BUG - Backpackers Guide to budget travel in Ireland

This important city boasts an impressive castle and plenty of attractive 18th century Georgian buildings, however its reputation is of a grimy industrial city and it attracts very few visitors.

Practical Information

Limerick Tourist Information Centre

Arthurs Quay, Limerick

Tel (061) 317 522

Website www.shannonregiontourism.ie

Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm; May-Jun Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Fri 9am-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm

Coming & Going

Limerick is an important transport hub with a busy international airport as well as trains and buses.

AIR

Shannon Airport (website www.shannonairport.com) is in Co Clare, about 20 minutes from Limerick city centre. It has direct flights to North America as well as many European destinations.

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) runs direct bus services between Limerick and Shannon Airport.

BUS

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) has direct bus services to most towns and cities in Ireland including Cork, Dublin, Galway and Waterford.

TRAIN

There are direct trains from Limerick to Ennis and Rosslare Harbour. Change at Limerick Junction for trains to Cork, Dublin and Tralee.

Accommodation

Barringtons Lodge

Georges Quay, Dublin Road, Limerick

Tel (061) 415 222

Jamaica Inn

Sixmilebridge, Co Clare

Tel (061) 369 220

Sights

CITY CENTRE

Hunt Museum

An 18th century customs house houses one of the largest art and antiquity collections in Ireland. The collection includes the Mary Queen of Scots cross, the Leonardo da Vinci horse as well as works by Gauguin, Picasso, Renoir and Yeats.

The Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick

Tel (061) 312 833

Website www.huntmuseum.com

Admission €6.50 (€5.25 students)

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 2pm-5pm

King John's Castle

This impressive Anglo-Norman castle was built between 1200 and 1210. It offers sweeping views of Limerick and the surrounding countryside and there is also an exhibition with historical exhibits and an audio-visual presentation.

Nicholas Street, Kings Island, Limerick

Tel (061) 360 788

Website www.shannonheritage.com/KJC.htm

Admission €7.50

Open Jan-Mar 10.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 3.30pm); Apr-Oct 10am-5.30pm daily (last entry 4.30pm); Nov-Dec 10.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 3.30pm)

St Mary's Cathedral

This 12th century cathedral near St John's Castle is noted for its intricate carvings.

Nicholas Street, Kings Island, Limerick

Tel (061) 416 238

Admission free

Open 9.15am-5pm daily

NEAR LIMERICK

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is in Co Clare between Limerick and Shannon Airport. Bunratty was originally a Viking trading camp. Four castles have been built on this site and the present castle was built around 1425 replacing an earlier Norman castle. The castle was extensively renovated during the 1950s and it is now considered Ireland's most authentically complete furnished castle. The adjoining Folk Park is an open-air museum that features elegant Bunratty House as well as a collection of smaller farmhouses, a pub and church that have been set up to depict village life in 19th century Ireland.

Bunratty, Co Clare (13km from Limerick city centre)

Tel (061) 360 788

Website www.shannonheritage.com

Admission €7.95-10.50

Open Jan-May 9.30am-5.30pm daily (last entry to castle 4pm, last entry to Folk Park 4.45pm); Jun-Aug 9am-6pm daily (last entry to castle 4pm, last entry to Folk Park 4.45pm); Sep-Dec 9.30am-5.30pm daily (last entry to castle 4pm, last entry to Folk Park 4.45pm)