Limerick is one of Ireland’s most tourist-friendly cities, home to some of the country’s best preserved historical buildings as well as modern shopping and sporting attractions that make the city a great place to live as well as to visit.
If you’re visiting Limerick for the first time, you’ll doubtless want to take in its major sights – and there’s no better place to begin than King John’s Castle, which is impossible to miss on the banks of the River Shannon. Built in the 13th century to defend the city against invaders, this Anglo-Norman construction is an excellent introduction to the Limerick of old, and also offers unparalleled views over the modern city.
You can discover more about Limerick’s history by exploring the Hunt Museum on Rutland Street, which houses a number of impressive artefacts from the Celtic period and throughout history. The museum also features notable artworks from some of the masters, including Picasso and Renoir.
If you feel you’ve overdosed on history during your cultural day out, you’ll never have to travel too far to find a cosy pub or relaxing restaurant in the city, many of which are housed in historical buildings themselves and located in picturesque areas to offer more excellent views of the city and the river. You can also find many restaurants and hotel Limerick close to the city centre that offer the greatest convenience, without the noise that’s often associated with high streets in more bustling cities.
That’s not to say Limerick is lacking in modern attractions and entertainments though, especially if your passion lies in shopping or the favoured local sport of rugby. Thomond Park Stadium can be found here, home to the Munster rugby team as well as a major centre for football tournaments since its redevelopment. As for shopping, walking down the retail havens of Cruises Street, O’Connell Street and Patrick Street offers a huge range of options, from locally owned boutiques to major global brands.
The best place for shopping though is the Crescent Shopping Centre located in Dooradoyle, which is a couple of miles from the city and may require public transport. This day trip could be well worth it though, with more than 37,000 square metres of retail space catering for every possible desire, as well as entertainment options like the 12-screen cinema if you want to unwind or keep the kids entertained on Limerick city breaks.