Limerick

Limerick city is the capital of Ireland's Shannon Region and the 3rd largest city in the Republic. Its colourful and fascinating history is evident everywhere and although the city has undergone a recent rejuvenation, its history has been proudly maintained. Buildings ancient and historical, middle-aged and stately, modern and exciting now mingle with each other on either side of the Shannon river. Although small enough to offer a sense of intimacy, Limerick, with its university, museums, citadel and cathedral is undoubtedly a metropolis.

All traces of the Viking had disappeared until archaeologists revealed the foundations of their homesteads and collected some of their domestic goods. More tangible remains of past inhabitants go back 800 years to the building of the King John's Castle, whose towers still gaze out over a ford on the river, and which remains the dominant feature of King's Island. Explore 800 years of history brought to life in the imaginative historical exhibition, excavated pre-Norman houses, fortifications, siege mines, and the battlement walks.

The Hunt Museum was established to house an internationally important collection of approximately 2,000 works of art and antiquities formed by John and Gertrude Hunt during their lifetimes. As antique dealers and advisors to collectors they built a thriving business and also began to acquire pieces that reflected their own interests and curiosity rather than for commercial purposes. Works include the art of Picasso, Renoir and Yeats as well as stunning works from medieval times and tools and weapons from the Celtic period.

Alongside its historical sights, Limerick is also famous for its rugby heritage. The pride that the city takes in the sport is nowhere more evident than in recently developed Thomond Park, the heart of Munster Rugby. There are a variety of tours being offered at Thomond including a twenty minutes guided tour through the museum tour followed by a short video. This tour is approximately 20 minutes long, and costs €7 for an adult and €5 for a child. The second tour available is a Stadium Tour which includes everything that the Museum Tour offers and also a tour of the home and away dressing rooms, and allows the customers to walk out the Thomond Park tunnel onto the pitch. This tour takes approximately 40 minutes, and costs €12 for an adult and €10 for a child. All tours end in the Munster Rugby store.

Of course, a city that contains all this must also provide a generous selection of the best shops, great restaurants, hotels, pubs, theatre and everything else a visitor might wish to enjoy. Hotel wise, the Absolute Hotel in Limerick, is a luxury 4 star Spa Hotel in the heart of Limerick City Centre. This design-led hotel has an individual style full of vivid and rich fabrics, interesting artwork and handmade furniture.

This is just what the city offers. Located twenty miles outside the city in Limerick county, is the picturesque village of Adare, home to Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort. Adare Manor is an 18th century Manor perched along the River Maigue which has been transformed from a private home into one of the world's premier luxury resorts. Adare Manor is an architectural masterpiece of towers, turrets, and stonework ornamentation surrounded by breathtaking gardens, majestic trees and fascinating ruins dating back over eight hundred years. You have the option of staying in one of the Manor's 62 luxurious bedrooms, one of the 46 luxury villas or in one of the charming two or four bedroom Townhouses, you are certain to spend your stay enjoying every possible comfort.

Price Information:

Adare Manor
www.adaremanor.com
061 396566
Mythical Manor Nights
Rooms from €95 per person sharing including breakfast.

Two Night Townhouse Package
Two nights B&B in two-bedroom townhouse with one table d'hote dinner,
including one activity per person, either One Round of Golf, One Hour Spa Treatment or One Hour Fishing.
€315.00 per person sharing, based on four people sharing.

Absolute Hotel & Spa
www.absolutehotel.com
061 463600
Weekend Deal
2 nights B&B with 3 course meal & bottle of champagne on the evening of your choice.
Price: €120 per person sharing.

Rugby Deal
Room Rates from €99 per room per night.

Thomond Park
www.thomondpark.ie
Museum Tour
20 minute guided tour through the museum followed by a short video
Adult: €7
Child: €5
Family Package €20 (2 adults & 2 kids)
Stadium Tour
40 minute guided tour through museum, home and away dressing rooms, walk out of tunnel onto the pitch.
Adult: €12
Child: €10
Family package €30 (2 adults and 2 kids)
Groups of over 10 people receive a 10% discount.

King John's Castle
Rates:
Adult: €8.50
Child: €4.95
Student / OAP: €6.25
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children):€19.45;
Family (2 Adults and 4 children ): €20.45;
Family (2 Adults and 6 children ): €21.50.

Shannon Heritage Annual Family Pass
Shannon Heritage Annual Family Pass represents a saving of up to 50% on normal admission prices (3 family admissions - valid for one year) and is priced at only €50.00. It admits 2 adults and up to 6 children to any of the eight Shannon Heritage Day Visitor Attractions three times over the course of a year. The pass can be used at the same attraction 3 times, 3 different attractions or any combination.
For further information on these passes or to purchase a pass contact 061 360788 or reservations@shannonheritage.com.

The Hunt Museum
www.huntmuseum.com
Admission prices for 2009:
Adult €8.00
Concession €6.25
Child €4.25
Family €18.00
3rd level student € 6.25.

Guided Tour of Georgian Limerick
€10.00 per person for a 75 minute Tour from Michael O' Donnell Walking Tours.
Tel: 087-6353648
Tours start at Limerick Tourist. Information.

Short Breaks
www.ShortBreaksIreland.ie

Discover Ireland
www.discoverireland.ie/Shannonregion