social attitudes of different places.
The Photography And Multi-Media Collection: With advances in
technology the tools and means for making art have increased. Many
contemporary artists make use of photography, video and newer
digital technologies in their practice.
The Contemporary Exhibition Programme: Limerick City Gallery of Art
exhibits a wide range of artists, local, national and international.
Work in many different media is shown including painting, sculpture,
drawing, photography, installation and new media.
Desmond Hall
West Limerick preserves many of Ireland's surviving spacious
medieval halls. The Desmond Banqueting Hall is an imposing
two-storey structure and was used by the Earls of Desmond for
banqueting and entertainment. The Hall, vaulted lower chamber and
adjoining tower were all constructed during the 15th century (the
hall and chamber were built on the remains of a 13th century
structure of similar size). Its restored medieval features include
and oak musicians' gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.
Stonehall Visitor Farm
Stonehall visitor farm is a must for all visitors to the Shannon
Region. Located in a tranquil and beautiful rural setting, this
tourist attraction allows the visitor to experience first hand the
enjoyment and fun of a wide variety of animals in a secure and
pleasant setting. Suitable for all ages, a visit is assured to be an
enjoyable and educational event. Even on those wet rainy days the
children can enjoy the indoor play area with tractor & trailers,
rough riders & monkey magic bouncing castle. Location: On the
Limerick to Foynes Road (N69) 17 kms from Limerick City
King John's Castle - Limerick City
Experience 800 years of history in Limerick City.
King John’s Castle is situated in the heart of Limerick’s Medieval
Heritage Precinct, on the River Shannon at “Kings Island”. The
Castle was built between 1200 and 1210. It was repaired and extended
many times over the following centuries. King John’s Castle remains
a most impressive Anglo-Norman fortification. It retains many of the
pioneering features which made its construction unique for its day.
Its massive gatehouse, battlements and corner towers await
exploration!
Features include:
• 13th Century Anglo-Norman Castle with panoramic views of Limerick
City, the River Shannon and surrounding countryside.
• The visitor centre contains an imaginative historical exhibition,
which recounts the history of the castle in dramatic fashion.
• Archaeological excavations situated beneath the interpretative
building include the earliest evidence of settled life in Limerick
and evidence of siege mines. The courtyard displays some of the
trades and traditions of the 16th century. Visitors can also see the
13th century undercroft of the officers’ quarters which were
excavated in 1993-1995.
• King John, as “Lord of Ireland”, minted his own coins and the
Royal moneyer would have struck the coins in the Castle Mint.
Exciting archaeological excavations:
The visitor enters another world when exploring the exciting
archaeological excavations at King John’s Castle. These excavations
have revealed pre-Norman houses which predate the castle. There is
also evidence of the traumatic Castle siege of 1642. Mines, and
countermines used to destroy them, were exposed. In one clay tunnel,
a period pistol was found. A reconstruction of one of the siege
mines, also in situ, is an added attraction, enabling the visitor to
experience something of the fearful atmosphere of those times. A
life size statue of the Limerick poet Michael Hogan (1826 - 1899),
Bard of Thomond is outside King Johns Castle. Limerick sculptor Jim
Connolly has produced a six an a half foot bronze statue which
stands on a plinth which is a replica of the plinth under the Treaty
Stone. The Bard is best remembered for his epic poem, Drunken Thady
and the Bishops Lady.
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Terra Nova Gardens
A beautiful designed and richly planted half-acre garden, which has
featured on RTE Radio 'Planting Passions', twice in both 'The Irish
Garden' magazine and the 'Sunday Times' and was awarded 'Best Garden
in the 32 Counties' in the All-Ireland Viking Irish Garden
Competition 2005 awards presentation in the National Botanic Gardens
in Glasnevin, Dublin, 26 September 2005. A plantsman's paradise,
full of imaginative features and unusual plants around every corner.
The garden is also home to Terra Nova Plants, a small nursery that
specialises in rare and out of the ordinary plants. See our website
for list of the plants/seeds and photos.
Kilmallock Museum And History Trail
This museum holds a small collection of implements dealing with
industrial, farming, rural, shop and home life in the 19th and 20th
centuries. It also features scale models of houses excavated in the
area, and a large model of medieval Kilmallock. A guided tour of the
town is available. Thirteen points of interest are marked by
information plaques. Tourist map of town available in selected shops
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Ireland
Lough Gur Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre at Lough Gur tells the story of the pre-Celtic
settlers of Ireland who farmed and lived in this peaceful valley.
The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the activities of
the first farmers in the region, their dwelling, rituals, and burial
sites as well as their tools and implements, many of which can be
seen in the visitor centre. The story of the people stretches back
over 5,000 years and continues to the present day in the people who
still farm and dwell in the valley. The Visitor Centre houses an
exhibition of artefacts and display panels as well as an AV show
which interprets the area.
Limerick City Museum
Limerick Museum won the first Gulbenkian Award in 1992. Its
comprehensive displays illustrate the long and varied history of
Limerick City and its surrounding area. The collection includes
civic antiquities, artefacts from the Stone and Bronze Ages and
Medieval times, award-winning examples of Limerick lace, a trades
history display and a currency display
Towns and Villages
Outside of Limerick City, the county landscape is noticeably made up
of flatter terrain than neighbouring counties in Munster. Principal
towns of note in Limerick are Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Croom and
Pallas Green. Adare is a particularly pretty village, full of
original dwellings with thatched roofs, designated as a Heritage
Town. Other interesting towns include Annacotty, Ardagh, Askeaton,
Athea, Ballingarry, Ballyagran, Ballylanders, Broadford, Bruff,
Bruree, Caherconlish, Cappamore, Carrigkerry, Castleconnell, Doon,
Galbally, Glin, Hospital, Kilfinnane, Kilmallock, Knocklong,
Mountcollins, Mungret, Montpelier, Oola, Pallaskenry, Patrickswell,
Rathkeale and Shanagolden.
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