® Experience the Medieval VISITOR INFORMATION OVERVIEW Quarter of comes Where To Stay START: City Limerick and to LIMERICK bring your Limerick to For details of accommodation in Limerick City and County, as well as attractions and DURATION: 3 – 4 days experience to life, dining. activities or to make a reservation, please call to: TOURS why not take a walking Limerick Information compiled by: Visitor Information Points: VIP tour, a horse drawn carriage is a haven of Office of Communications Civic Trust Main Street, Kilfinane, tour or perhaps a kayaking tour of excellent casual & Marketing House VIP Co. Limerick This 3 to 4 day driving route weaves its Two to three nights in Limerick is ample Limerick City & County Council East Square, Askeaton, t: +353 (0) 63 91748 way through a rich tapestry of castles time to explore some of the sights as the city to see Limerick’s medieval gems dining restaurants serving Co. Limerick and cathedrals, magnificent Medieval, set out in this guide. Accommodation in from a completely different perspective. up everything from contemporary cuisine Tourist Information Offices: t: +353 (0) 87 6305922 Kimallock VIP Georgian and modern architecture, Limerick is plentiful, diverse and offers There is a mind boggling amount of to traditional fare. Tourist Deebert House Hotel, Information Office VIP Kilmalllock, Co. Limerick scenic countryside, buzzing urban excellent hospitality and high standards. history to absorb here, including the 13th Century King John’s Castle. Imagine Continue up the main street, O’Connell Adare, Co. Limerick. Kingfisher Bar, Castleconnell, t: +353 (0) 63 31200 streetscapes and adventure packed t: +353 (0)61 396255 Co. Limerick a Norman soldier’s life in this ancient Street, toward the elegant Georgian activities and attractions. Limerick is also the Gateway to the Wild t: +353 (0) 61 377407 VIP fortress and take in some of the very streets of the Newtown Pery area of Atlantic Way, so use it as a base for Limerick Tourist t: +353 (0) 61 385186 best views of the city from its medieval the city, Limerick’s Georgian Quarter. Information Office Flying Boat These easy to navigate tours will help exploring Ireland’s longest touring route. turrets. St. Mary’s Cathedral is the Explore one of the finest collections of O’Connell Street Museum VIP Make sure to log on to: you explore some of Limerick’s inimitable While you’re here, make sure to engage Experience oldest building in Limerick still in daily Irish contemporary art at the Limerick Limerick City Foynes, Co. Limerick www.limerick.ie t: +353 (0)61 317522 t: +353 (0) 69 65416 culture, heritage and unique experiences with Limerick’s locals – there is a reason use and if the walls could talk what a City Gallery of Art and the area in which and activities. The route is designed so why we are known as Ireland’s friendliest story they would tell! Immerse yourself Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank that you can complete it in its entirety county! in Limerick’s fascinating history at the McCourt (Angela’s Ashes) grew up can over 4 days or take it in smaller one day nearby Limerick City Museum and at the all be found here. A fascinating Museum Contact Information: Limerick Carriage Tours Desmond Banqueting Hall Please Note: LIMERICK chunks. Hunt Museum which houses over 2,000 dedicated to Frank McCourt’s life is on www.limerickcarriagetours.com www.heritageireland.ie This route is intended Tour 1: Limerick City only as a suggestion. You works of art and antiquity including Hartstonge Street. King John’s Castle Limerick Civic Trust Great Southern Greenway TOURS can begin your journey pieces by Renoir and Picasso. Make sure www.shannonheritage.com www.limerickcivictrust.ie/ Limerick - www.southerntrail.net from any point along to also take in some sporting history at No visit to Limerick city would be walking-tours 1 the route. Please note Limerick City Museum Tour 4: N69 Drive complete, without a visit to its and adhere to any signs Limerick’s Thomond Park Stadium. www.limerick.ie Tour 2: East Stonehall Visitor Farm stating ‘Private Property’. welcoming mix of legendary pubs and Visit Ballyhoura www.stonehallvisitorfarm.ie While you soak up Limerick’s amazing buzzing bars. Limerick has some great St. Mary’s Cathedral www.visitballyhoura.com historic sights, don’t forget to also theatres, venues and performance www.limerick.ie Curraghchase Forest Park Glenstal Abbey www.coillteoutdoors.ie savour the here and now. Take in the spaces both here in the city and in Co. The Hunt Museum www.glenstal.org 1. LIMERICK CITY eye-catching urban art dotted around the Limerick with a live music scene that www.huntmuseum.com Basecamp Action Where better to begin your city; check out its eclectic boutiques, its is recognised nationally and new and Lough Gur Visitors Centre Adventure Park www.loughgur.com www.basecampadventurepark.ie Experience Limerick Tours, than in colourful and cosy the established acts can regularly be found Frank McCourt Museum cafés, Limerick www.frankmccourtmuseum.com its city centre. Limerick is an Craft Hub and the award-winning Milk performing across many of our venues. Irish Harp Centre Foynes Flying Boat Museum ideal city to explore on foot or Market farmer’s market. Limerick City Gallery of Art www.irishharpcentre.com www.flyingboatmuseum.com by the city’s very own Limerick http://gallery.limerick.ie Shannon Tarbert Ferry Bike Scheme. Limerick City, one Errors and Omissions If a moment of solitude is desired, our Limerick Milk Market Tour 3: West Limerick Drive www.shannonferries.com of the oldest cities in , is a Every care has been taken in the compilation of this recently developed waterfront provides a guide to ensure its accuracy and compliance with the www.milkmarketlimerick.ie Adare Heritage Centre Viking city dating back to the 9th picturesque and peaceful experience on consumer protection laws of Ireland. Limerick City www.adareheritagecentre.ie Limerick Greyhound Stadium Century and is home to a multitude the banks of the majestic River Shannon and County Council cannot accept responsibility for Thomond Park www.igb.ie errors or omissions, but where such are brought to our www.thomondpark.ie Limerick Racecourse of historical and cultural treasures. as does the beautiful urban oasis that is attention future editions will be amended accordingly. www.limerickraces.ie Karting Its castles, ancient walls and museums the People’s Park. We hope you enjoy your visit to Limerick and the Nevsail Watersports www.limerickkarting.com​ are a testament to its dramatic and Experience Limerick Tours. www.nevsailwatersports.ie RetroVentures Ireland captivating past. Explore King’s Island - www.retroventuresireland.com You will be spoiled for choice when it We would be delighted to hear your feedback and Get West views, suggestions and recommendations. Please tell www.getwest.ie Irish Palatine Heritage Centre us at [email protected]. www.irishpalatines.org

Clare Glens - a peaceful, is an important Norman town and 3. WEST LIMERICK counterpoint of timeworn and venerable quirky and unique Fairy Trail, home to 4. N69 DRIVE on the main road is an absolute must! The wooded, walkers paradise. was at the centre of Ireland’s political DRIVE character. ten fairies who each have their own fairy From the city, with museum recalls the era 1939 – 1945 when Enhance your East Limerick development from the 13th through to door. There is also a worry-tree called 4 Limerick Greyhound trans-Atlantic air traffic between Europe 3 From Limerick take the M/ experience even further the 17th centuries. Nearby Further enhance your experience of ‘Croga’ which promises to take away any and centred on Foynes, N20 to “Ireland’s Prettiest Stadium on your left, take and check out the electric are the impressive villages and towns of Adare with a visit to the farmers market worries you might have if you place your with flying boats using the sheltered strait Village”, Adare, stopping en the N69 to the very historic bikes from Go-Eco bikes in Kilfinane, , Galbally, Emly which takes place every Saturday, hand on the plaque attached to it! From between the village and Foynes Island. route for a breath of fresh air village of . In the . and . indulge in the finest afternoon tea, here, continue to , the Foynes is also the birthplace of the Irish and a walk by the beautiful River general area of the village itself go horse riding, take in a day at the largest town in Limerick County. There’s coffee, concocted for cold and weary Maigue in Croom. Adare is an old world are locations mentioned in Frank Travel back to the main N7 It is no secret that this whole area races at Limerick Racecourse at nearby loads to do here including a visit to the seaplane passengers arriving ashore at village of quaint thatched cottages, Mc Court’s world famous book Angela’s road toward the city and is steeped in history but it is also a , or go golfing in the area’s almost perfectly preserved Desmond the air terminus. medieval buildings and rich heritage Ashes. From Mungret continue on through take the R512 heading in the playground for outdoor pursuits with a world-class and much renowned golf Banqueting Hall, take a stroll through and is truly a gem in Limerick’s crown. the villages of Clarina and . direction of Kilmallock. The whole host of activities designed to get courses. Why not further explore the the magnificent parkland of the Demesne This part of Limerick is blessed with an Antiques shops, boutiques, a Heritage picturesque driving route you are your adrenalin pumping. Brush away the open roads of Co. Limerick or the Wild or get some retail therapy in the abundance of beautiful gardens. Make 2 Centre, cozy country pubs and other Continue on to Kilcornan, where you embarking upon is known as the cobwebs on the longest trail network Atlantic Way with a classic car or retro town’s excellent fashion and accessory sure to stop by Knockpatrick and Boyce retailers jostle for space with a half will find a cluster of fantastic family fun Golden Vale Drive, which will take you of its kind at the Ballyhoura Mountain motorcycle hire from RetroVentures boutiques. Gardens as you’re in the area. dozen or so restaurants, while the ruins activities to keep you and your little ones through some of the most lush, green Bike Trails, try go-karting, go hill or Ireland, located just outside that surround the village add their own entertained. Enjoy the great outdoors and rolling pasturelands in Ireland. mountain walking where the scenery village, just beyond Adare. Stop at and explore this at the vast Curraghchase Forest Park, Continue west along the N69 through Continuing through Ballyneety and on really is a sight to behold or saddle up appealing market town, or get off the check out the selection of farm and exotic Loughill as far as Glin. Situated on the to Lough Gur, 20km south of the city on the forest trails and mountain paths Continue along the N21 to , beaten track and explore on foot or animals at Stonehall Visitor Farm or for banks of the Shannon Estuary, Glin is the 2. EAST COUNTY LIMERICK centre, is one of Ireland’s most important with Ballyhoura Horse Trails. If you have 11km west of Adare. In the 18th by bike, part of the former seat of the Knight of Glin and is AND THE GOLDEN VALE Great Southern something a little less sedate try a spot archaeological locations, with a number any budding environmentalists with century, Sir Thomas Southwell Greenway Limerick, a unique 96km of go-karting. From Kilcornan, drive a home to the lovely Glin Heritage Walks. DRIVE of sites and monuments ranging in date you, make sure to visit Griston Bog introduced the Palatines to the stretch of countryside which follows the short distance west (6km), hopping out From Glin continue on to Tarbert. The Ireland’s Ancient East is steeped in from to Medieval times. At the Outdoor Classroom. area, a group of German- route of the former Limerick to Tralee/ of your car at Askeaton to soak up the car ferry at Tarbert acts as the gateway history, legend, heritage and folklore lake, you’ll see the Grange speaking Protestant Fenit Railway line. local atmosphere and get a real sense of between Clare and Kerry and indeed the and there is a wealth of experiences (the largest stone circle in Ireland), refugees who settled history. In medieval times, Askeaton was Wild Atlantic Way. From here one just waiting to be explored throughout a and the remains of at least here. Today, the Irish Continue through , Ashford a stronghold of the Munster Geraldines, can continue on the N69 Limerick. Tour 2 takes you to some of three crannógs. Stone Age houses Palatine Heritage and Broadford villages at the foothills of the Anglo-Norman Earls of Desmond. Here through Listowel and the county’s many highlights within the have also been unearthed here – while Centre, highlighting the Mullaghareik Mountains. Take note you will find Askeaton Castle, the Hell on to Tralee, Co. Kerry historic heartland of the Ancient East. other features include a number of ring the heritage of this of the simple yet poignant memorial Fire Club, the ruins of the 14th Century or take the ferry to Begin13km north-east of the city on forts and a hill fort. While you’re here, group of people can to the Great Irish Famine in the Church Franciscan Friary and the ruins of the 13th Killimer in Co. Clare the N7 Limerick to Road, in the actively engage with over 6,000 years be found here. grounds at Broadford and the village Century St. Mary’s Church. Don’t pass up and discover what lovely village of Castleconnell. Visit the of history at the fascinating Lough Gur library, which is one of the Carnegie the opportunity to take a guided tour with this beautiful county Irish Harp Centre or perhaps try a spot Heritage Centre. Continue through libraries built by the American Carnegie local guide, Anthony Sheehy, who has has to offer. of angling. Take a walk by Worrell’s End the village of Foundation in the early 1900’s. been conducting tours of his home town or World’s End, the quay that was used For lunch consider stopping off in the Ardagh, where for the last 30 years. during the Great Famine in the 1840’s charming town of or check out the world famous Finish up your scenic West Limerick as an embarkation point for emigrants what it was like to live in the 1900’s Ardagh Chalice, Drive in Ballingarry, where the ruins of Take a short detour off the N69 to fleeing Ireland for the New World. at Old Irish Ways Musuem. Continue on dating from the the DeLacy Castle, originally built by the Shanagolden where adventure awaits in to picturesque , famous for being 8th century was Knights Templar and Knockfierna (the Hill the form of Basecamp Action Adventure From here, continue by car to the the place where former President of found. Continue of Truth) can be seen. Park and get to grips with a whole host village of where you will find Ireland, Eamon de Valera grew up. Make through the of action packed outdoor activities. the magnificent Glenstal Abbey (note sure to stop off in the bustling Walled attractive village of – private property, however, visitors Town of Kilmallock. Kilmallock, also . Hidden away in Continue on to Foynes, where a visit are welcome to walk in the grounds known as the crossroads of Munster, Athea village, behind to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum and to visit the church). Close by is the the Memorial Hall is a Limerick. With four easy to navigate tours, bringing you through Larne Larne one of Ireland’s richest and most diverse visitor experiences, Limerick is also a beautifully central, Belfast Belfast Your destination. inexpensive base from which to tour Ireland’s Ancient Your gateway. East and the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. Visit

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