Limerick question
 

Wondering if anyone has had any good travel experiences in Limerick...
thinking of stopping in Limerick on way from Killarney to Bunratty to do Angela's Ashes tour and maybe tour King John's Castle.
thanks!

I was about to answer:
There was a lad from....

But this will bring your post to the top for help, I hope.

Limerick is fine. You might want to add St. Mary's Cathedral and the Hunt Museum to your list. There is good shopping at Arthur's Quay.

I often stay in Limerick City and catch an early BusEireann (07:45) to Shannon. As IrishEyes said there's good shopping at Arthur's Quay (mall). I bought some stuff at Irish Handicrafts there and they gave me a VAT Rebate 'on the spot'

The Angela's Ashes (walking) tour also starts at the ITB across from the mall.

They have good carvery lunches at Locke's (or Finches?) on George's Quay. At Arthur's Quay or George's Quay you're very close to the Hunt Museum.

Don't forget the 'Treaty Stone!'

All in all, I think there's a lot more to do in Limerick City than Bunratty

Limerick is nice enough. Sunday brunch at Jasmine Palace is an amazing experience, and Arthur's Quay/O'Connell St. has decent shopping. An Angela's Ashes tour might give it that "something extra" I've missed the times I've been there.

I prefer Ennis.

Anything going on in Limerick in January?

I'm thinking about spending a couple of days in Limerick in late January. I can tell that this isn't exactly "high season" - will major attractions be open or not at this time of year?

I'd be fling into Shannon - is Limerick my best bet for a couple days of should I head else where given limited time.

Any links for a good website for info - I've explored a bunch but nothing seems particularly robust....

Thanks!

www.limerick.com might help
I would move on and have a look at www.goireland.ie

We stayed in Limerick our last day and night. We went to the Limerick race course for horseracing. It was actually refreshing to see a real city after some of the cutesy towns/villages that were for tourists. I can't say that I would have stayed there for more than one night, but we were there on a sunday and most of the stores were closed. We did stay at a nice jury's right next to the Shannon. It was real nice compared to the place we stayed previously in Galway (Collegecrest; could not recommend).

Limerick is not a very nice town - I'd give it a swerve

I was planning on spending one day in Limerick. The Hunt museum looked interesting, the castle, the walk obout Angela Ashes. So Lawchick why is it so nasty to avoid? We will be there Jan. 13

In Ireland it's nicknamed "stab city" - as it's apparantly one of the most dangerous cities in Ireland. I think thats overdoing it a bit - but from a touristic point of view - I think you could do better.

Limerick is nicknamed "stab city" because of two crime families that are fighting over their turf in an unremarkable suburb of the city. This is a place (housing estate) that tourists would have to research to find out about and go out of their way to locate. I do not think that any tourists are going to get involved in local crime. So Limerick is a relatively safe place for tourists who are minding their own business.

Don't let yourself be scared away by news headlines. That's why people avoid Northern Ireland -- because they only hear bad things on the news. Yet Northern Ireland is one of the safest and nicest places I have been. Remember, 99% of the news is "bad news". That is what sells commercial TV, radio and newspapers. Use some common sense and don't believe everything you hear.

Limerick is the Republic of Ireland's third largest city. It is a busy shipping port and industrial center that has many unremarkable and dingy areas (like many cities). The old "STAB CITY" moniker has been around for ages and is hardly still relevent. That being said, it IS still a city (albeit, a small one), with all that that implies. There is plenty to see and do in Limerick (the Castle, the Treaty Stone, the Hunt Museum and the Angela's Ashes tour are just a few). Dolan's is a big music venue, and you should check out Ed Donnelly's Limerick web page:
http//:216.36.217.101/limerick.htm

Like any city, I wouldn't recommend going out to wander about at night into off the beaten path areas, but it is probably safer than most USA cities. Limerick's greatest drawback is it's location -- surrounded, as it is, by some of Ireland's greatest countryside -- the Shannon River, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Tipperary (Killaloe/Ballina, Cashel), Galway and the Connemeara, and the incomperable South West -- Cork and Kerry. ANY city would pale, in comparison...
Bob

Bob, you are so right and said it so well. I wouldn't mind spending a day in Limerick.

Thanks all. I'm not terribly worried about crime - heck, I frequent major cities all over the world and they all have their neighborhoods to avoid. I'll try to avoid mugging any of the locals. :-)

I'd be there two full days (arrive into Shannon early Friday morning and depart late Sunday morning) so I'll want a few things to see and do. I would like a site or two and then some waundering/shopping/looking about.

My biggest concern is what sites are open in late January as I'm having trouble finding posted hours for some of the sites.

Do you think Limerick is the best bet for just a couple days near Shannon Airport or do you have alterate cities that I should consider?

Thanks!

cjbryant writes (re: Shannon layover): "I'd be there two full days (arrive into Shannon early Friday morning and depart late Sunday morning) so I'll want a few things to see and do. ... Do you think Limerick is the best bet for just a couple days near Shannon Airport or do you have alterate cities that I should consider?"

For that short a visit, I recommend Ennis over Limerick: We did something like that about 5-years ago - got in touch with Tony Woods (Taxi Company operator) and his father Sheamus took us on a tour we would never forget: Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin (for lunch at Gus O'Connor's) the Burren, etc. He charged us 60 IEP (about $75 USD) for three of us with an 11 AM Pickup at the Temple Gate Hotel. We got back to the TempleGate Hotel (they have a website) around 5:00 PM. Much of our shopping was at the ITB Shop in Lahinch where the Manager had 30% off Across the Board (i.e., on everything). I did some shopping: bought two Irish Plaid pleated skirts for my grand daughters at a shop on Abbey Street. We had dinner at Brogans around 6:30 PM & made it down Abbey Street to Cruise's Pub & Restaurant for Trad Irish Music that begins at 10:00 PM (earlier if there's a 'session' going on). Those people love their music.

There's a 5:30 PM Mass Saturdays at the Ennis Cathedral (SS. Peter & Paul, just like in Phila.).

Last February, we got BusEireann at 8:30 AM from Ennis Bus Station to Shannon airport. It was 5 Euro p/p

Well, I have to say one of my favorite small towns is Ennis. I stay right in the center at Temple Gate or Old Ground is very nice. Walk down to the river and people watch or just walk around the busy town and browse. Ennis is close to Shannon. I will say I've never tried Limerick, so it might be just as nice. It just so much larger and I've fallen for Ennis. Good luck

Thanks to all of you for your replies. I am not often on the Europe forum - I frequent Asia more than any other.

This will be my second brief European adventure - early last year I went to London (also briefly) for the first time.

It's nice to see such a lively forum with lots of posting and friendly helpful advice.