Limerick City and County Council is delighted to invite you to the launch of the Foynes and Newcastle West Architectural Conservation Area Wonder Wander Walking Trails on March 25th 2025.
Explore the rich architectural history of Limerick with the Wonder Wander Walking Trails, created by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage in collaboration with the Limerick City and County Council Architectural Conservation Office and EZxploring. These two immersive trails invite you to discover the vibrant streetscapes of the Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) in the heart of Newcastle West and Foynes.
The trails celebrate the unique architectural heritage and sense of place, offering a chance to explore the diverse history of these iconic areas. As part of the project, engaging community workshops and informative drop-in sessions were held, encouraging local participation and storytelling. Special involvement from local schools added an extra layer of richness, enhancing the trail maps and fostering greater public awareness of our built heritage.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran commented on the trails:
“As Mayor, I am delighted to see the launch of these two Wonder Wander Walking Trails which celebrate the rich and diverse architectural heritage of Foynes and Newcastle West. Walking trails are not just about getting from A to B. They breathe new life into historical character areas, enhance the quality of life and sense of place for residents, offer opportunities to expand the existing tourism offerings and most importantly are places to spend quality time with family and friends or to even exchange casual chats with new friends.”
Cathaoirleach of Newcastle West Municipal District, Cllr. Liam Galvin added:
"The Wonder Wander Walking Trail in Newcastle West is a fantastic initiative that showcases our town's architectural beauty and rich history as a market town developed around Desmond Castle. This is a wonderful opportunity for both locals and visitors to connect with our heritage in a meaningful way."
Cathaoirleach of Adare-Rathkeale Electoral Area, Cllr. Adam Teskey commented:
“Foynes is long associated with its port and as the home of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum but there is much more to explore, and this trail is a brilliant way to highlight the unique charm and historical significance of the area. I'm excited for everyone to experience the stories and landmarks that make Foynes special."
Executive Architectural Conservation Officer at Limerick City and County Council, Shóna O’ Keeffe explained:
“These two new walking trails shine a light on the towns of Newcastle West and Foynes, and highlight the special architectural and historical character of these areas that led Limerick City and County Council to designate them as Architectural Conservation Areas. The trails incorporate key urban and civic spaces, including the Square in Newcastle West and Main Street in Foynes. The inclusion of the Scavenger Hunts in the two Walking Trails is a family-friendly activity that encourages visitors and local residents alike to stop and really look up at the buildings around them – spotting a variety of window types around the Square in Newcastle West, and architectural features of different architectural styles within the Church grounds in Foynes.
"We hope that these trails will provide an opportunity for tourists visiting the Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Desmond Castle to extend their visits, and explore more of the architectural heritage of these towns. We are delighted to have been able to take part in this Wonder Wander Walking Trail initiative run by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, and very grateful for the support, enthusiasm and hard work from them and from the contractor, EZxploring.
"Edel, from EZxploring, worked with the local communities in the preparation of the trails, and we hope that the walking trails will boost the sense of pride both communities feel for their architectural heritage.”
On Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, the Foynes trail will launch at 10am at Foynes Library, and the Newcastle West trail will launch at 1pm at Newcastle West Library.
Both events will be followed by an opportunity for a guided walk of the trails.
Join us in celebrating and preserving the architectural gems that shape our communities!
The maps will be available to download on the NIAH and Limerick City and County Council website from the launch date and some paper copies will be available on the day.
We hope that you can join us for this celebration of Limerick’s architectural heritage.