Touring Limerick

Limerick City, a historic port on the river Shannon, is the main county centre as well as being the third largest city in Ireland. It’s located in the north of the county just by the border with county Clare. The historic buildings can be found on the left bank of the river on an island of the Shannon. In this area is medieval St Mary’s cathedral, founded in 1168. The interior has 15th century black oak choir stalls and misericords, 15th century carvings in the north transept, memorials, and tombs. King John’s Castle, in the medieval heritage precinct, was built 1200-1210. It has massive gatehouse battlements and corner towers and a visitor centre with exhibitions. The Bishops Palace sits next to the castle.

Streets are lined with 18th century Georgian houses. No. 2 Pery Square is a good example. John Square is noted for its old houses and former church. On Henry Street is a Franciscan church completed in the early 20th century. The Limerick Museum on Castle Lane tells the story of the city in photographs and collections that range from silverware and prehistoric artefacts to examples of Limerick lace. The Limerick City Gallery of Art, at the People’s Park, displays works by Irish artists. The Hunt Museum, housed in a customs house on Rutland Street contains a collection of art and antiquities.

At Annacotty, just west of Limerick on the N7, are found the medieval ruins of 12th century Clonkeen church. East of Fedamore (south of Limerick) is the Grange Stone Circle, one of the best surviving monuments of its type. The Caherguillamore area, settled from prehistoric to medieval times, is a famous archaeological site. 19 sites are visible above ground. Castleconnell, north-east of Limerick, is a salmon fishing resort.

Croom, south of Limerick on the N20, claims an historic mill and Geraldine castle. In the Croom Mills, overlooking the river Maigue, is a Heritage Centre, restaurant, craft and furniture shops, and an old millwheel. Displays, exhibits, and an AV presentation tell the story of grain milling. To the east of the town are the remains of a Cistercian abbey, Manister, while in the west are the ruins of a 10th century round tower on the site of a 9th century church.

Sitting in the center of the county near the town of Bruff is Lough Gur. The Lough Gur Interpretive Centre highlights the important prehistoric communities of the surrounding countryside. Two stone circles, a tomb, forts, a ring fort, crannogs, enclosures, and hut sites are gathered here. The Grange stone circle is the largest in Ireland at 150 feet in diameter. Bones of reindeer, bear, and giant deer were found in caves in the area. 15th century Bourchier’s and 16th century Ballygrennan castle and the Knockainey site make up part of the attractions. The centre uses exhibitions and artefacts and an AV show to inform. Four miles north, 12th century Cistercian Monasteranenagh Abbey ruins (a church and chapter house) lie beside the river Camoge.

Southwest of Limerick on the main N20 in the Golden Vale is Adare, considered one of the country’s prettiest villages. In woods and farmland by the river Maigue the 19th century model village has thatched cottages and three ruined abbeys: a 1315 Augustinian priory now a parish church; a 1230 Trinitarian monastery (also called White priory) now a Catholic parish church; and a 1464 Franciscan friary (on a golf course). There’s a 19th century limestone courthouse, and on Main Street is the Adare Heritage and Visitor Centre.

The 60 acre Curraghchase Forest Park lies on the Shannon inlet west of Limerick. The ruined house in the park was the home of poet Aubrey de Vere. At Askeaton are Askeaton castle (seat of the earls of Desmond) and a Fransciscan friary of 1389—nave, chancel, cloister, and 13th century church remains. The West Limerick Celtic Park and Gardens near Askeaton are on the original settlement of an important estate. At the site are 12 authentic re-created features that include a burial tomb and ring fort. The gardens are replete with hundreds of roses.

Ballynacourty Gardens at Ballysteen have a collection of roses and laburnum. The woodland estate grounds contain lakes, the ruins of an 18th century house, a 19th century castle, and Killulta church of the 9th century. Another castle ruin, 13th century Shanid, is located at the town of Shanagolden in north-west Limerick. Nearby is a ring fort and 13th century St Katherine’s abbey Manisternagalliaghduff, a convent of Augustinian canonesses, dissolved in the 1500s. Remains include a 13th century church and refectory.

West of Shanagolden, Foynes lies on the coast. From the hill of Knockpatrick can be seen the ruins of a medieval church. Foynes is noted for its August Irish coffee festival and the Flying Boat Museum where exhibits on aviation from 1939 to 1945 can be found along with the original radio, weather, and terminal rooms. The 15th century ruins of Carrigogunnell castle, two miles north of the village of Clarina, sit on a hilltop provide dramatic views over the Shannon estuary.

Nearby Glin, a dairy centre, is the seat of the Fitzgerald family. Glin Castle is ruined, but a modern one (early 1800s) was built complete with a double flying staircase and excellent plasterwork. Now an upmarket hotel, its gardens are open for paying guests only.

At Rathkeale on the N21 four miles west of Adare are the ruins of a 15th century castle, Matrix. Newcastle West is Limerick’s second largest town. At the town square is mid-15th century Desmond Hall with restored features and a ruined 12th century castle. Dromcollagher lies south of Newcastle West. Two places of interest to visit are the Dairy Museum in a restored creamery and the Irish Dresden Centre. Abbeyfeale, sitting on the county’s far west border with Kerry has a Cistercian abbey of 1188 and Glenquin Castle, built in 1462. The six-storied castle has two well preserved barrel vaulted rooms.

Bruree, just north of Kilmallock on the N20 is the site of the De Valera Museum and Bruree Heritage Centre, which tell the story of a former president of Ireland and the history of this area. A corn mill (no longer working) was constructed in 1850. Its wheel is one of Ireland’s largest.

Kilmallock is a walled town with a park by the Lubagh river. The Blossom Gate dates from the 16th century. The church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 13th with parts of the tower belonging to an ancient round tower. The workhouse in Famine Memorial Park is 19th century. Near the 15th century John’s Castle tower house is the Kilmallock Museum with a small collection and scale models of the town. A guided tour of the town runs from here.

In the town are the ruins of Kilmallock abbey, a 13th century Dominican building. Parts of the tower and a window survive. Kilfinane southeast of Kilmallock, on the border of the county in the Ballyhoura area, is the site of a ring fort. Near the Ballyhoura Way walking path and Ardpatrick, are the hilltop monastic ruins linked to St Patrick.

Moving to the eastern section of the county, the village of Hospital offers the ruins of a 1215 abbey church with tombs. Galbally, on the southeast border near the Galtee mountains leads to the scenic Glen of Aherlow and its river. Here is the ruin of Franciscan Moor Abbey. Nearby Duntryleague Hill is a rare example of a south of Ireland passage tomb.