Limerick

​The mighty Shannon has defined Limerick. It brought the Vikings here in 922, it played a key role in the Confederate Wars of the 17^th century, and today, it surges through the modern city – crossed by historic bridges, edged by new developments and home to diverse birdlife, including swans, cormorants and herons. As it flows powerfully downstream towards the Atlantic, it passes the 19^th century Gothic Toll House, the 13^th century King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone of 1691 that marked the surrender of the city to William of Orange. And while much of 18^th and 19^th century Limerick was established away from the river, the city now feels focussed around it once again.

Amble along the riverside walking paths, and you can enjoy a vibrant mix of Limerick’s past, as well as its energetic present. There’s the architecturally elegant Hunt Museum, which faces onto the river and shares space with Limerick Kayaking Tours from Nevsail Sports; and there are parks, hotels and restaurants all overlooking the water.

It’s this relaxed mix of old and new that makes Limerick an endlessly rewarding city to enjoy… a place where you can mix outdoor activities, such as towpath walks along quite canals and kayaking on the river, with fast-paced Asian dining and absorbing art exhibitions. And throughout it all, Limerick holds its warm character close to its heart – people are friendly, open and chatty; the city has a cool underground creative scene and an elegant Georgian side; and the river gives this western metropolis a sense of space and movement.

Limerick city serves up everything you could want to keep you entertained for several days, but head outside town and you’re into castle-laden countryside, where you can spend afternoons discovering ancient Celtic dwellings, wandering through open-air folk museums, or exploring the countryside on waterside walks.