Limerick's Student City

Getting Around

Limerick's ideal location boasts some of the best connections across Ireland and beyond to Europe, the USA, and the rest of the world. Shannon International Airport is only 25 minutes away and has routes all over Europe and North America. Dublin Airport is only 2 hours from University of Limerick and has great transport options, some stopping just outside your door. Limerick has a central link to Cork, Galway, and Dublin. Whether that be through the rail links or the extensive bus service to all parts of Ireland. From University of Limerick, it is a short 15-minute journey to the city centre. There are many transportation options including walking, cycling, buses, or taxis. Explore Limerick by reviewing this information about getting around.

History and Heritage

Limerick City is steeped in history and there are many heritage sites set in the city centre. For example, King John’s Castle is a 13th-century castle located on King's Island sitting on the banks of the River Shannon right in the heart of Limerick city. Step inside the walls of Limerick's 800-year-old landmark and discover the stories of ruthless King John, his noble knights, and his rebellious natives.

St. Mary’s Cathedral was founded in 1168 on a site donated by Donal Mor O’Brien King of Munster. The Cathedral has seen many changes as the city expanded around it and remains the oldest historic building in Limerick. The treaty Stone was named after the treaty of Limerick signed in 1691. A pedestal was later erected on Thomond Bridge.

Some more fantastic visitor and heritage sites further afield include 15th century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park restored in the 1960s. Bunratty allows you to experience life in Ireland in the 19th-century, set on 26 acres housing farm animals, a walled garden, coffee shops, gift shops, and medieval banquets. Some other local attractions include Lough Gur, The Medieval Village of Askeaton, and Adare Village. Get more information about Limerick’s history and heritage.

There are many interesting museums to explore in Limerick including The Hunt Museum, Limerick Museum, Thomond Park Museum, or Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum. Discover more information on the history and heritage around Limerick. 

Food and Drink

Whether it is fine dining or a quick cup of coffee you want, Limerick has it all. Limerick has an abundance of restaurants showcasing cuisine from all over the world some include Bella Italia, Asian Street Food Lana, the Spice of India, and the Curragower Bar and Restaurant. Limerick is home to many fabulous Cafes such as Hook and Ladder, The Buttery, Esquires Coffee and Melody and so many more to discover in your free time. You will find much more Food and Drink Ideas here.

Shopping

Limerick has some of the best shopping in the Midwest. From high street fashion stores such as Penney's, Gleeson sports store, Brown Thomas, and Tony Connelly’s to grocery stores such as Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi, and Supervalu. Another short bus journey will take you to the Crescent Shopping centre in Dooradoyle where you will find many more shops and restaurants.

Limerick has everything you need and more and don’t forget your student discount in applicable stores. If it’s a thrift store you are looking for there are some hidden gems such as Vito Vintage, The Edge Clothing, Lucky Lane and Adapt. If you need supplies for college, bookstores such as O’Mahoney’s and Eason’s will have everything you need. The Limerick Milk Market is held every weekend and is teaming with fresh local produce and artisan delicacies.

Activities and Sports

If you are the outdoors type or are just looking for something to do at the weekend, here are just some of the great activities Limerick has to offer. As UL is set on the River Shannon there are some great outdoor activities including the riverbank walk, kayaking, or a stroll across the living bridge. Some other activities in UL include Ireland's Tallest climbing wall and the Sports Arena with an Olympic standard swimming pool.

Just outside of the university we have an amazing array of activities from the Odeon Cinema, RollerJam, Delta Laser & Activity Centre, Castletroy Golf club, Jump Lanes, and Jurassic Park Mini Golf.

Further afield, Limerick has so much variety to choose from such as Limerick Student Race Day, Omniplex cinema, escape rooms, Limerick’s Greenway Cycling trail, Ballyhoura Mountain Biking, Curraghchase Forest, UL’s Adventure Centre, Escape Limerick and so much more. The Limerick Greenway carves a 40km path through the local countryside offering an authentic Irish experience of rural Ireland while cycling, running, or walking.

If you are a lover of the Seaside, Limerick is also only an hour's drive from Lahinch and more of Ireland’s finest beaches where you can try your hand at surfing, paddling boarding, and swimming. Here are some more examples of Fun free activities to try in Limerick.

Arts, Culture and Festivals

If you want to delve into the art and culture in Limerick city there are so many opportunities. We have many festivals such as St. Patrick's Day, Riverfest, Limerick Pride, and Culture Night just to name a few.

Music is a big part of life in Limerick. Many epic venues around the city play host to amazing acts including Gigs at the market and Live at the Castle both ran by Dolans. Limerick is the host to local, national, and international theatre some include our own University Concert Hall in UL. The Lime Tree Theatre and Belltable are great theatres out check out.

If you would like to see more of limerick on foot you could try some of the many walking tours, they have to offer here. Some routes to highlight would be the Three Bridges Walk Limerick’s most popular walking route which has some of the best views of the city and Limerick’s  Street Art Trail which has unexpected bursts of colour around every corner.

If you love art Limerick has extraordinary galleries such as Limerick City Gallery of Art and Ormston House. More venues include The Hunt Museum which regularly hosts exhibitions of national and international repute and the UL Self Portrait collection. For any more information on Festivals, Theatres, Art Galleries or Music Venues try Limerick.ie .

The Treaty City is extremely involved in Sport. Limerick is the home to Munster Rugby one of the most successful and well-supported clubs in the world. Their home ground Thomond Park. There have been many memorable occasions including Munster playing the All Blacks in 2008 and concerts by Pink in 2010. The bonus of additional seating for supporters and a stadium tour.

Limerick is also home to 2021 All Ireland Hurling winners Limerick GAA. Limerick GAA has been a force to reckoned with winning the last three out of four national hurling competitions. University of Limerick Alumni makes up a lot of the team and coaching panel. The LIT Gaelic Grounds is the principal GAA stadium in Limerick and is home to both Limerick hurling and football teams. The stadium has the largest capacity in Mid-West. If you happen to see a sea of green or red sporting jerseys, you know where they are headed.

Limerick has state-of-the-art sporting facilities at University of Limerick. The Olympic standard swimming pool and diving board, Ireland’s highest climbing wall, 3D and 4D pitches are just to name a few. Check out UL’s Sports Arena for more information on these facilities. A little further afield, Delta Sports dome is great for all indoor sports and exercise classes.

As mentioned above, the student race day is held in Limerick Racecourse and proves to be one of the most popular student events in Ireland. Limerick Racecourse is a great day out whether it is a family occasion, a social event, or a charity event. For a closer look at the sporting facilities in Limerick click here.

Nightlife

As a student in Limerick, it is essential to know where the best Nightlife spots are located. There is something from everyone. If you are into cocktails try The Red Hen, The Old Quarter, House, 101 O’Connell Street, or The Black Rabbit. If you are looking for sporting events, try The Locke Bar, Michael Flannery’s, and Brew Crews. Some late-night bars that are very popular with students are Costello’s, Charlie Chaplin’s, and Pharmacia. Popular Nightclubs such as Angel Lane and Molly’s will hold student events throughout the week. Find out more about Limerick’s nightlife.