County Limerick

The Shannon shapes the city and the county: King John's Castle on King's Island, the Golden Vale inland and the Ballyhouras for walking and biking in the south.

County Limerick facts

Province: Munster
County town: Limerick
Setting: Atlantic coast
Touring region: Wild Atlantic Way
Best for: cities, history, castles, food, family
Golf: Adare Manor, host of the 2027 Ryder Cup (residents-first access; see the guide). Our golf guide
Places in the planner: 5

The River Shannon shapes everything here, widening into its estuary along the county's northern edge. Limerick City, founded by the Vikings and walled by the Normans, stands where the Shannon turns west, with King John's Castle on King's Island and a Georgian quarter across the river.

Inland, the Golden Vale's rich farmland supports market towns and food producers, while the Ballyhoura Mountains in the south offer mountain-biking and walking trails. Adare, with its thatched cottages and medieval churches, is among Ireland's best-known heritage villages, and Lough Gur preserves one of the country's richest prehistoric landscapes. The estuary adds a wilder edge in the west of the county, with the Foynes flying-boat story and views across to Clare. Limerick pairs naturally with Clare and Kerry on a southwest itinerary, or with Tipperary and the midlands heading east.

Top sights in Limerick

King John's Castle

A 13th-century castle on King's Island in Limerick City, overlooking the Shannon.

Adare

A heritage village of thatched cottages, medieval friaries and a manor estate.

Lough Gur

A prehistoric landscape of stone circles, tombs and a heritage centre beside a lake.

Ballyhoura Mountains

A trail centre with mountain-bike routes and waymarked walks in the south of the county.

The Hunt Museum

A museum in Limerick City holding a major private collection of art and antiquities.

Towns & cities in Limerick

Limerick City

King John's Castle guards King's Island and the Georgian quarter faces it across the river. Limerick stands on the Shannon Estuary in the mid-west of Ireland.

Adare

Thatched cottages line the main street and medieval friaries stand behind them. Adare knows it is photographed and dresses for it, in County Limerick.

Kilmallock

Walled medieval town in the south of the county.

Foynes

Shannon Estuary port village, home to a flying-boat museum.

Best time to visit

Limerick City works year-round. Spring to autumn suits Adare, Lough Gur and the Ballyhoura trails best, and summer brings river festivals to the city.

Getting there

Shannon Airport is just northwest of the county. Limerick City is about two hours from Dublin by motorway and rail, and the Shannon ferry links the estuary to Clare.

Places for your trip

Limerick City: King John's Castle guards King's Island and the Georgian quarter faces it across the river. Limerick stands on the Shannon Estuary in the mid-west of Ireland.
King John's Castle, Limerick: King John's Castle is a 13th-century castle on King's Island in Limerick on the River Shannon.
Adare: Thatched cottages line the main street and medieval friaries stand behind them. Adare knows it is photographed and dresses for it, in County Limerick.
Lough Gur: Prehistoric monuments ring this County Limerick lake, stone circles among them, in one of Ireland's richest archaeological landscapes.
Adare Manor: Tom Fazio's course, host of the 2027 Ryder Cup. Access is residents-first and caddies are compulsory.

What's on

The Ryder Cup 2027

13–19 Sep 2027 · Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

The biggest sporting event in Ireland in 2027: the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. The week's play runs 13–19 September, with the matches themselves on 17–19 September.

Official site

All events in this county