Ireland's Third City
Limerick is Ireland's third city and the one most unfairly overlooked by international visitors. For much of the late 20th century it had a troubled reputation, but the city that exists today is confident, regenerated, and genuinely rewarding to visit. The medieval core around King John's Castle is one of the best-preserved Norman urban landscapes in Ireland. The Hunt Collection, housed in the University of Limerick, is one of the finest private collections of art and antiquities in the country. And the surrounding county, from the thatched village of Adare to the prehistoric landscape of Lough Gur, is exceptional.
Limerick is also a practical base. Shannon Airport is 25 minutes away, making it a natural first or last stop for transatlantic travellers. The Cliffs of Moher are less than an hour to the north. Killarney is 90 minutes to the southwest. The city punches well above its perceived weight.
Top Things to Do in Limerick
1. King John's Castle
The centrepiece of Limerick's medieval history, King John's Castle is a 13th-century Anglo-Norman fortress on King's Island in the River Shannon. It was built on the orders of King John of England in 1200 and is one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Europe. The interactive exhibition inside covers 800 years of history on the site, including pre-Norman remains visible through the floor. The views from the battlements over the Shannon and the city are excellent.
2. The Hunt Museum
John and Gertrude Hunt assembled one of the most extraordinary private art collections in Ireland over the mid-20th century, ranging from a Picasso sketch and a Renoir to a Giacometti, a Vermeer, and a da Vinci bronze horse. The collection is housed in the elegant Palladian mansion of Rutland Street and spans 6,000 years. Admission is modest and the experience is genuinely surprising. Few collections in Ireland have this range in this intimate a setting.
3. Adare Village
Twenty minutes south of Limerick, Adare is widely considered the prettiest village in Ireland: a single main street of thatched cottages built by the Earl of Dunraven in the 19th century, with several ruined medieval abbeys and a gothic manor house (now a luxury hotel) in the grounds. The Franciscan Friary in the golf club grounds and the Trinitarian Priory in the village itself are both worth exploring. Adare Manor is worth a look even if you are not staying.
4. Lough Gur
A horseshoe-shaped lake 20km south of Limerick, Lough Gur is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Ireland, with 5,000 years of continuous human settlement visible in the landscape around it. The Great Stone Circle at Grange, 45 metres in diameter, is the largest stone circle in Ireland. Crannog islands, earthworks, standing stones, and ringforts dot the shoreline. The visitor centre does a good job of contextualising the landscape. It is quiet, atmospheric, and largely undiscovered by international visitors.
5. Cliffs of Moher Day Trip
The Cliffs of Moher are less than an hour from Limerick, making the city one of the best bases for visiting Ireland's most dramatic coastline. Guided tours depart from Limerick city daily in season, typically combining the cliffs with the Burren and Poulnabrone dolmen. A straightforward drive if you have your own car.
6. Limerick City Gallery of Art
The municipal gallery at Pery Square houses a strong permanent collection of Irish art and rotating temporary exhibitions. Entry is free and the gallery sits at the edge of the People's Park, one of the better urban parks in Ireland. A good combination with a walk around the Georgian Newtown Pery district nearby, which has some of the finest Georgian streetscapes in Ireland outside Dublin.
Best Tours from Limerick
GetYourGuide
Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
The closest major city to the Cliffs, Limerick makes an ideal departure point. Full day tour including Burren limestone landscape and the Atlantic cliffs.
Book on GetYourGuide
Viator
Limerick Medieval Walking Tour
An expert-guided walk through Limerick's medieval core: King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral, the city walls, and the story of the 1651 siege.
Book on ViatorGetting to Limerick
Shannon Airport (SNN) is 25 minutes from Limerick city and is a transatlantic hub with direct flights from Boston, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, plus European connections. This makes Limerick an excellent first stop for North American visitors arriving into Shannon and doing a clockwise loop: Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Dublin. Irish Rail connects Limerick to Dublin (2.5 hours) and Cork (1.5 hours) directly.