Limerick Hotels & Information
Limerick County, a place of quiet beauty and rural charm, stretches from the beautiful Golden Vale in the East to the tidal estuary of the River Shannon. It is bordered to the south by County Cork and Kerry to the South-west,Tipperary to the east and Clare to the north. The county is situated fifteen miles from Shannon Airport, making it very accessible to tourists.
Limerick County is a strong tourism destination with its internationally acclaimed Adare Heritage Village, Ballyhoura Country, Route 69 and a range of farm based tourist attractions.
Limerick City, over a thousand years old, has a colourful and fascinating history, with castles, ancient walls and museums a testament to its past. King John of England granted the city its charter in 1197 and King John's Castle was built which still exists. This has been restored and is now a tourist attraction containing an historical exhibition. Archaeological excavations underneath the interpretive building show earliest evidence of settled life in Limerick. Beside the castle is Limerick City Museum, exploring the city's past.
The Hunt Museum, situated in the Custom House is well worth a visit. This contains one of the country's best private collections of art and antiquities, including the Limerick Mitre and Crozier from 1450, a gold cross worn by Queen Mary on the day of her execution and paintings by da Vinci, Picasso, Renoir and Yeats.
The Georgian House and Garden in Pery Square has been completely restored to its original, both in architecture and d?cor.
Towns & Cities
The main urban towns of Limerick are Newcastle West, Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, and Askeaton & Foynes. A particular feature of the county is its range of attractive small towns and villages like beautiful Castleconnell by the Shannon, and Dromcollogher, the home of Irish Dresden.
Adare is a very pretty village about 30kms south-west of Limerick, well known for its old world thatched cottages and medieval churches. Adare Manor, on the edge of the town, has been restored and is now an impressive hotel and golf course. Just west of Adare is the Norman Matrix Castle, dating back to the 15th century.
Local attractions/activities
Bunratty Folk Park, County Limerick: A re-creation of an 18th-century Irish village.
Aughinish Alumina Nature Trail, Askeaton. Located along the banks of the River Deel, this nature trail provides an excellent opportunity to view a wide range of wildlife.
Lough Gur Stone Age CentreBruff. Lough , Gur is one of Ireland's most important prehistoric sites. The visitor centre, on its lakeside site, provides evidence of the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwellings, ritual and burial sites, as well as their tools and implements.
Glin Castle: on the banks of the river Shannon, dates back to the 18th century, is home to the Knight of Glin, and contains a fine collection of art and antiques. The Demesne is a formal garden with well-kept shrubs, flowers and a fine vegetable garden.
Celtic Theme Park & Gardens, Kilcornan: Situated on an original Celtic settlement and on one of the most important Cromwellian plantations in the South west of the country, this beautiful park contains a stone circle, dolmen, Ogham stone, communal tomb and Celtic chieftain chair. The gardens offer a panoramic view of the countryside.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum: Foynes was the eastern terminus for air traffic between the U.S. and Europe from 1939 and 1945.and the museum has an extensive range of exhibits. Irish coffee, famous the world over, was invented in Foynes, to warm up passengers chilled by inclement weather.
Croom Mills Waterwheel & Heritage Centre: has an exhibition detailing working conditions for 19th century millers and blacksmiths.
Desmond Banqueting Hall in The Square, Newcastle West: was built in the 15th century and its medieval features include a restored musician's oak gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.
Sport Activities
Limerick is considered by many to be the sporting capital of Ireland with excellent facilities for all sporting activities. Horse racing is a popular pastime in Ireland and Limerick Race Course is one of the best.
Horse riding, shooting, golf and hill walking are all widely available. Water sports enthusiasts are well served in Curraghchase Activity Centre and Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre, both in Limerick. The Limerick/Adare area is rich in game/course and sea angling and offers a wide choice of locations. There is great salmon fishing in the tidal parts of the Shannon (it goes tidal around the point where it passes Limerick City). The Mulcair River and its tributaries offer good trout and grilse fishing.
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