Holiday cottages, airbnb and apartments in Limerick

Visit Limerick: home to the famous limerick poem!

Choosing accommodation in Ireland can be hard if you don't know where to start, but we suggest you look no further than the city of Limerick. Perhaps more famous for it's name than for the city itself, limerick has blessed the history of literature by being the birthplace of Edward Lear, the inventor of the limerick who was born in – you guessed it – Limerick. The term dates back to the late 1800s, but the city is over 1000 years older. Built charmingly across the River Shannon, the streets are lined with medieval and Georgian architecture with a modern splash that came as a result of the Celtic Tiger era. The Irish City of Culture in 2014, Limerick is one of those cities you have to visit to believe in its magic – and magic it has, from the renovated castle to the fabulous art gallery, and traditional pubs serving more Guinness than you could drink in a lifetime.

Best time to visit Limerick

Limerick, like much of Ireland, is subject to some very unpredictable weather patterns. Largely, this is because it's tucked away right on the south of Ireland's west coast, with no protection from the bracing wind that sweeps over the Atlantic Ocean. Winter is by far the wettest season, but the chances of rain are always at least 50% no matter when you visit. With this is mind, the months of June through to August are the warmest, and it's even possible to swim in the sea on calm days – which is great if you're looking for a beach break. If you'd rather go for long walks through the countryside, then May is the best bet as this is when there is the most sunshine. In terms of festivals and events, the Limerick Ballad Festival takes place during August, while the Richard Harris International Film Festival is in October, the perfect time of year to go home and curl up in front of the fire at your cosy bed and breakfast in Limerick.

How to get to Limerick

Limerick is one of those easy countries that can be reached by plane, train, bus, or car – it's up to you to pick your favourite. If you'd rather fly in, then the city is close to both Shannon Airport and Dublin Airport. Shannon Airport is closest, just 24 kilometres from Limerick itself, and it has flight connections with over 5 different destinations – stretching as far as mainland Europe, the UK, and the USA. These include Heathrow, JFK New York, Boston, Spain, France, Germany, and Lithuania. Shannon is typically the preferred option for those travellers coming from the USA as it's the first airport in the world – aside from the American continents – to offer the Full US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities. From Shannon Airport, travellers can hop in a taxi and get to Limerick city centre for as little as 35 euro. There are also buses that run incredibly frequently between the two destinations. Dublin airport is a little further away from Limerick just over 120 miles away but as it is Ireland's main airport there are many benefits to flying in here, notably that it services more destinations. There are new roads connecting Limerick to Dublin – the M7 and M50 – while the train from Dublin Hueston Rail Station direct to Limerick Colbert Station takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Many visitors choose to explore Limerick as part of a road trip across Ireland, so it is worth considering a holiday apartment in Dublin where you can explore the capital before travelling on to beautiful Limerick. Alternatively, a holiday cottage in Galway will place you only just over an hour away from Limerick and gives you chance to explore the striking west coast of Ireland along the way. If these options don't appeal, then Limerick is known for its fantastic rail links, with services to Dublin, Cork, and Galway all running frequently. There's also bus routes to Limerick from anywhere in the country thanks to Bus Eireann. Travellers could choose to drive the entire way; which would involve the use of a ferry for those coming from the UK mainland. Ireland itself is privy to an excellent road network, and this is the same for Limerick, so you'll never be stuck on a country road with no access forward and a dirt track behind you, if that puts your mind at ease. Plus, with Dublin just a two hour drive away, it's worth bringing a car along to take a mini road trip to the capital.

Where to Stay in Limerick

Newtown Pery

There are three distinct town in central Limerick, and Newtown Pery is one of the best. It's the main shopping district just to the north of the city centre, which means it's the best place to find a short-term apartment rental to use as a base while heading out to the boutique stores and enjoying a coffee in one of the aesthetic and relaxing cafes. The area itself is fun to explore, as it's one of those rare places in Ireland that's plotted out as grids, and along each corner travellers can spot some of the most striking Georgian architecture in all of Ireland – outside of Dublin.

River Shannon

Limerick City sits majestically on the River Shannon, making it one of the best focal points to stay while you're visiting. The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, and is one of the most important sites in the area, supporting an immense diversity of wildlife. Why not book one of the many lucury holiday rentals in Limerick that line the riverside, such as the Limerick Strand Hotel. Ideally situated on Callaghan Strand in the heart of the city, it's the close to the bustling shops and cafes, while offering beautiful views out across the river.

What to do in Limerick

King John's Castle

One of the most famous things to come out of Limerick – except maybe the poem – King John's Castle sits on the edge of the rover Shannon, and was recently awarded a multi-million Euro update in order to restore it to its former glory. As a result, there's now a brand new visitor's centre, which helps paint the picture of the Norman castle and it's incredible history. First commissioned by King John of England as far back as 1210, the site of the castle is also home to a number of excavated houses that date back over 1000 years, as well as siege mines and a battlement walk. Found in Newtown Perry in Limerick, the Hunt Museum was founded in an old Georgian Custom House, and its exhibits include a fantastic number of historical artefacts and art originally donated by avid collector and antiquarian John Hunt – who the museum is named after. There are nearly 3000 objects tucked away in the museum, ranging from an Ancient Egyptian amulet, to Picasso paintings, and even a bronze horse attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It's unclear whether it is an original da Vinci, but the mystery alone makes it worth seeing.

Milk Market

One of the first ever farmer's markets in Ireland, Milk Market in Limerick is an absolute dream for anyone who's interested in food, where it comes from, and what they're putting into their bodies. Anyone who loves history as well, will be a big fan of Milk Market. Essentially a giant farmer's market, it was first established a long, long time ago, but was almost completely refurbished during the latter part of the 20th century, and now sits under a large canopy that's proved to be the perfect stage for live music. Saturday is market day, where people from all over visit to find artisan cheese, prime cuts of meat, fresh fish, chutneys, homemade preserves, freshly made bread, organic fruit and vegetables, and any number of things you might want in your kitchen.

People's Park

First created during the 19th century, People's Park was designed to a grand Georgian place, Limerick's version of Dublin's Mountjoy Square. Officially, the park was opened in 1877, and it is the main centre of greenery that can be found in the city centre. There is little here save a bandstand, a couple of gazebos, and a drinking fountain, but it's notable for the 19th century king-sized trees that still thrive

Limerick City Museum

The town of Limerick may not have been founded until 800 A.D., but the site it was built on has been there for thousands of years, and has relics dating back across that period – all of which can be seen in their glory in the City Museum. Here, visitors can admire the archaeological finds from the Stone and Iron Ages, as well as the scabbard once owned by Lord Edward FitzGerald – the very same one he had on his person as he tried to resist arrest in 1798. Otherwise, the museum is home to over 60,000 items, ranging from 200-year-old Limerick silver, clothes from a gentleman's suit in 1706, and even blunderbuss guns first used during the 1600s.