The city of Limerick is filled with little “wows.” For starters, it has a gorgeous location that is right on River Shannon’s grey-blue waters. It also has a very interesting history, ranging from the 17th century’s brutal sieges to the 18th century’s grand Georgian era and all of these tidbits are written right into the streetscapes of the town.
There is also the literature, art, and music that fill up Limerick, from the Pulitzer prizewinning writer Frank McCourt to The Cranberries. It is a vibrant city that is also a place of regeneration and tragedy and of “craic” and culture, of famous locals and little secrets. Without a doubt, Limerick is a place that will fill your heart and mind to the fullest.
You can take a stroll through the streets of the city where you can find interesting stories anywhere you go. You will find these stories in the historic headstones cluttering the tiny graveyard of Saint Munchin’s Church that is said to be the place where Limerick’s first bishop was buried. You will also find these stories in the wonderful treasures that are kept hidden in the Hunt Museum’s secret drawers. And of course, you can get a glimpse of these in the eye-catching black and white pictures of local life at Limerick Museum.
The renovated Milk Market on Cornmarket Row is considered as one of the best spots to discover the cultural heart of Limerick City. Sitting right under a large white canopy, Milk Market is like the city’s microcosm that is cool, creative, and colourful with those occasional pop-up restaurant events, music, art, artisan foods, and antiques.
It is only a short walk from the market to Limerick’s Georgian Quarter and there, the streetscapes open up into the elegant and wide avenues with impressive Georgian architecture lining them.
You can find interesting small collections of artefacts and items in People’s Museum of Limerick but the true showpiece here is actually the building itself. It is one of the six grand structures on the Pery Square terrace that is widely regarded as among the perfect epitomes of the island’s Georgian architecture.
The Limerick City Gallery of Art is right down the road that keeps everything fresh with changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
The gorgeous Adare village with its interesting rows of thatched cottages is a must-visit during a day trip from Limerick. However, the region surrounding the city is the home to a selection of castles so be sure that you don’t miss checking out Glin Castle, Desmond Castle, and Blarney Castle while you are here. If you are a fan of watersports, you should head up River Shannon to Lough Derg to try paddleboarding, kayaking, and so much more.
Easy-going and compact, it is best to explore the city of Limerick on foot. Just follow the walkway on the riverside and this will bring you to the old potato market and Saint Mary’s Cathedral. The cathedral established in 1168 is the oldest building in the city that is still used to this day and is filled with surprises of all sorts.
