Limerick City & Surrounds Itinerary

IRELAND'S BLUE BOOKCOUNTRY HOUSES, HISTORIC HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Limerick is Ireland’s third largest city and has a beautiful location on one of Ireland’s most picturesque rivers, the River Shannon. Conquered by the Vikings in the ninth century, this bustling modern city has a rich medieval past, which resounds around its ancient streets.

As well as the internationally renowned Hunt Museum with its exceptional art collection including works from Picasso, da Vinci and Renoir, Limerick also boasts a wonderful medieval precinct with the famous 800-year-old King John’s Castle.

A bustling, vibrant and exciting destination, Limerick is packed with excellent shops, wonderful restaurants and some enjoyably indulgent accommodation and makes a great base for exploring the excellent surrounding sights.

Places of Interest

Limerick City

King John's Castle

The castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The visitors centre at the castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition which tells the story of the castle. The courtyard and castle display some of the trades and traditions of the 16th century with the aid of costumed characters.

King John, as “Lord of Ireland” minted his own coins and the Royal moneyer would have struck the coins in the Castle mint. Today you can receive your own special coin as a souvenir of your visit to the Castle. The sights, scenes and sounds of the Castle and its environs all combine to recreate the atmosphere of the era.

The castle offers panoramic views of Limerick city and the surrounding countryside.

The Hunt Museum

Exhibiting one of Ireland's greatest private collections of art and antiquities, dating from the Neolithic to the 20th Century, including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats.

During a visit to the museum you can choose to explore the collection by yourself or take one of the regular guided tours. There is no extra charge for tours.

Tours take approximately one hour and vary according to the guide. The tour can be a Highlights tour or for (pre-booked groups) explore a theme or focus on particular areas or objects from the exhibition. During a Highlights tour expert guides will explore the Hunt Collection and the lives of the collectors. You can view the art of Picasso, Renoir and Yeats, stunning works from medieval times and examine weapons and tools from the Celtic period. Also included is a visit to the Jewellery Gallery, to view the Mary Queen of Scots Cross, and to the Treasury, to see the Greek coin reputed to be "one of the thirty pieces of silver" paid to Judas for the betrayal of Christ.

The Treaty Stone

Limerick City's most famous monument, the Treaty Stone gets its name from the tradition that The Treaty of Limerick, 03 October 1691, was signed on the stone itself.

"Angela's Ashes" Tour of Limerick

This walking tour is based on locations featured in Angela's Ashes, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by the late Frank McCourt. This book is a major best seller world-wide and the film starred Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson. Location route includes Arthur's Quay, River Shannon, Windmill Street, Barrack Hill, Leamy's School, Parnell Street and much more.

For further information visit the Discover Ireland website.

Limerick County:

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

The Foynes Flying Boat Museum is dedicated to recalling that historic time from 1939 to 1945, when Foynes, Ireland, became the center of the aviation world. On July 9th 1939, the luxury Pan Am Flying Boat, the "Yankee Clipper" landed at Foynes. This was the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this quiet little town on the Shannon became the focal point for air traffic on the North Atlantic.

In 1942, Brendan O'Regan opened a restaurant and coffee shop in the Foynes terminal building and employed a Chef named Joe Sheridan. It was not long before Joe realised that the passengers coming to wait in the terminal in cold and rainy weather needed something to make the coffee a bit stronger. Thus, Irish Coffee was born.

Adare Village

Adare is regarded as being Ireland's prettiest and most picturesque village, and is a haven for those wishing to escape and unwind taking in its medieval surroundings. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the river Shannon, Adare is steeped in history dating back to 1200ad. Adare has been the subject of many rebellions, wars and conquests, leaving behind a legacy of historical monuments.

Today, Adare village is an architectural wealth of scenic beauty. The mix of centuries is blended into everyday life as some of the thatched cottages are home to arts and crafts shops. The main street of Adare is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monastries and ruins and the picturesque village park.

Close to Limerick City

Lough Gur

Explore 6000 years of ancient civilisation at Lough Gur

Lough Gur has been a place of continuous habitation for at least 5,500 years since the arrival of the Neolithic people and represents in microcosm each of the different ages from the Stone Age to the Post-Medival Period. People come to Lough Gur for its beauty and tranquillity but many more want to find out more about this magical place. In response to this demand, local historian Michael Quinlan established the Lough Gur Guides to allow others access to the wonderful history, folkore and archaelogy of the place.

Guided tours commence at 11am and 4pm on Sundays until the middle of August. Assemble at the steps to the Heritage centre at Lough Gur lake front.The 11am tour comprises a walking tour only while the 4pm tour will include a drive to Tempaill Nua, Wedge Tomb and the Grange Circle.

Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare

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 and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Today, the castle stands peacefully in delightful grounds. The houses and cottages of the folk park spread out at the foot of its massive walls, much in the way that the cottages and crofts of old would have clustered around its base. We invite you to wander through the castle and marvel at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country which brings to life a vital part of our Medieval past.

Bunratty Castle closes each day at 4pm to prepare for the Medieval Banquet

Other places of interest in Limerick include Askeaton Castle, Dromore Castle and Limerick Racecourse.

Stay in a Blue Book House nearby:

The Mustard Seed

Nestled in the heart of the county Limerick countryside is The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, a converted 19th century convent. The celebrated and comfortable Echo Lodge is set on ten acres of gardens, the stylish country house provides luxury accommodation coupled with the world renowned restaurant. It is an ideal base for touring the South West region located only ten minutes from Adare Villageand close to Shannon Airport, a 40 minute drive.

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com