County Limerick is in the Republic of Ireland with Limerick as
the county seat, where the Shannon river widens before running into the
Atlantic. The region is an agricultural plain lying south of the Shannon
estuary. The Golden Vale in the eastern part of the county and the Shannon bank
are especially fertile.
Limerick is a medieval city, standing where the River Shannon becomes tidal.
As an historic place it has many interesting features as well as being an
important port and industrial centre.
The name Limerick derives from the Irish ' Luimneach'. County Limerick is
home to several ancient sites and monuments including King John's Castle in the
City of Limerick and the round towers at Ardpatrick and Dysert. Lough Gur is one
of the most important archaeological sites in Ireland with an excellent
interpretative centre revealing Neolithic life of some 5,000 years ago. After
the Anglo-Norman invasion and the organization of Limerick as a shire in1200,
the district was controlled for many centuries by the Earls of Desmond.
Many 12th century churches can be found throughout Limerick and The Hunt
Museum houses a fine collection of Irish and European religious art. The Hunt
Museum housed in the Old Customs House is one of the finest collections of
antiquities in Europe. The Augustinian Friary has a true medieval feel, the
13th-century Trinitarian Abbey is the only home of the order in Ireland, both
are still in use, the first by the Church of Ireland, the latter by the Catholic
Church.
Visitors to County Limerick an enjoy some of Ireland's most scenic
countryside and the charming villages of Adare and Croom. Golf, greyhound
racing, fishing and water sports on the River Shannon is readily available.
Limerick has a strong sporting history with a great love of the games of rugby,
hurling, Gaelic football, soccer and the sport of horse racing.