By Air

Access to Limerick by air is handled by Shannon Airport, the regional air hub, located about 30 minutes by car from the city centre. Several major airlines provide regular services from the UK and many cities in Europe. Flights between North America and Limerick are limited due to a tight air travel restriction between the two countries. From the airport, there is a convenient bus shuttle service to Limerick.

By Rail

There are regular train services from every main town in the country to Limerick. Irish Rail operates direct trains from Dublin, Cork and Killarney, and all other towns can be accessed from these hubs.

Eight trains run daily from Dublin; two from Rosslare Harbour, Tipperary and Cahir; and one each day from Cork. All trains arrive at Limerick’s Colbert Station, which is centrally located and also serves as the city’s main bus terminal. A high-speed commuter rail line is being planned between Dublin and Limerick, which will run hourly services between the two cities. The new rail line is scheduled to open by the end of 2007.

By Bus

Bus Eireann provides all the bus services between Limerick and the other cities in Ireland. There are regular connections with Dublin (1 hour, 15 minutes), Tralee (2 hours), Cork (1 hour, 50 minutes) and most of the other main towns in the region. Bus Eireann also operates the bus service between Shannon Airport and the city centre.

All buses arrive at Limerick’s central bus terminal, Colbert Station, which is also the city’s train terminal. From Colbert Station, it’s a short walk to the city centre. There are tourist information and currency exchange kiosks at the Bus Eireann information desk.

King Johns Castle, Limerick Museum, Lough Gur Prehistoric Site, Glin Castle, Adare Heritage Centre

Adare Heritage Centre

If you are looking for a quintessential Irish village then you’ll want to spend an afternoon in Adare, just 16kms south of Limerick. This town of 1,000 souls, set along the Maigue River, is full of picturesque thatched roof houses and Tudor-style homes with lovely gardens and ivy-covered medieval churches. To learn more about the town’s colourful history, stop at the small, friendly heritage centre. A walkthrough exhibit of Adare’s past, along with a model of the town as it was in medieval times, puts it all in perspective.

Glin Castle

For the past 700 years, this gleaming white castle has been the home of the knights of Glin. The rambling 395 acre estate is full of gardens, forests and farmland, ready to be explored. The current knight of Glin is a keen historian and preservationist. His collection of 18th century Irish furniture and memorabilia is quite impressive. You can even stay the night at the castle in royal accommodation, for a king’s ransom.

Lough Gur Prehistoric Site

12.5mi/20km south of Limerick, at Holycross on the bow-shaped Lough Gur, lies a prehistoric site (National Monument) of exceptional interest. During the 19th C. the lough was partly drained, when evidence of occupation going back to the Neolithic period was found. The following features are particularly notable: No. 4, a wedge-shaped passage grave (ca. 2000 B.C.); No. 7, a stone fort (eighth century); No. 8, an oval stone fort (Early Christian period); No. 12, a Neolithic burial place surrounded by a double earthwork, with a standing stone in the middle; No. 16, a burial mound with a circle of standing stones (c. 1500 B.C.); No. 17, a fine double stone circle with an earth rampart and a ditch (age uncertain); No. 22, a small stone circle of large slabs; No. 23, a crannog (originally an artificial islet, now linked to the shore); and No. 28, an imposing stone circle (c. 2000 B.C.), a cult site with an almost monumental entrance.

There are also two medieval structures, Bourchier's Castle (16th C.) and Black Castle (14th C.), and the ruined 17th C. New Church.

Limerick Museum

This small but award-winning museum provides an excellent insight into Limerick’s history. It contains exhibitions about the archeology, natural history, civic treasures and traditional arts and crafts of the city. Historical maps, prints and photographs round out the collection. Among the more interesting items on display here are the city’s original charter, signed by King Charles II and Oliver Cromwell, and the civic sword given to the city by Queen Elizabeth I.

King Johns Castle

This royal fortress on the banks of the Shannon River is the centrepiece of Limerick’s historic area. Dating from 1210, when King John of England ordered a strong castle to be built here, the building is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Ireland. Inside are some interesting audiovisual commentaries about the castle’s history along with a handful of artefacts. The best view of the castle is from the west bank of the river, or you can walk along the battlements and climb the towers for a sweeping view of the structure.

May - October

July - August -> 13(°C) - Summer
December - February -> 3(°C) - Spring

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