Limerick City Ireland
The fourth largest city on the Irish Island (pop. 70,000), Belfast included, offers an engaging introduction to the country for those many, many visitors who begin their tour here after the half-hour trip from Shannon Airport. Limerick is a major port, an inevitable product of its enviable position on the river Shannon, and while the city has a reputation for industry, those it is' most famous for are all amiably light: traditional Limerick lace, still produced here; wonderfully cured hams and bacon; salmon fishing; and flour milling.
Limerick (in Irish, Luimneach) is a city of narrow streets, handsome Georgian houses, and impressive public buildings such as the Custom House and the Town Hall. This gracious architecture hardly reflects Limerick's violent history, however. Invaded by the Danes in the early 10th century, the area suffered many long years of skirmishing, which ended only when the Vikings were finally crushed by the Irish chieftain Brian Bonl. He made Limerick the capital of Munster. In the 12th century, the Anglo Normans conquered the town, and, settling on the island formed by the river Shannon and its tributary, the Abbey, they built stout walls to keep the natives at bay.
The history of Limerick Ireland
This area became known as English Town, and the section across the river as Irish Town. Undeterred by walls, the Irish continued to make sallies into English Town, led by the King of Munster, Donal Mor O'Brien. Upon his death in 1194, however, the Normans consolidated their position, and in 1210 King John ordered a strong castle and fortified bridge built to control the crossing point of the river Shannon. In later years the city walls were extended for added security.
During the 17th century the city was torn between revolts by the Irish, who seized the city, and sieges by the English under King William III and his followers, the Williamites. The Treaty of Limerick, signed in 1691, was to end hostilities and grant political and religious liberty to the Irish Catholics, but repeated violations of the treaty forced thousands into exile. Many of Limerick's most important landmarks Thomond Bridge, the city walls, and St. Mary's Cathedral have associations with these turbulent times. This year, the city is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Limerick with a yearlong program of events (see Special Events below).As befits a city that is the major western gateway to Ireland, contemporary Limerick has a great deal to offer besides its ancient history and sites.
A roster of activities includes fishing, horseback riding, horse racing, golfing, and swimming and boating on the Shannon. The medieval banquets held at the nearby Bunratty and Knappogue castles, as well as the dis at the Folk Park, offer a delightful if somewhat rowdy sampling of traditional Irish hospitality.
The countryside of Limerick and car hire
The best way to get around Limerick is to hire a car at the airport in Ireland when you arrive, and that way you can take advantage of the stunning countryside in the region.The countryside surrounding Limerick has a quiet beauty, perfect for a peaceful day's rambling: Low hill ranges ruffle the plains, and small towns rise here and there, each with its ruined castle, abbey, or bridge.
Unlike most Irish cities, Limerick does not have important literary connections. It is, however, the home of the limerick, that famous five line rhyme derived from a round game in which an individual extemporized a nonsense verse, followed by a chorus that included the words Will you come up to Limerick? Over the years the term limerick became associated with the rhyme scheme aabba, devised by the 19th-century nonsense poet Edward Lear.
Where to go in Limerick Ireland
Thomond Bridge The present bridge, dating from 1840, was designed by Irish architect James Pain to replace the 13th-century structure erected by King John to defend the city, The original had a guardhouse and gate at the west end and a drawbridge at the east end near the castle. The Treaty Stone, on which the famous Treaty of Limerick reputedly was signed in 1691, is on the west side of the new bridge.
Medieval Quarter Limerick - this area is bordered by Mary and Castle Streets and the Granary on Michael Street. Among other notable buildings, it includes King John's Castle and St. Mary's Cathedral as well as a number of almshouses.
King John's Castle Limerick - This fortification at the east foot of Thomond Bridge was built in 1210 by King John to guard the city against invaders. It is one of the oldest examples of Norman architecture in Ireland, with rounded gate towers standing sentry over the curtain walls. In the 18th century, military barracks were installed within the walls,and, later, houses were built i the castle yard, some of which remain, As went to press, the castle was closed Indefinitely for excavations of what is believed to be a Viking settlement. For more Information, contact the tourist office.
St. Mary's Cathedral Limerick was established in 1172 by Donal Mor O'Brien, the last King of Munster, It has been restored and extended a number of times and combines features from many different centuries. Note especially the unusual (and unique in Ireland) 15th century choir stalls whose misericords are carved with many medieval emblems including those of Richard III.
Ball's Bridge Limerick - The original structure on this location linked the turf of the conquerers with that of the natives Irish Town, The bridge had no battlements, but rather supported a row of houses. These disappeared in 1830 when the present bridge was constructed.
Limerick Walls Forming a rough diamond shape, the Limerick walls run east and southeast from Ball's Bridge, along Old Clare and Lelia streets to the grounds of St. John's Hospital. There were four main gates: East Watergate, John's Gate, Mungret Gate, and West Watergate. The largest remaining portion of the walls is behind Lelia Street.
Traces of the Black Battery (where a small band of defenders successfully resisted ) are found on the hospital grounds, while a badly deteriorated bit can be seen from Pike's Row in the direction of High Street.There are two other sections one forming part of the building housing Sinnotts Joinery Works and the other standing in the Charlotte Quay parking lot.
St. John's Cathedral Originally intended as a parish church, this Gothic Revival cathedral built in the 19th century eventually became the see of the Catholic diocese, It houses two of Ireland's most remarkable ecclesiastical treasures, the magnificently carved miter and crozier made by Cornelius O'Dea, who was one of Limerick's bishops In the 15th century, At 280 feet, St. John's spire is the highest in Ireland; it's more ornate than the rest of the structure. The memorial to Patrick Sarsfield, hero of the 1690-91 sieges, which is located on the cathedral grounds, was rendered by John Lawlor of Dublin in 1881. At Cathedral Place.
St. John's Square A few steps from the cathedral, this square constructed around 1751 was once lined with fashionable stone houses owned by the local gentry, The square declined slowly over the years until the 20th century, when the houses were used less. Glamorously as offices, tenements, barracks, and a butcher shop.
Eventually they fell Into neglect and were abandoned, but the square has recently undergone restoration and the area is being revived, Newtown Pery Just 200 years old, this is the new part of Limerick a grid of streets roughly extending between Sarsfield Street on the north and the Crescent on the south.
Named after Edward Sexton Pery, a speaker of the Irish House of Commons, under whose patronage the renovation was begun, the development was distinctly Georgian In character, with townhouses constructed of red brick. In the Crescent is a memorial to Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator founder of the movement for Catholic emancipation rendered by Irish sculptor John Hogan in 1857.
Granary Originally opened as a Georgian grain store in 1787, this old building was renovated a decade ago and has become the social and commercial hub of Limerick :Ife. Set among the quays near the river Shannon, it includes a tourist office, the city library, shops, restaurants, and taverns.
Limerick places to go
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park The original castle on this site was built in the 15th century by the McNamara family but was appropriated around 1500 by Conor O'Brien, Earl of Thomond. Refurbished in the 1950s, it is now famous for the colorful medieval banquets presented in the great hall every evening (see Nightclubs and Nightlife), but the castle also houses an incredible collection of European paintings, furniture, and tapestries dating from the 14th to the 17th century. From the battlements, the view of the surrounding countryside is splendid as it was for the earl's warriors.
Behind the castle is a model village, with cottages, a replica of a 19thcentury hotel, . school, doctor's office, pub. post office, print shop, workshops, and exhibits demonstrating how people in different regions of Ireland lived and labored years ago: The castle and folk park are both on the main Ennis road. Admission charge. Quin Abbey Although the Franciscan friary, dating from 1402, is now roofless and in ruins. the tombs of the founding McNamara clan are still intact.
Quin Craggaunowen -This project, like Bunratty, was developed to document lifestyles in Ireland long ago. The complex has both a ring fort dating from early Christian times and a crannog, or lake dwelling (stone hut situated on an island). typical of the Bronze Age.
The castle on the grounds is a fortress built by the McNamara family in the 14th century. In the intervening years it suffered neglect, but it is now restored and contains many medieval artifacts.
Ballycasey Craft Courtyard and Design Centre Limerick - The crafts workshops here encompass everything from basketry to leatherwork to pottery. Adjacent to the center stands Balleycaseymore House, a Georgian style building that contains an international art gallery. Both attractions are open daily year-round. Shannon, 10 miles west of Limerick, about 3 miles from Shannon Airport.
Laugh Gur, Dublin - Around this lake are found a number of ancient ruins, including stone circles, cairns, dolmens, and crannogs. Human bones, weapons, and pottery have all been unearthed here and experts estimate earliest habitation of the site to be 2000 BC.
A guide to the area and a self guided walking tour booklet can be obtained from the Limerick Tourist Board.
Hunt Museum Limerick - Donated by Celtic historian John Hunt, who also sponsored the Craggaunowen project in Quin, this is a collection of many artifacts found in Ireland dating from the Bronze and Early Iron ages.
Flying Boat Museum Limerick - An aviation and maritime center at Foynes (a small town southwest of Limerick City on the Shannon estuary), this museum focuses on Ireland's importance in the development of air travel from the US. In the early days of transatlantic flights, from the 1930s to the mid1940s, Foynes was a principal landing, take-off, and berthing port in Europe for flying boats and sea planes.
The museum houses a variety of memorabilia and equipment including an original terminal; a working version of the Short brothers' Sunderland Flying Boat; radio, navigation, and meteorological devices; and film footage from the flying boat era. There is also a tearoom with 1940s-style decor.
Knappogue Castle Limerick - Built in 1467 by the McNamara family, this castle was bought in 1966 by an American and restored to its original l5th-century elegance. Surrounded by lush green pastures and grazing cattle, Knappogue presents an imposing front.The interior is no less impressive, with its soaring ceilings and handsome antique furnishings. Ask to see the owners' magnificent private dining room.
Limerick (in Irish, Luimneach) is a city of narrow streets, handsome Georgian houses, and impressive public buildings such as the Custom House and the Town Hall. This gracious architecture hardly reflects Limerick's violent history, however. Invaded by the Danes in the early 10th century, the area suffered many long years of skirmishing, which ended only when the Vikings were finally crushed by the Irish chieftain Brian Bonl. He made Limerick the capital of Munster. In the 12th century, the Anglo Normans conquered the town, and, settling on the island formed by the river Shannon and its tributary, the Abbey, they built stout walls to keep the natives at bay.
The history of Limerick Ireland
This area became known as English Town, and the section across the river as Irish Town. Undeterred by walls, the Irish continued to make sallies into English Town, led by the King of Munster, Donal Mor O'Brien. Upon his death in 1194, however, the Normans consolidated their position, and in 1210 King John ordered a strong castle and fortified bridge built to control the crossing point of the river Shannon. In later years the city walls were extended for added security.
During the 17th century the city was torn between revolts by the Irish, who seized the city, and sieges by the English under King William III and his followers, the Williamites. The Treaty of Limerick, signed in 1691, was to end hostilities and grant political and religious liberty to the Irish Catholics, but repeated violations of the treaty forced thousands into exile. Many of Limerick's most important landmarks Thomond Bridge, the city walls, and St. Mary's Cathedral have associations with these turbulent times. This year, the city is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Limerick with a yearlong program of events (see Special Events below).As befits a city that is the major western gateway to Ireland, contemporary Limerick has a great deal to offer besides its ancient history and sites.
A roster of activities includes fishing, horseback riding, horse racing, golfing, and swimming and boating on the Shannon. The medieval banquets held at the nearby Bunratty and Knappogue castles, as well as the dis at the Folk Park, offer a delightful if somewhat rowdy sampling of traditional Irish hospitality.
The countryside of Limerick and car hire
The best way to get around Limerick is to hire a car at the airport in Ireland when you arrive, and that way you can take advantage of the stunning countryside in the region.The countryside surrounding Limerick has a quiet beauty, perfect for a peaceful day's rambling: Low hill ranges ruffle the plains, and small towns rise here and there, each with its ruined castle, abbey, or bridge.
Unlike most Irish cities, Limerick does not have important literary connections. It is, however, the home of the limerick, that famous five line rhyme derived from a round game in which an individual extemporized a nonsense verse, followed by a chorus that included the words Will you come up to Limerick? Over the years the term limerick became associated with the rhyme scheme aabba, devised by the 19th-century nonsense poet Edward Lear.
Where to go in Limerick Ireland
Thomond Bridge The present bridge, dating from 1840, was designed by Irish architect James Pain to replace the 13th-century structure erected by King John to defend the city, The original had a guardhouse and gate at the west end and a drawbridge at the east end near the castle. The Treaty Stone, on which the famous Treaty of Limerick reputedly was signed in 1691, is on the west side of the new bridge.
Medieval Quarter Limerick - this area is bordered by Mary and Castle Streets and the Granary on Michael Street. Among other notable buildings, it includes King John's Castle and St. Mary's Cathedral as well as a number of almshouses.
King John's Castle Limerick - This fortification at the east foot of Thomond Bridge was built in 1210 by King John to guard the city against invaders. It is one of the oldest examples of Norman architecture in Ireland, with rounded gate towers standing sentry over the curtain walls. In the 18th century, military barracks were installed within the walls,and, later, houses were built i the castle yard, some of which remain, As went to press, the castle was closed Indefinitely for excavations of what is believed to be a Viking settlement. For more Information, contact the tourist office.
St. Mary's Cathedral Limerick was established in 1172 by Donal Mor O'Brien, the last King of Munster, It has been restored and extended a number of times and combines features from many different centuries. Note especially the unusual (and unique in Ireland) 15th century choir stalls whose misericords are carved with many medieval emblems including those of Richard III.
Ball's Bridge Limerick - The original structure on this location linked the turf of the conquerers with that of the natives Irish Town, The bridge had no battlements, but rather supported a row of houses. These disappeared in 1830 when the present bridge was constructed.
Limerick Walls Forming a rough diamond shape, the Limerick walls run east and southeast from Ball's Bridge, along Old Clare and Lelia streets to the grounds of St. John's Hospital. There were four main gates: East Watergate, John's Gate, Mungret Gate, and West Watergate. The largest remaining portion of the walls is behind Lelia Street.
Traces of the Black Battery (where a small band of defenders successfully resisted ) are found on the hospital grounds, while a badly deteriorated bit can be seen from Pike's Row in the direction of High Street.There are two other sections one forming part of the building housing Sinnotts Joinery Works and the other standing in the Charlotte Quay parking lot.
St. John's Cathedral Originally intended as a parish church, this Gothic Revival cathedral built in the 19th century eventually became the see of the Catholic diocese, It houses two of Ireland's most remarkable ecclesiastical treasures, the magnificently carved miter and crozier made by Cornelius O'Dea, who was one of Limerick's bishops In the 15th century, At 280 feet, St. John's spire is the highest in Ireland; it's more ornate than the rest of the structure. The memorial to Patrick Sarsfield, hero of the 1690-91 sieges, which is located on the cathedral grounds, was rendered by John Lawlor of Dublin in 1881. At Cathedral Place.
St. John's Square A few steps from the cathedral, this square constructed around 1751 was once lined with fashionable stone houses owned by the local gentry, The square declined slowly over the years until the 20th century, when the houses were used less. Glamorously as offices, tenements, barracks, and a butcher shop.
Eventually they fell Into neglect and were abandoned, but the square has recently undergone restoration and the area is being revived, Newtown Pery Just 200 years old, this is the new part of Limerick a grid of streets roughly extending between Sarsfield Street on the north and the Crescent on the south.
Named after Edward Sexton Pery, a speaker of the Irish House of Commons, under whose patronage the renovation was begun, the development was distinctly Georgian In character, with townhouses constructed of red brick. In the Crescent is a memorial to Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator founder of the movement for Catholic emancipation rendered by Irish sculptor John Hogan in 1857.
Granary Originally opened as a Georgian grain store in 1787, this old building was renovated a decade ago and has become the social and commercial hub of Limerick :Ife. Set among the quays near the river Shannon, it includes a tourist office, the city library, shops, restaurants, and taverns.
Limerick places to go
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park The original castle on this site was built in the 15th century by the McNamara family but was appropriated around 1500 by Conor O'Brien, Earl of Thomond. Refurbished in the 1950s, it is now famous for the colorful medieval banquets presented in the great hall every evening (see Nightclubs and Nightlife), but the castle also houses an incredible collection of European paintings, furniture, and tapestries dating from the 14th to the 17th century. From the battlements, the view of the surrounding countryside is splendid as it was for the earl's warriors.
Behind the castle is a model village, with cottages, a replica of a 19thcentury hotel, . school, doctor's office, pub. post office, print shop, workshops, and exhibits demonstrating how people in different regions of Ireland lived and labored years ago: The castle and folk park are both on the main Ennis road. Admission charge. Quin Abbey Although the Franciscan friary, dating from 1402, is now roofless and in ruins. the tombs of the founding McNamara clan are still intact.
Quin Craggaunowen -This project, like Bunratty, was developed to document lifestyles in Ireland long ago. The complex has both a ring fort dating from early Christian times and a crannog, or lake dwelling (stone hut situated on an island). typical of the Bronze Age.
The castle on the grounds is a fortress built by the McNamara family in the 14th century. In the intervening years it suffered neglect, but it is now restored and contains many medieval artifacts.
Ballycasey Craft Courtyard and Design Centre Limerick - The crafts workshops here encompass everything from basketry to leatherwork to pottery. Adjacent to the center stands Balleycaseymore House, a Georgian style building that contains an international art gallery. Both attractions are open daily year-round. Shannon, 10 miles west of Limerick, about 3 miles from Shannon Airport.
Laugh Gur, Dublin - Around this lake are found a number of ancient ruins, including stone circles, cairns, dolmens, and crannogs. Human bones, weapons, and pottery have all been unearthed here and experts estimate earliest habitation of the site to be 2000 BC.
A guide to the area and a self guided walking tour booklet can be obtained from the Limerick Tourist Board.
Hunt Museum Limerick - Donated by Celtic historian John Hunt, who also sponsored the Craggaunowen project in Quin, this is a collection of many artifacts found in Ireland dating from the Bronze and Early Iron ages.
Flying Boat Museum Limerick - An aviation and maritime center at Foynes (a small town southwest of Limerick City on the Shannon estuary), this museum focuses on Ireland's importance in the development of air travel from the US. In the early days of transatlantic flights, from the 1930s to the mid1940s, Foynes was a principal landing, take-off, and berthing port in Europe for flying boats and sea planes.
The museum houses a variety of memorabilia and equipment including an original terminal; a working version of the Short brothers' Sunderland Flying Boat; radio, navigation, and meteorological devices; and film footage from the flying boat era. There is also a tearoom with 1940s-style decor.
Knappogue Castle Limerick - Built in 1467 by the McNamara family, this castle was bought in 1966 by an American and restored to its original l5th-century elegance. Surrounded by lush green pastures and grazing cattle, Knappogue presents an imposing front.The interior is no less impressive, with its soaring ceilings and handsome antique furnishings. Ask to see the owners' magnificent private dining room.
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