There are lots of things to do in Limerick, Ireland. It is known for its charming old towns from medieval-era, Georgian townhouses, hidden gardens, museums, pubs, and castles. Limerick is a county in the Republic of Ireland and its biggest city is also called Limerick.
Limerick City is the center of the culture and history of this county and it’s only around 2 hours away from Dublin.
This guide consists of the best things to do in Limerick City and the rest of Limerick county.
Things you'll find in this article
- 23 Fun Things To Do In Limerick Ireland
- Check out the museums in Limerick
- Be amazed by the Castles in Limerick
- Visiting the churches is one of the best things to do in Limerick
- Learn from the historical sites in Limerick
- Relax at the gardens in Limerick
- Have a picnic in the parks
- Explore the charming villages in Limerick
- Other things to do in Limerick
23 Fun Things To Do In Limerick Ireland
Check out the museums in Limerick
1. The Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum houses one of Ireland’s greatest private collections of art and antiquities, dating from the Neolithic to the 20th Century. These collections are owned by the Hunts Family who are well-known art collectors in Ireland. This collection includes works by world-renowned artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Gauguin, Giacometti, and Yeats.
The museum holds about 2500 different artifacts from Ireland and abroad and some of them even came from stone-age Ireland.
Operation Hours
Monday to Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sundays 2 pm-5 pm
Admission Fee
Hunt Museum
Adult: €7.50
Adult Group: €5.50
Senior: €5.50
Student (16+) €5.50
Child (Under 16) Free
Lavery & Osborne Exhibition
Adult: €10.00
Adult Group: €5.50
Senior: €5.50
Student (16+) €3.50
Child (Under 16) Free
Combi Ticket
Adult: €12.50
Adult Group: €10.00
Senior:€10.00
Student (16+) €7.00
Child (Under 16) Free
Contact Information
Address: Address: The Custom House | Rutland St., Limerick, Ireland
Phone:+353 (0) 61 312 833
Email:info@huntmuseum.com
2. Limerick City Gallery of Art
Limerick City Gallery of Art is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Ireland. The gallery also holds regular temporary exhibitions of contemporary works and home to an important collection of Irish 18th – 21st century art in all media.
It is also one of the primary venues for EVA International, the Irish biennial of contemporary art.
Operation Hours
Monday-Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10:00-17:30
Thursday 10:00-20:00
Sunday 12:00-17:30
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: Carnegie Building, Pery Square, Limerick, Ireland
Phone:+353 61 310633
Email: artgallery@limerick.ie
3. Limerick City Museum
The Limerick Museum is another city museum in Limerick and was founded in 1907 on Pery Square. It has moved to several locations since then and is currently located in the old Franciscans Friary on Henry Street.
The museum has a collection of 60,000 objects gathered through donations, purchase and long-term loan. Among the more unusual items include Ireton’s Cat, a mummified cat found on Nicholas Street in the 1890’s; a fragment of the largest meteorite that ever falls in Ireland in 1813 and two World War II gas-masks, that fortunately never had to be used.
Operation Hours
Weekdays 10am-5pm (closed for lunch 1pm-2pm)
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: The Old Franciscan Friary, Henry Street, Limerick
Phone: +353 61 557740
Email:museum@limerick.ie
4. Frank McCourt Museum
The Frank McCourt Museum, in Limerick City, is a museum dedicated to the Pulitzer winner writer, Frank McCourt. It houses the memorabilia from the life and time of Frank McCourt, as depicted in Angela’s Ashes. The first of his autobiographic memoirs and one that was rewarded with the Pulitzer Prize.
Operation Hours
Monday -Friday- 11 am to 4.30 pm
Saturday – 2 pm –4 pm
Admission Fee
€4 (Student/ senior citizen: €3)
Contact Information
Address: Hartstonge Street, Limerick
Phone:+353 (61)319710
Email: frankmccmuseum@gmail.com
5.Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum
Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum is the world’s only flying boat museum and the home of Irish coffee. It holds several aviation artifacts from the ’30s and ’40s.
Operation Hours
daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee
Adults: €12.00
Seniors/Students: €10.00
Children under 14: €6.00
Children under 5: FREE
Family Ticket: €30.00 (2 adults and up to 4 children)
Contact Information
Address: Ballynacragga North, County Limerick, Ireland
Phone: 00353 69 65416
Email:info@flyingboatmuseum.com
6. Old Irish Ways
Old Irish Ways is a folk heritage museum located near the east Limerick town of Bruff. The museum was started back in 2008, with an idea of preserving the past for future generations.
The exhibits in Old Irish Ways recapture what life was like over 100 years ago, giving people a sense of what past generations grew up with.
Operation Hours
11 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee
€5 for adults with free entry for children
Contact Information
Address: Caherguillamore, Bruff, Ireland
Phone:+353 86 154 1078
Be amazed by the Castles in Limerick
7. King John’s Castle
King John’s Castle is a 13th-century castle located on King’s Island in Limerick and next to the River Shannon. The castle overlooks the river and the panoramic view of Limerick City.
The stunning new exhibition brings to life over 800 years of King John’s Castle and Limerick City’s dramatic history all through Touch-screen technology which will connect visitors to tales of siege and warfare.
And if you are staying in neighboring cities, it is one of the best day trips that you can do from Dublin, Cork or Galway.
Operation Hours
09.30am -5pm
Admission Fee
€10 for adult, €5 for children and €22 for family (2 adults + 2 children)
Contact Information
Address: Nicholas St, Limerick, Ireland
Phone:353 (0) 61 -711222
Email:reservations@shannonheritage.com
Check this tour that includes a visit to King John’s Castle.
8. Adare Desmond Castle
The Desmond Castle is located on the edge of the village of Adare, just off the N21 on the main Limerick to Kerry road. The castle was erected with an ancient ring-fort around the early part of the 13th century. It became a strategic fortress during the following turbulent years.
It was the property of the Earls of Kildare for nearly 300 years until the rebellion in 1536, when it was forfeited and granted to the Earls of Desmond who gave the castle its present name.
Operation Hours
daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Admission Fee
€5 per adult and €3.5 per child
Contact Information
Address: Limerick Road, Adare, Co. Limerick
Phone:+353 (0) 61 396666
Email:reception@adareheritagecentre.ie
9. Bishop’s Palace
The Bishops’ Palace is adjacent to King John’s Castle, it is the restored home of former Protestant Bishops of Limerick. The Palace has a classical facade and is related to the English Palladian style.
The house is currently occupied by Limerick Civic Trust and visitors are welcome.
Operation Hours
Monday to Friday 9 am -4 pm
Admission Fee
Donations are accepted
Contact Information
Address: Church Street Kings Island, Limerick
Visiting the churches is one of the best things to do in Limerick
10. St Mary’s Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral is an 850-year old cathedral and the oldest building in Limerick. This cathedral was originally a royal palace for the Kings of Thomond but it was given to the church in 1168. This had been the center the government for early Medieval Vikings.
Operation Hours
9 am to 4 pm
Admission Fee
€5
Contact Information
Address: Bridge Street, Limerick, Ireland V94 E068
Phone:(061) 310 293
Email: info@SaintMarysCathedral.ie
11. St John’s Cathedral
St John’s Cathedral is another old historical church in Limerick. It was built in 1861 and it has the tallest spire in Ireland. The bell tower is so tall that you can see it from just about every building in Limerick defining its skyline.
Operation Hours
daily between 10 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee
None
Contact Information
Address: St John’s Cathedral, Cathedral Place, Limerick
Learn from the historical sites in Limerick
12. Lough Gur Visitor Centre
Lough Gur Heritage Centre is a community-run tourist and one of the must-see attractions in Limerick. The center tells the story of 6,000 years of habitation in the Lough Gur area. From Neolithic house sites to medieval castles, Lough Gur has monuments from every era.
The exhibition provides an overview of one of Ireland’s most important archaeological sites. It is the only area in the country where you can see visible evidence of every age since Neolithic times and one of the best things to see in Limerick.
Operation Hours
Monday to Friday from- 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday-12.00pm to 6.00pm
Admission Fee
Adult: €5
Child: €3
OAP/Student: €3.30
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Children): €14
Contact Information
Address: Near Bruff, Lough Gur, Limerick
Phone: +353 (0)87 285 2022
Email: info@loughgur.com
13. The Treaty Stone
The Treaty Stone is a rough-hewn limestone block raised on a pedestal standing across the river Shannon from King John’s Castle in Limerick City. It commemorates the Treaty of Limerick signed in 1691 which ended the conflict between the Protestant and the Catholic Church.
Contact Information
Address: Clancys Strand, Limerick
14. The Toll House
The Toll House is crenelated Gothic-style folly next to Thomond Bridge, dating back to the 1840s. Many of Limerick’s numerous bridges were paid for by tolls prior to 1900 and some of these houses still exist to the present day.
Contact Information
Address: 1, Castle Street Castle St, Limerick, V94 WR86
Relax at the gardens in Limerick
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15. Terra Nova Fairy Garden
Terra Nova is one of Ireland’s best known small, privately owned gardens and is a firm favorite with garden visitors of all ages. It is a winner of the “best garden in Ireland” award due to its beautiful gardens setting and landscape and the fairies and gnomes scattered around the garden.
This is one of the best things to do with kids in Limerick as they will enjoy the fairies hunt.
Operation Hours
daily from 11 am to 6 pm
Admission Fee
€6 per adult and €4 per child (under 2 is free of charge)
Contact Information
Address: Raymondstown, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Phone: 063 90744
Email: terranovafairygarden@gmail.com
16. Coolwater Garden
Coolwater is a wonderfully, artistically designed hidden garden in Limerick. Despite the water ponds and the aquatic plants being the main focal points, the garden houses several collections of plants, succulents, and trees from all over the world.
Operation Hours
Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Admission Fee
Adult: €6.00
Child: Under 16 free with an adult.
Senior / Student: €6.00 Family: €12.00
Contact Information
Address: Fedamore, Cloughadoolarty, Co. Limerick
Phone: 087 2584716
Email: info@coolwatergarden.com
Have a picnic in the parks
17. Curraghchase Forest Park
Curraghchase is a 774-acre forest park located in County Limerick. It is 20 km from the city of Limerick, between the towns of Adare and Askeaton. Curraghchase Forest Park is the woodland estate and lakes around the shell of the 18th century Curraghchase House. It is now open as a state forest and park.
There are 313 hectares of mixed woodland and 8km of multi-purpose way-marked trails. There are a number of looped waymarked trails in the park to suit all visitors.
Operation Hours
daily from 9 am to 9 pm
Admission Fee
€5 charge per car
Contact Information
Address: Kilcornan, Toreen, Co. Limerick
Phone: +353 61 337 322
18. People’s Park
The People’s Park, in Pery Square, is the principal park in Limerick City. It was formally opened in 1877, in memory of Richard Russell, a prominent local businessman.
The Park boasts a number of interesting items including a memorial upon a giant pillar to Thomas Spring Rice, a 19th-century Bandstand, an ornate drinking fountain, playground, and gazebos.
Operation Hours
8 am to dusk, and 8 am to 9 pm from the 3rd week in April to the 4th week in August
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: People’s Park, Pery’s Square, Limerick City
Explore the charming villages in Limerick
19. Adare
Adare is a small village in County Limerick. Renowned as one of Ireland’s prettiest towns, Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government.
An architectural wealth of scenic beauty, Adare’s main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins, and a picturesque village park. It is also one of the best day trips from Limerick City.
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: Adare, Limerick
20. Newtown Pery
Newtown Pery is an area of central Limerick and forms the main city center (or CBD) of the city. The district is known for its Georgian architectural heritage and is the core area of Limerick’s Georgian Quarter.
This Georgian Quarter gives Limerick it’s a unique historic character, which sets it apart from other towns and cities in Ireland.
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: Newtown Pery, Limerick
Other things to do in Limerick
21. Thomond Park Stadium
Thomond Park is a stadium in Limerick. It is the home ground of Munster Rugby, one of the most successful and best supported rugby clubs in the world. Follow in the footsteps of your Munster heroes by taking a look behind the scenes at the historic Thomond Park Stadium.
The full stadium tour consists of a museum visit and film, plus visits to the pitching side, the Munster dugout, the home and away dressing rooms and the post-match interview area.
Operation Hours
Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm
Admission Fee
Adult €10
children €8
Family package(2+2) €30
Contact Information
Address: Thomond Park Cratloe Road | Cratloe Road, Limerick V94
Phone: 061-421100
Email: info@thomondpark.ie
22. Ballyhoura mountain bike trails
Ballyhoura is located south-east of Limerick. This mountain is famous for bike trails which is the largest in Ireland. It is 98-km of trails which includes forest road climbs, tight twisty singletrack with loads of ups and downs, board walk, tight turns, and technical rocky bits.
Admission Fee:
Free
Contact Information
Address: Ardpatrick, Co. Limerick
23. The Milk Market
The Milk Market is one of the oldest food markets in Ireland. Despite its name, it is selling a wide variety of foods which are produced locally.
You can sample the culinary delights of Ireland with Irish cheeses, fish, seaweeds, sausages, jams, chutneys, bread, and fresh-pressed apple juice. If you want something different to do, this is one of the fun things to do in Limerick.
Operation Hours
Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday 8am-3pm
Sunday 11am -3pm
Admission Fee
Free
Contact Information
Address: The Milk Market, Limerick, Ireland
Phone: 061 214782
Email: info@milkmarketlimerick.ie
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