Limerick Is A Thriving Cultural Hub – Visit And Find Out Why For Yourself

Why not treat yourself with a visit to Ireland's Treaty city!

On the banks of the majestic Shannon, Limerick is a city with a long and storied history and a vibrant contemporary cultural scene.

This is a city with a Viking and Norman heritage but it's also the hometown of podcaster and writer Blindboy Boatclub and the chart-topping Cranberries. It's the city of Munster Rugby and Limerick hurling and the base of the World Centre of Irish Culture at the University of Limerick.

The one-time medieval stronghold has an old-town ambience with a modern edginess, the turrets of King John's Castle(pictured above) are a feature on the skyline, alongside the cranes building exciting new developments for this future focused city.

View of Thomond Park from King Johns Castle, Co. Limerick

Thomond Park on a Munster match day heaves with fanatical supporters urging the team that once beat the All Blacks to further sporting glory. The team's form this season hasn't been as consistent but the fans' enthusiasm remains undimmed and they add a massive buzz to city life when they converge upon the town.

If you're lingering in Limerick beyond match day, then a visit to King John's Castle is a must. In this stronghold, King John – brother of Richard the Lionheart and sworn enemy of Robin Hood – built a formidable fortress to bolster his kingdom with taxes he collected locally. The towers and turrets convey a fairytale image, but this was a working military base for the Normans.

Today, the medieval history of his adopted city is brought to life with next-generation computer animated displays.

Thatched cottage in Adare Village, Co. Limerick.

Within a short drive of the city centre is the heritage village of Adare – scheduled to host the Ryder Cup in 2026 – and the ideal base for your stay in Limerick.

The Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel close to Adare is a luxurious location for the family visiting the region, boasting a leisure club spa for relaxing and revitalisation and many other family oriented facilities.

A choice of eating establishments – Timmy Mac's Bistro for traditional Irish food or Fielding's restaurant for a more adventurous cuisine – makes this the complete package in terms of accommodation.

Golf Course at Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

Literary highlights

Nearby in the village is The Dunraven Adare, an 86-room hotel which used to serve as a lodge. This is an opulent old-world establishment reminiscent of a bygone age, a sense heightened when you look out and see the charming thatched cottages in the immediate environs.

While you may be tempted to take on the challenge of the award winning Adare Manor golf course, you can also avail of the hotel's pool and leisure complex before venturing out into the village to try some of the local restaurants, renowned for their gourmet class cuisine.

As well as being an exciting location in itself, Limerick is an ideal base from which to explore Ireland's mid and south west region – be it the majestic shoreline of County Clare with its many pubs boasting the best of traditional music, or the literary bright lights of north Kerry, home of John B Keane, Bryan McMahon and the Listowel Writer's Week festival.

Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, Foynes, Co Limerick

Traditional music heartland

From Adare, for example, you can take a journey along the Shannon estuary to visit the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum. Before the advent of Shannon Airport, transatlantic travellers flew by flying boat to the port of Foynes. It was here that Irish Coffee was invented – a story for another day – so be sure to try one of those in its birthplace!

Longcourt House Hotel in Newcastle West is fast earning itself a reputation for its home from home ambience and local Limerick charm. The luxuriously appointed comfortable rooms complement ideally the excellent hotel restaurant, Table 21, and the buzzing bar with its top class musicians from the locality.

Lough Gur, Co. Limerick

Medieval feasting

As well as being a top class sporting venue, Limerick is ideal for the shopper, mixing high street boutiques with charming side street speciality shops and a diverse range of cafes and restaurants to relax for a few moments as you take a breather from your shopping spree.

And that's not all. There's plenty more to see around Limerick – why not take in a medieval banquet in the nearby Bunratty Castle or take a trip to the Lough Gur Heritage Centre down the road? If you enjoyed the city's medieval heritage, you will tumble even further back the time tunnel to the stone age during your sojourn in Lough Gur.

Or you could always travel by car ferry from Tarbert to Killimer and the west coast of Clare is your oyster – the Cliffs of Moher and the toe-tapping traditional music of Doolin and Miltown Malbay.

Call into Kilkee and see the theatre in which Richard Harris first experienced the limelight before going on to star in A Man Called Horse, The Field and as Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies. Truly magical indeed.

As the late Dolores O'Riordan might sing, there are plenty of reasons to linger in Limerick. But then, such is its charm, you don't really need an excuse...

ABOUT ORIGINAL IRISH HOTELS

Original Irish Hotels are a collection of unique, owner-run hotels, located in Ireland’s most outstanding destinations. Open the door to the magic of unmissable moments with Ireland’s leading collection of independent hotels.

Our 60 hotels are dotted around the entire island of Ireland in must-see locations, from the Wild Atlantic Way, to Ireland’s Ancient East, the Causeway Coast, Dublin and the treasured heartland of Ireland’s midlands and lakelands.

Irrespective of where our hotels are, Original Irish Hotels pride themselves in hosting a unique and truly memorable experience for our guests, and soon to be friends. The collection is made up of a range of traditional and boutique hotels, castles, manor and country houses, all run by locals, ensuring a unique experience every time.