Limerick: Greenway, History and Good Food

Limerick brings together the traffic-free Limerick Greenway, historic sites, museums and varied landscapes. The Limerick Greenway is 40 kilometres long and designed for walking and cycling. Other highlights include a hilly park with woodland and lakes, archaeological monuments and regional food. You can tailor your trip to what you most want to discover: outdoor activities, history, art or local cuisine.

Along the Greenway and through the countryside

The Limerick Greenway connects the landscapes of West Limerick with Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale. Several access points offer different ways to include the route in your travel plans. Notable structures along the way include the 115-metre-long Barnagh Tunnel and Ferguson’s Viaduct, a cast-iron viaduct. So, as well as its 40-kilometre traffic-free route, the Greenway offers specific architectural sights along the way.

If you are looking for a different way to get around, the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails in the south of County Limerick offer 98 kilometres of trails. The Shannon Estuary Way, meanwhile, is a driving route through the changing landscapes of West Limerick. Along with the Greenway, these offer a choice of mountain biking, walking or cycling on a traffic-free route, and driving through the countryside as different ways to explore.

Curraghchase Forest Park adds its own distinctive landscape: it covers more than 300 hectares of rolling parkland, mixed woodland and lakes. If you want to make nature and scenery the focus, you can include this area as another highlight of your stay alongside the routes.

History, archaeology and art

The historic sites range from medieval buildings to archaeological monuments. Desmond Banqueting Hall in Newcastle West is one of the most impressive surviving medieval halls in western Limerick. The Franciscan friary in Askeaton dates from 1389 and is one of Ireland’s best-preserved complete ruins. Adare is home to Desmond Castle; access is available only as part of a guided tour from the Adare Heritage Centre.

Lough Gur is internationally significant for archaeology and the environment. At Lough Gur Lakeshore Park, you can take a guided or self-guided tour of the exhibition. Individually tailored guided tours of the archaeological monuments are also available. This offers different ways to explore the area: through the exhibition or on a guided tour of the monuments.

The Hunt Museum’s collection spans treasures from the Neolithic period to masterpieces of the 20th century, including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats. If you want to combine art and history on your trip, the collection offers another way to explore, alongside the buildings and archaeological sites, through objects from different periods.

Foynes and regional specialities

The Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum showcases Foynes’ role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. The exhibition includes a 3D hologram presentation recreating the evening Irish Coffee was first served in Foynes in 1943. You can also try the drink at its original location. Aviation history and a local culinary tradition come together in one visitor experience.

Limerick Milk Market offers fresh local produce, artisan foods and unique crafts. The market also features live music and family-friendly activities, and you can meet the producers behind the products. This adds an insight into regional food and the chance to speak directly with the people who make it to your trip.

Discover more places

More places to help you find your way: Castleconnell, Limerick, Cill Mocheailóg, Ballyorgan, Caherconlish, Croagh, Tuogh, An Ghleann, Bruff, Knightstreet, Kilfinane, Ardpatrick, Clarina, Galbally, Pallasgreen, Reens, Ballyneety, Croom and Knocklong.

For the broader travel overview: Munster.