Limerick

Day 1: City-centre literary landmarks

Begin in the Georgian heart of Limerick where tree-lined squares and galleries echo scenes from Kate O’Brien’s novels. Today is compact and walkable, with plenty of chances to browse, linger, and listen.

• Morning: Stroll through the People’s Park on Pery Square, then step into the Limerick City Gallery of Art to see the Kate O’Brien portrait and rotating exhibitions (check opening days; many galleries close on Mondays). Grab a coffee nearby and note the city’s cadence—local turns of phrase are half the story.
• Midday: Browse O’Mahony’s Booksellers on O’Connell Street; ask staff for a recommendation by a Limerick writer (Kevin Barry, Donal Ryan, Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, or a new poet). Pick up any available map for the literary plaques trail and break for lunch on the same street.
• Afternoon: Join an Angela’s Ashes walking tour to trace McCourt’s lanes and landmarks; book ahead and dress for changeable weather (April–September offers the most reliable conditions). Prefer to go solo? Seek out South’s, Hartstonge Street and Roden Lane, and read an excerpt in situ.
• Evening: Slip into the White House Bar, a longstanding writers’ haunt; if there’s a reading on, arrive early for a seat. Alternatively, watch the Shannon from the Locke Bar and let the trad session double as a masterclass in rhythm and storytelling.

Day 2: University of Limerick and living literature

Follow the river east to the university, where archives and festivals keep the city’s literary life current. Build in travel time (bus or taxi) and a flexible hour for campus wandering.

• Morning: Head to the University of Limerick and cross the Living Bridge before visiting the Glucksman Library’s public exhibition spaces; if you hope to consult the Kate O’Brien papers, arrange access well in advance. Pause for coffee and a notebook session overlooking the river.

By Air

• Shannon Airport (SNN): ~25 km from the city; 25–30 minutes by car/taxi. Frequent buses link the airport to Limerick Bus Station (typically 30–45 minutes).
• Dublin Airport (DUB): ~200 km; 2.5–3 hours by car. Direct coaches run frequently to Limerick city centre (around 2.5–3 hours). Train is via Dublin Heuston (airport transfer to the city, then Heuston–Limerick via Limerick Junction).
• Cork Airport (ORK): ~110 km; about 1.5–1.75 hours by car. Bus via Cork city then onward coach to Limerick (around 2.5–3 hours total).
• Kerry Airport (KIR): ~110 km; about 1.5–1.75 hours by car. Limited public transport options via Killarney/Tralee.

By Train

• Main station: Limerick Colbert (city centre). Operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail).
• Dublin (Heuston): Typically 2–2.5 hours with a change at Limerick Junction; services are frequent throughout the day.
• Cork: Via Limerick Junction; around 1.5–2 hours.
• Galway: Direct services via Ennis/Athenry; roughly 2–2.25 hours.
• Limerick Junction is the key interchange for Dublin, Cork and Waterford routes.

By Bus

• Main stop: Limerick Bus Station (adjacent to Colbert).
• Frequent intercity coaches connect:

Limerick is Ireland’s crowd-light cultural city—rich in stories, river views and nightly buzz, without the queues.

• Culture & character: A UNESCO City of Literature with a living scene—think Kate O’Brien, Michael Hartnett and Frank McCourt—plus intimate readings, spoken-word nights and book launches at O’Mahony’s and the storied White House Bar.
• Walkable heritage: Amble from the Georgian quarter around Pery Square and the leafy People’s Park to the Medieval Quarter’s King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral, tracing the Shannon and Angela’s Ashes spots without elbowing through crowds.
• Local flavour & value: Trad sessions and hearty plates at The Locke Bar by the river, easygoing cafés along O’Connell Street, and good-value pints and tickets that feel geared to locals rather than tour groups.
• Creative pulse: University of Limerick’s riverside campus, the Limerick City Gallery of Art, the People’s Museum and literary plaques (don’t miss the Kate O’Brien bridge) give authentic, low-fuss ways to plug into the city’s modern creative energy.

If you’re drawn to cities where stories shape the streets, Limerick will suit you. Literature fans, history buffs and culture seekers will find festivals, bookshops and spoken-word nights woven into daily life. Its compact centre makes it easy to mix readings, riverside strolls and Georgian squares on a relaxed city break.

• Literature lovers: Trace Angela’s Ashes locations, browse O’Mahony’s for local authors, and time your trip for the Limerick Literary Festival or Éigse Michael Hartnett.
• History lovers: Explore Georgian Pery Square, the People’s Park, and writer plaques and statues, with the River Shannon anchoring the city’s story.
• Culture seekers: Drop into poetry slams, LCGA events and library readings for a welcoming scene that’s fresh, diverse and community-led.
• City‑breakers: Enjoy a walkable centre—easier to navigate than Dublin—with story-rich evenings in pubs like The White House and The Locke Bar.
• Students & creatives: Tap the University of Limerick’s creative writing energy with public talks, festivals and access to archives like the Kate O’Brien papers.
• Value travellers: Make the most of free or low‑cost wins—self‑guided literary trails, libraries, parks and galleries—so you can spend more on books and bites.

Here are the unmissable literary highlights of Limerick, distilled from in-depth local research. Follow these for an authentic sense of the city’s words, places and people.

• Walk the Angela’s Ashes trail through the lanes, Hartstonge Street and the Shannon to trace Frank McCourt’s Limerick.
• Explore O’Mahony’s Booksellers on O’Connell Street for Limerick writers, first editions and lively launches.
• Visit the Frank McCourt Museum at Leamy’s School for an evocative 1930s classroom and social history exhibits.
• Take in the Limerick Literary Festival (Kate O’Brien Weekend) or Éigse Michael Hartnett for top readings and debate.
• Hike the Shannon riverside between the city and the University of Limerick, pausing at the Glucksman Library and public art.

Here are the unmissable literary highlights of Limerick, distilled from in-depth local research. Follow these for an authentic sense of the city’s words, places and people.

• Walk the Angela’s Ashes trail through the lanes, Hartstonge Street and the Shannon to trace Frank McCourt’s Limerick.
• Explore O’Mahony’s Booksellers on O’Connell Street for Limerick writers, first editions and lively launches.
• Visit the Frank McCourt Museum at Leamy’s School for an evocative 1930s classroom and social history exhibits.
• Take in the Limerick Literary Festival (Kate O’Brien Weekend) or Éigse Michael Hartnett for top readings and debate.
• Hike the Shannon riverside between the city and the University of Limerick, pausing at the Glucksman Library and public art.

Limerick’s food scene blends cosy comfort with a lively market-and-pub culture, perfect for grazing between galleries and riverside walks. Expect hearty pork traditions, fresh Shannon seafood, and craft brews poured with local pride.

• Limerick Ham – traditional cured ham with parsley sauce and buttered cabbage. Best enjoyed in homely cafés and Sunday carveries.
• Shannon Seafood Chowder – a creamy bowl brimming with local catch and smoked fish. Ideal in riverfront pubs with a warm, trad-music buzz.
• The Milk Market Breakfast – artisan sausages, black pudding, eggs, and thick-cut soda bread. Grab it at the bustling weekend market under the canopy.
• Treaty City craft beer – small-batch ales and smooth stouts brewed in the city. Savour tasting paddles in lively bars and taprooms.

Limerick’s food scene blends cosy comfort with a lively market-and-pub culture, perfect for grazing between galleries and riverside walks. Expect hearty pork traditions, fresh Shannon seafood, and craft brews poured with local pride.

• Limerick Ham – traditional cured ham with parsley sauce and buttered cabbage. Best enjoyed in homely cafés and Sunday carveries.
• Shannon Seafood Chowder – a creamy bowl brimming with local catch and smoked fish. Ideal in riverfront pubs with a warm, trad-music buzz.
• The Milk Market Breakfast – artisan sausages, black pudding, eggs, and thick-cut soda bread. Grab it at the bustling weekend market under the canopy.
• Treaty City craft beer – small-batch ales and smooth stouts brewed in the city. Savour tasting paddles in lively bars and taprooms.

Choosing where to stay in Limerick is about the neighbourhood. Each area offers a different pace, from medieval streets to leafy campus life. Pick based on what you want nearby, not a specific hotel.

• Georgian Quarter (Newtown Pery) — Elegant terraces around Pery Square and the People’s Park; galleries, cafés and LCGA; suits culture lovers and quiet city breaks, with a short stroll to O’Connell Street.
• Medieval Quarter — Centred on King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral; cobbled lanes, heritage sites and Shannon views; best for history buffs and photographers, quieter after dark.
• City Centre — Buzzy O’Connell Street area with shops, pubs (The White House) and O’Mahony’s bookshop; walk‑everywhere convenience; ideal for first‑timers and nightlife, but expect weekend noise.
• University of Limerick / Castletroy — Leafy campus by the Shannon with riverside walks and the Living Bridge; great for families, runners and event‑goers; 15–20 mins by bus to the centre, peaceful at night.

Choosing where to stay in Limerick is about the neighbourhood. Each area offers a different pace, from medieval streets to leafy campus life. Pick based on what you want nearby, not a specific hotel.

• Georgian Quarter (Newtown Pery) — Elegant terraces around Pery Square and the People’s Park; galleries, cafés and LCGA; suits culture lovers and quiet city breaks, with a short stroll to O’Connell Street.
• Medieval Quarter — Centred on King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral; cobbled lanes, heritage sites and Shannon views; best for history buffs and photographers, quieter after dark.
• City Centre — Buzzy O’Connell Street area with shops, pubs (The White House) and O’Mahony’s bookshop; walk‑everywhere convenience; ideal for first‑timers and nightlife, but expect weekend noise.
• University of Limerick / Castletroy — Leafy campus by the Shannon with riverside walks and the Living Bridge; great for families, runners and event‑goers; 15–20 mins by bus to the centre, peaceful at night.

Travel to and around Limerick is straightforward, with good air, rail and bus links and a compact centre that’s easy to navigate on foot. A few practical details on costs, transport, language and timing will help you plan with confidence.

• Affordability: Generally better value than Dublin; budget about €12–20 for a casual lunch, €20–35 for a mid‑range dinner, €5.50–€7 for a pint, and from roughly €90–140 per night for B&Bs/3‑star hotels (with hostels and advance deals often cheaper).
• Transport: The city centre is walkable; Colbert Station connects by train to Dublin, Galway and Cork, local buses cover suburbs, Shannon Airport is 25–30 minutes away by bus/taxi, and day trips are easy by car or coach (Adare, Bunratty, Cliffs of Moher), with the Shannon Ferry useful for crossing to Kerry.
• Language: English is the everyday language and universally understood, with Irish (Gaeilge) on signage and occasionally spoken.
• Safety & comfort: A generally safe, friendly city for families and solo travellers—use normal urban common sense (mind valuables, avoid poorly lit areas late at night), book ahead for rugby match or festival weekends, and pack layers for frequent showers.
• Crowds: June–August and major event weekends are busiest and pricier; April–May and September are pleasantly busy with shorter queues, while November–February is quietest with the best hotel rates.

Travel to and around Limerick is straightforward, with good air, rail and bus links and a compact centre that’s easy to navigate on foot. A few practical details on costs, transport, language and timing will help you plan with confidence.

• Affordability: Generally better value than Dublin; budget about €12–20 for a casual lunch, €20–35 for a mid‑range dinner, €5.50–€7 for a pint, and from roughly €90–140 per night for B&Bs/3‑star hotels (with hostels and advance deals often cheaper).
• Transport: The city centre is walkable; Colbert Station connects by train to Dublin, Galway and Cork, local buses cover suburbs, Shannon Airport is 25–30 minutes away by bus/taxi, and day trips are easy by car or coach (Adare, Bunratty, Cliffs of Moher), with the Shannon Ferry useful for crossing to Kerry.
• Language: English is the everyday language and universally understood, with Irish (Gaeilge) on signage and occasionally spoken.
• Safety & comfort: A generally safe, friendly city for families and solo travellers—use normal urban common sense (mind valuables, avoid poorly lit areas late at night), book ahead for rugby match or festival weekends, and pack layers for frequent showers.
• Crowds: June–August and major event weekends are busiest and pricier; April–May and September are pleasantly busy with shorter queues, while November–February is quietest with the best hotel rates.

In Limerick, weather is mild but changeable year‑round; the warmest, driest stretch is June–August, while spring brings key literary festivals and manageable crowds. Winter is quieter and cosy, with some attractions operating reduced hours.

• Spring (Feb–Apr): Cool and showery; moderate crowds; vibrant literary vibe with the Limerick Literary Festival (Feb/March) and Éigse Michael Hartnett (April).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Warmest and brightest days; busiest period; buzzy riverside, peak walking tours, and University events/readings.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Coldest and wettest; minimal crowds and good value; snug pub culture and indoor readings, but some museums/tours run limited schedules.

In Limerick, weather is mild but changeable year‑round; the warmest, driest stretch is June–August, while spring brings key literary festivals and manageable crowds. Winter is quieter and cosy, with some attractions operating reduced hours.

• Spring (Feb–Apr): Cool and showery; moderate crowds; vibrant literary vibe with the Limerick Literary Festival (Feb/March) and Éigse Michael Hartnett (April).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Warmest and brightest days; busiest period; buzzy riverside, peak walking tours, and University events/readings.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): Coldest and wettest; minimal crowds and good value; snug pub culture and indoor readings, but some museums/tours run limited schedules.

Day 3: County connections and reflective moments

Today blends a county excursion with intimate stops that ground literature in real places. Keep plans nimble; if your trip coincides with a festival, you may want to swap timings to catch key events.

• Morning: Day trip to Newcastle West (bus or drive) to visit the Michael Hartnett statue and walk the town that shaped his bilingual poetry. If you’re here in April, Éigse Michael Hartnett (pronounced roughly “egg-sha”) fills streets and venues with verse—book tickets early.
• Midday: Return to Limerick (or lunch in Newcastle West) and make a short Kate O’Brien mini-trail: seek her plaque on Mulgrave Street and wander the Georgian terraces of Pery Square that evoke her characters’ inner lives. Pack a passage from The Land of Spices to read on a bench.
• Afternoon: Choose a reflective stop: visit St Joseph’s Cemetery to pay respects at Angela McCourt’s grave (keep visits brief and discreet), or follow more plaques, including one for Desmond O’Grady. For a broader sweep of the city’s story, the ramparts of King John’s Castle lend historical texture to the writing you’ve encountered.
• Evening: Check O’Mahony’s and venue listings for a final launch or spoken-word night; February/March visitors should secure Limerick Literary Festival tickets well in advance. Round off with a Shannon-side walk—locals love a good chat, and asking for a contemporary Limerick author tip is the surest conversation starter.

• Dublin/Dublin Airport (operators include Dublin Coach and eireagle/Citylink; approx. 2.5–3 hours).
• Cork and Galway (Expressway Route 51 corridor; approx. 1.5–2.5 hours depending on direction).
• Shannon Airport (around 30–45 minutes).
• Regional links to Ennis, Tralee/Killarney and other Munster towns run throughout the day.

By Car

• From Dublin: M7 motorway to Limerick; typically 2–2.5 hours.
• From Cork: N/M20; around 1.5–2 hours.
• From Galway: M18 then N18; about 1.25–1.5 hours.
• From Kerry: N21 via Adare; around 1.5–2 hours to Tralee/Killarney.

If you’re drawn to cities where stories shape the streets, Limerick will suit you. Literature fans, history buffs and culture seekers will find festivals, bookshops and spoken-word nights woven into daily life. Its compact centre makes it easy to mix readings, riverside strolls and Georgian squares on a relaxed city break.

• Literature lovers: Trace Angela’s Ashes locations, browse O’Mahony’s for local authors, and time your trip for the Limerick Literary Festival or Éigse Michael Hartnett.
• History lovers: Explore Georgian Pery Square, the People’s Park, and writer plaques and statues, with the River Shannon anchoring the city’s story.
• Culture seekers: Drop into poetry slams, LCGA events and library readings for a welcoming scene that’s fresh, diverse and community-led.
• City‑breakers: Enjoy a walkable centre—easier to navigate than Dublin—with story-rich evenings in pubs like The White House and The Locke Bar.
• Students & creatives: Tap the University of Limerick’s creative writing energy with public talks, festivals and access to archives like the Kate O’Brien papers.
• Value travellers: Make the most of free or low‑cost wins—self‑guided literary trails, libraries, parks and galleries—so you can spend more on books and bites.