Find out all about what Limerick has to offer you for the next four years, and beyond. You won’t find directions to the library in this guide, but we do share where to find a great pint!
Ways to explore Limerick
Need a break from your assignments? Why not try kayaking? It’s a brilliant way to see and experience Limerick!
Sign up for the TFI Bikes service to get access to a self-service bike rental. Stations are conveniently located throughout the city to provide a handy way to get around. At just €10 for an annual subscription, it’s super affordable!
University of Limerick students have a 3km scenic riverbank walkway and cycle path, leading from the University right in to the city!
One of the fastest ways to find your feet in a new place is to get up, out and go for a wonder about! Walk the Three Bridges, taking in the heart of Old Limerick and some of the best views the city has to offer. You can take it at your own pace, stopping off at the various pubs, cafés and restaurants dotted along the route!
There’s also numerous walking tours in the city which will captivate you with stories of Limerick's past and present. Experience the architecture, history and folklore, as well as some of the surprises and delights, of this fascinating riverside city. Or why not try a self-guided walking tour of historic Limerick City?
After Dark
Limerick has a busy nightlife with pubs, clubs and live music venues all attracting thousands of people every week. Limerick is home to one of Ireland’s best known live music venues, Dolan’s, with traditional music and a variety of gigs taking place every night of the week. Check out Live at the Big Top and King John’s Castle for some pretty spectacular gigs too!
The city has a range of cozy pubs, stylish bars, and buzzing nightclubs. The Commercial, Molly’s late night disco bar, The Locke (THE place to go for a drink on a sunny day in Limerick), and the Icon Nightclub (for the shift) are just some of the many options for a night out. Check out the full list of bars, pubs and clubs here.
Tasty Treats
If you fancy a night off from cooking, Limerick has you covered. Try to make an early bird for great deals, but if a four course meal is out of your budget, Limerick’s café, street food and casual dining scenes are varied, flavourful and affordable!
There are a variety of options to choose from including local eateries such as Canteen, Viko Viko and The Buttery as well as international brands like Starbucks and Gloria Jean’s, to name but a few.
Retail Therapy
Don’t miss out on the Limerick Milk Market on a Saturday morning! Sip your coffee as you amble around checking out the sights and sounds of one of the oldest markets in the country.
Then take a short stroll into Limerick’s main retail area. There’s the high-end Brown Thomas right down to the high-street favourites such as Penneys, New Look and River Island!
Try Lucky Lane on Catherine Street, an eclectic thrift store with second-hand clothes, up-cycled furniture, plants, arts and crafts.
On the city’s outskirts there’s the Crescent Shopping Centre, the biggest and most successful shopping complex outside of Dublin. That’s not all; there’s the Jetland Shopping Centre, Childer’s Road Retail Park, the Parkway Shopping Centre and Retail Park, and many more competitively priced shopping centres. Spoiled for choice really!
Sporting Limerick
Fact is, there’s far too much to tell about ‘Sporting Limerick’ in this space but here goes: from the home of All Ireland Champions, the Gaelic Grounds, to the hallowed Thomond Park Stadium – the home ground of the legendary Munster rugby - you are in a city that offers you pretty much everything you need to satisfy your sporting interests summer through to winter.
Limerick FC soccer team has returned to its spiritual home in the Markets Field and just returned to top flight football.
There’s Limerick Racecourse, host of the Student Race Days, the Limerick Greyhound Stadium, the UL Sports Arena with its multi-purpose state of the art facility; the Delta Indoor Sports Arena, outdoor all-weather pitches, various tennis clubs – you name it, Limerick has it!
Have you ever wondered what the attraction of golf was…well Limerick has a public golf course at Rathbane on the southern outskirts of the city. With green fees starting from €10, it’s difficult to beat.
Adrenalin Rush
Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Park will challenge even the biggest adrenalin junkies. Get down and dirty on one of the largest trail networks of its kind in Ireland with 98kms of trails suitable for beginners and professionals. Bring your own bike or hire one there.
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If you prefer four wheels, rev up at the National Karting Centre in Corbally
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How about a spot of painting? The Basecamp Adventure Park in Shanagolden is home to a variety of outdoor activities including Paintball, Forest Archery, Splatball and Bushcraft.
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Kilfinane has an outdoor education centre and UL Sport’s Adventure Centre offers high quality adventure based programmes
Things to See & Do
With rent prices in Limerick over 50% lower than in Dublin, 25% lower than Cork and 23% lower than Galway, you’ll have some spare cash to spend on seeing the sights!
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13th century King John’s Castle in Limerick City
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The Lime Tree Theatre, Belltable Arts Centre, University Concert Hall and Millennium Theatre all host regular events
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The various cinemas dotted across Limerick offer special student rates!
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RollerJam, Bowling, Arena 5 UV Bowling, Jurassic Par Mini Golf, National Kart Centre, Escape Limerick
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Limerick’s festival listing is jam-packed with favourites like Riverfest and St. Patrick’s Festival, along with film, music, dance, sports and literary festivals, and loads more!
Fun for Free
You don't have to break the bank to have a social life in Limerick, there's plenty of free attractions!
More to Explore
Just a short trip from Limerick’s lively city is a magnificent county full of sights, open spaces and rural charm!
Carving a 40km path through the local countryside, the Limerick Greenway offers an authentic experience of rural Ireland for cyclists, runners and walkers.
Have a bonding session with your new housemates and take a road trip along along the Shannon Estuary Way and Foynes, home of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.
- There’s the wonderful 774 acre Curraghchase Forest Park also off the N69
- Head to the stunning Clare Glens and Glenstal Abbey near Murroe
- Picturesque villages like Adare and Castleconnell; towns with great heritage and architectural history like Kilmallock, Askeaton and Newcastle West
- Lough Gur has a captivating heritage centre looking back at 6,000 years of life and Ireland’s largest stone circle
