Limerick City & Shannon Heritage
Limerick
About This Route
Limerick has reinvented itself from medieval stronghold to modern cultural hub. This route explores the city's Viking and Norman heritage, the mighty King John's Castle, and the Shannon Estuary's historic sites.
Why This Route?
Limerick offers city heritage and Shannon history:
- King John's Castle - Norman fortress on the Shannon
- Medieval quarter - Englishtown historic core
- Hunt Museum - World-class art collection
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum - Transatlantic aviation history
- Treaty Stone - 1691 siege history
The Route
Limerick City
The Treaty City:
King John's Castle
Norman fortress (1200-1212):
- Interactive exhibitions
- Excavated Viking remains
- Views from battlements
- Family-friendly
St Mary's Cathedral
Medieval cathedral (1168):
- Romanesque doorway
- Misericords (carved seats)
- Active worship
- Free entry
Medieval Englishtown
The oldest part of the city:
- Narrow streets
- Bishop's Palace
- Treaty Stone (1691)
The Hunt Museum
In the Custom House:
- Celtic and medieval art
- Da Vinci drawing
- Picasso ceramics
- Outstanding collection
Georgian Newtown Pery
Planned Georgian city:
- O'Connell Street
- People's Park
- Limerick Lace heritage
- City Gallery
Milk Market
Weekend food market:
- Local produce
- Artisan foods
- Saturday best
- Covered arcades
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Just outside the city:
Bunratty Castle
Most complete medieval castle in Ireland:
- 15th-century tower house
- Furnished interiors
- Medieval banquets (evening)
- Famous worldwide
Folk Park
Open-air museum:
- 30+ buildings
- 19th-century Ireland recreated
- Village street
- Working exhibits
Craggaunowen
Living history site:
- Crannog (lake dwelling)
- Ring fort
- Brendan boat replica
- Bronze Age experience
Foynes
Historic Shannon Estuary town:
Flying Boat Museum
Where transatlantic aviation history was made:
- Pan Am Clipper era
- Original terminal
- Irish coffee invented here (1943)
- Full-scale replica flying boat
The Story
Foynes was the European terminus for transatlantic flights 1939-1945.
Adare
"Ireland's prettiest village":
- Thatched cottages
- Medieval abbeys (3!)
- Adare Manor (luxury hotel)
- Antique shops
Return to Limerick
Through fertile Limerick farmland.
King John's Castle
The Building
Norman fortress controlling the Shannon crossing:
- Twin-towered gatehouse
- Curtain walls
- Excavated foundations
- Viking house site beneath
The Exhibition
Modern interactive displays:
- Siege experience
- Medieval Limerick life
- Archaeological finds
- Rooftop views
The Siege
Limerick was besieged twice in 1690-91. The Treaty Stone marks where the Treaty of Limerick was signed.
Adare's Medieval Abbeys
Trinitarian Abbey
- Now Catholic parish church
- Restored
- Town centre location
Augustinian Friary
- Ruins in golf course
- 14th century
- Accessible
Franciscan Friary
- Ruins by River Maigue
- 15th century
- Atmospheric
Walking
Limerick City Trail
Marked heritage walk through Englishtown and Newtown Pery.
Shannon Banks
River walks from city centre.
Adare River Walk
Along the Maigue.
Practical Tips
- King John's Castle - Allow 2 hours; book online
- Bunratty - Medieval banquets book out; reserve early
- Milk Market - Saturday is busiest and best
- Foynes - Irish Coffee included in admission
- Adare - Very busy in summer; morning best
Recommended fuel stops along this route:
Fuel stations are available in major towns along the route.
