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Why Limerick deserves a weekend
Limerick spent years being the city people drove past on the way to Kerry. Their loss. It has a 13th-century castle on the Shannon, a Georgian quarter as handsome as anything in Dublin, a Saturday food market that’s been trading since the 1850s and, half an hour away, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. Add the best rugby atmosphere in the country and a riverside full of new bars and restaurants, and it’s a city break that genuinely surprises people.
It’s also easy: under two and a half hours from Dublin on the motorway, an hour and a half from Cork, and just 25 minutes from Shannon Airport if you’re coming from further afield.
The city: castle, cathedral and the Shannon
Start at King John’s Castle on King’s Island, a 13th-century fortress on the banks of the Shannon with a visitor centre that brings 800 years of sieges to life (children love it). Across the road, the Treaty Stone marks the treaty that ended the siege of 1691. Nearby, St Mary’s Cathedral, founded in 1168, is the oldest building in the city still in daily use.
Then follow the river south. The Hunt Museum, in the old Custom House, holds an eclectic private collection that ranges from Bronze Age gold to works by Picasso and Renoir, and the Limerick City Gallery of Art beside the People’s Park is free. Fans of Angela’s Ashes can visit the Frank McCourt Museum in the author’s old school.
- The Milk Market: a covered market that’s been trading since 1852, at its best on a Saturday morning for food stalls, coffee and local producers.
- The Georgian Quarter: wide streets of red-brick townhouses around the People’s Park, ideal for a wander.
- Thomond Park: the home of Munster Rugby. Book a stadium tour, or better, a match ticket, and experience the famous silence for place kicks.
- The riverside: walk or cycle the Shannon path out to the University of Limerick and its Living Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland.
Adare: Ireland’s prettiest village?
Twenty-five minutes south of the city, Adare is a picture-postcard village of thatched cottages, medieval friaries and a castle on the River Maigue. Wander the main street, have lunch in one of the cottage restaurants and join a tour of Desmond Castle from the heritage centre in the warmer months.
Adare Manor, the grand Gothic Revival house and golf resort on the edge of the village, will host the Ryder Cup in 2027, so expect the village to be busy and rooms scarce around the tournament in September. Book early if you’re visiting then.
Lough Gur and Foynes
Lough Gur, about 25 minutes from the city, is one of the most important archaeological landscapes in Ireland, with Stone Age house sites, megalithic tombs and the Grange Stone Circle, the largest stone circle in the country. The lakeshore walks are lovely and rarely busy.
West along the Shannon estuary, the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum tells the story of the transatlantic flying boats of the 1930s and 40s. It’s also where Irish coffee was invented, in 1943, to warm up cold passengers, and you can try one in the museum’s café. It would be rude not to.
When it rains
Limerick has plenty for a wet day: the castle’s indoor exhibition, the Hunt Museum, the City Gallery, the cathedral and the covered Milk Market. If there’s a Munster match on, book a pub with a big screen early and settle in.
Where to eat and drink
The city’s food scene has grown up fast, with good restaurants in the Georgian Quarter and along the river, and the Milk Market is the place for breakfast or a long Saturday lunch. Limerick’s pubs are friendly and lively, especially on a match day, when the whole city wears red.
Which area to stay in
Stay in the city centre, near the river or in the Georgian Quarter, to walk everywhere, including the station. For something quieter and more romantic, base yourself in Adare and drive into the city for a day. On Munster home match weekends, city hotels fill up, so book ahead.
A two-night plan
Friday: arrive, walk the riverside and have dinner in the city.
Saturday: the Milk Market in the morning, King John’s Castle and the cathedral, the Hunt Museum in the afternoon and a match or a pub at night.
Sunday: Adare for lunch and a wander, then Lough Gur or Foynes on the way home.
Limerick is a strong choice for the October bank holiday or a winter weekend, when the indoor sights come into their own. For the coast next door, try Loop Head and Kilkee or the Burren.
Frequently asked questions
Is Limerick worth visiting for a weekend?
Yes. Two nights covers the castle, the Milk Market, the museums and a day trip to Adare, and the city is compact and easy to walk.
How far is Adare from Limerick city?
About 25 minutes by car. Buses also run between the city and the village.
When is the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor?
The 2027 Ryder Cup takes place at Adare Manor in September 2027. Expect very high demand for rooms in the area around those dates.
Can I get to Limerick without a car?
Yes. Trains run from Dublin Heuston to Limerick Colbert in about two to two and a half hours, and the city centre is walkable.
Where we’d stay
Smart five-star hotel in the city centre, a short walk from the river.
On the Shannon with river views, close to the castle and the Hunt Museum.
A traditional coaching inn on the main street of Adare, dating from 1792.
We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Getting there
Straight down the M7 from Dublin, or a direct train into the city centre.
- By car: about two hours 15 minutes from Dublin on the M7, or an hour and a half from Cork.
- By train: Dublin Heuston to Limerick Colbert, about two to two and a half hours, with some services changing at Limerick Junction.
- By air: Shannon Airport is about 25 minutes from the city, with buses into the centre.
Timetables change, especially on bank holidays, so check with the operator before you travel.
