King John's Castle
King John’s Castle is a fortified 13th century Castle on King’s Island
in the heart of medieval Limerick.
The castle overlooking the river Shannon opens a window on the lives and
stories of the people through political upheaval, war and famine.
Archaeological excavations open to the public roll back to pre-Norman
houses which predate the castle by 100 years, as well as siege mines,
garrison and soldiers quarters and sallyport all found under the level
of the present courtyard.
The castle itself features an exhibition spanning the castle’s history.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Bunratty Castle lies in the centre of Bunratty village by the N19 road between Limerick
and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport.
Bunratty Castle is now a very popular tourist attraction, due in a large part to the
proximity of the airport. The interior has been furnished with tapestries and artifacts
from various eras in the castle's history. Some of the sights include the 'great hall',
dungeons and four towers with spiral stairwells. Mediaeval-style banquets are held twice
every evening in the great hall.
Alongside the castle is an extensive folk park, particularly popular with families,
tourists and schools. This features reconstructions of historical cottages and buildings,
giving the general feel of a 19th century with a period style village main street. Old
tools, furniture and artifacts are displayed, with the village kept alive by some actual
shops, an old home bakery and peat fires in cottages.
Craggaunowen
Cragganowen is an archaeological open air museum that shows what an early medieval or
medieval crannog (5.-12th Century AD) might have looked like.
It is located 10 km east of Quin, County Clare, adjacent to 16th century Cragganowen
Castle, a fortified towerhouse that now contains a museum.
The Brendan Boat, the boat used to re-enact the voyage of Saint Brendan the navigator, is
also on display.
Curraghchase Forest Park
Curragh Chase is located just 33km southwest of Limerick City on the N69 route
towards Foynes.
Curragh Chase incorporates forest walks, nature trails, gardens and the ruins
of Curragh Chase House, the 18th century home of poet Aubrey deVere.
There are a number of trails in the park: a trail of approximately 3km takes
you around the lake and gives you the opportunity of visiting the deVere
monument overlooking the lake. There is also a garden walk incorporating
some specimen trees and a children's playground along the way.
The Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum is located in Limerick city. It holds a personal collection donated by
the Hunt family and can be visited in the old custom house, an historic 18th century
building by the River Shannon.
The Hunt Museum holds about 2000 different artifacts, both from Ireland and abroad.
The oldest pieces are from stone-age Ireland and ancient Egypt. The collection includes
the Antrim Cross (a 9th century bronze and enamel cross), a small sketch by Picasso
and a bronze horse from a design by Leonardo da Vinci for a large monument.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are located at the south-western edge of The Burren area near Doolin,
which is located in County Clare, Ireland.
The cliffs rise 120 m, 400 ft, above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head and extend for a
distance of eight kilometers and to a height of 214 m, 702 ft.
O’Brien’s Tower is a round stone tower at the rough midpoint of the cliffs. It was built
by Sir Cornellius O’Brien in 1835 as an observation tower for the hundreds of tourists
that frequented the cliffs even at that date. From atop that watchtower, one can view the
Aran Islands and Galway Bay, across which lie the Maumturk Mountains in Connemara.
The cliffs are a significant tourist attraction, and there is a visitor center and parking
lot on the site managed by Shannon Heritage, which also operates O’Brien’s Tower.
The Limerick Clarion Hotel
The Clarion hotel is located on Steamboat quay in Limerick.
Tel.: 353 (0)61 444100.
Jury's Inn
Jurys Inn Limerick is located on Lower Mallow Street in Limerick and is set in the
heart of the city, along the banks of the Shannon, and is just a two-minute stroll
from the city.
Tel.: 353 (0)61 207000
Avondoyle Bed & Breakfast
Avondoyle is located in a quite countryside area, just five minutes drive south of Limerick City.
Tel.: 353 (0)61 301590
