About Limerick

Overview

Limerick is the Republic of Ireland’s third largest city and has a beautiful location on one of Ireland’s most picturesque rivers, the River Shannon. It has a population of 91,000 people within its city and suburbs.

Conquered by the Vikings in the ninth century, this bustling modern city has a rich medieval past, which resounds around its ancient streets.

As well as the internationally renowned Hunt Museum with its exceptional art collection including works from Picasso, da Vinci and Renoir, Limerick also boasts a wonderful medieval precinct with the famous 800-year-old King John’s Castle. 

A bustling, vibrant and exciting destination, Limerick is packed with excellent shops, wonderful restaurants, a bustling nightlife and some enjoyably indulgent accommodation.

It makes a great base for exploring the excellent surrounding sights and is just a 15 minute drive from Shannon International Airport.

 

An Evolving City

The skyline of Limerick city has been transformed in recent years with additions such as Ireland’s tallest hotel, The Clarion and the River Point development.

A major multi-million euro Regeneration Plan to transform Limerick into one of Europe’s most vibrant cities has also been unveiled.

Historically Limerick was one of the main meat processing areas in Ireland but today it is home to many multinational companies including Dell Computers, one of the region’s largest employers.

 

Education in Limerick

Limerick is also an important centre of learning, with no fewer than 10 higher institutes, including Limerick Institute of Technology and the University of Limerick. The UL campus is also home to a 50m Olympic standard swimming pool at the UL arena where international athletes train. 

  

Arts in Limerick

There is a vibrant arts and music scene in Limerick. The Belltable Arts Centre is host for local playwriting and drama while the city is also home to the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Irish World Music Centre, the University Concert Hall and Daghdha Dance Company. 

Limerick has produced bands such as the Cranberries, has been the setting for the movie “Angela’s Ashes” and produced comedians D’Unbelievables (Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny), Jimmy Carr and Karl Spain.

 

Sporting Limerick

It is also a renowned sporting city, famous for its love of rugby and is home to the iconic Thomond Park Stadium. Limerick is often referred to as the spiritual home of Irish rugby and its passionate Munster rugby supporters have been described as among the best fans in the world.

Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds (Pairc na nGael) on the Ennis Road is the county team’s home venue for hurling and gaelic football. Limerick’s Ladies Gaelic Football team are the current All-Ireland Champions 2010. The city’s soccer team, Limerick 37 is based in Jackman Park and the Limerick Lions basketball side compete in Basketball Ireland’s Superleague. The city and suburbs also have many tennis, athletics and golf clubs. The Irish Open (Golf) and All Ireland Corporate Games have both been hosted in Limerick.

 

Media in Limerick

Several local newspapers are published in the city including the Limerick Leader, the Limerick Chronicle, the Limerick Post and the Limerick Independent. Magazines include the Limerick Events Guide, Business Limerick and Limerick Now.

The state run classical station, Lyric FM is based in Limerick and the national broadcaster RTE have studios in the city centre.   

 

Famous Limerick People

Other notable sons and daughters include author Frank McCourt, broadcaster Terry Wogan, soprano Catherine Hayes, journalist Vincent Browne, actor Richard Harris, rugby star Paul O’Connell & Keith Earls, Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and Rose Fitzgerald, mother of John F Kennedy. 

  

A Bit of History

Limerick got its name, according to local historian Mainchin Seoighe, from the Gaelic “Loimeanach” meaning ‘bare marsh’, a name that originally applied to part of the shore land of the Shannon immediately below the present city.

 

Limerick is twinned with:

Quimper, France (1980); Limerick Township, Pennsylvania, USA (1990); New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; Spokane, Washington, USA (1990); Starogard Gdanski, Poland (2006)