Limerick or "Luimneach" in Irish is in South-West Ireland and is where relands largest river - The Shannon joins the broad Atlantic. Limerick borders Clare, Galway, Tipperary, Kerry and Cork. Some of the many towns in Limerick are Killmallock, Newcastle-West, Foynes, Bruree and Adare. Limerick is steeped in history.
There is evidence of hunter-gatherer peoples in East Limerick from around 3,500 BC. There are tremendous megalithic remains such as tombs and dolmens in the Lough Gur district. At this time West Limerick was densely forested and badly drained.
Christianity arrived in Limerick in the 5th century and monasteries were established at
Ardpatrick, Mungret and Killeedy. From the middle of the 9th century, Vikings began raiding. They sailed up the Shannon Estuary and established a base on an island of the estuary. That place evolved to become Limerick City.
The Norman's invaded in the 12th century. King Johns castle was built in 1210 and is an example of the finest Norman architecture of that period. An interpretative centre is located here. There are more castles in Limerick than any other county in Ireland.
A huge siege took place in 1690 and the city lay entrapped in a war of many nations - England, France, Holland and Ireland. An eventual treaty was signed in 1691 and the "Treaty Stone" marks its remembrance in Thomand, Limerick city.
Limerick is home to many museums and galleries including the City Art Gallery at Perry Square, The National Self-Portrait collection at the University of Limerick, the Limerick City Museum is located in 2 historic stone houses, the Hunt Museum presents a famous collection of art and antiques of the Irish Nation. There are many contrasting styles of architecture in Limerick City including the Crescent and St. John's Cathedral - a gothic style building, built in 1859. Adare Castle, Manor and Village is a tremendously preserved well of fine architecture and history.
