Limerick is a treasure trove of sights to see and things to do. From Medieval marvels to striking street art; from captivating culture to leading landmarks, we’ve rounded up some of the best free activities to help you plan fun days out in Limerick!
1. Visit the fascinating Hunt Museum - under 16s go free!
The Hunt Museum is a must see for visitors and locals alike! Immerse yourself in one of Ireland's greatest private collections of art and antiquities which includes works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats. Kiddies can explore the collection through a series of fun-filled treasure trails and online games - and best of all, under 16s go free! The Hunt Café, overlooking the garden and River Shannon beyond, is the perfect spot to sample some delicious home-cooked food before embarking on your next adventure!
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm & Sunday 11am – 5pm.
2. Enjoy a picnic in the People’s Park
Limerick has no shortage of parks and green spaces, and leafy People's Park in Pery Square is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic! With the hustle and bustle of the city just beyond the tree-lined fences, the park is a charming place to while away an afternoon amid a wonderful display of flowers during the summer. Find a full list of Limerick's parks here.
3. Get your culture fix at Limerick City Gallery of Art
Located in the heart of Georgian Limerick overlooking the verdant People's Park, Limerick City Gallery of Art is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Ireland. The gallery is home to a vast collection of Irish artworks and regularly showcases an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary visual arts from national and international artists, making every visit unique!
Open seven days a week (except public holidays) and admission is FREE!
4. Take in a toe-tapping trad session
You can’t leave Limerick without a trip to The Locke Bar for some live Irish music and dancing! Every evening traditional Irish musicians and dancers take centre stage and get the ‘craic’ started for the Big Limerick Seisiún! You can treat yourself to delicious food from their award-winning kitchen while soaking up the lively atmosphere of the Seisiún! Sessions take place 9pm-11pm Sunday to Thursday, 9pm-12am Friday and Saturday.
Popular music venue, pub and restaurant Dolans hosts a FREE traditional music session every Saturday night. Dolans is synonymous in Limerick and beyond for its charm, Irish hospitality, incredible atmosphere, great pint, delicious food and Irish music and dancing sessions! Trad sessions kicks off at 9pm on Saturday night.
5. Browse the stalls at Limerick Milk Market and Wickham Way
Discover the best of local, fresh produce at Limerick Milk Market – a local haven for foodies! With a guaranteed lively atmosphere every weekend the market boasts a variety of stallholders selling produce from great farmhouse cheeses and chutneys, just-caught fish and artisan meats, organic fruit and vegetables, to delicious healthy bread and fresh pressed juices!
Nearby Wickham Way, a colourful and quirky city centre venue, is home to a host of local vendors each weekend offering everything from food, coffee, art, handmade crafts and more.
Entry to both is free, but it will take major willpower not to be tempted by the inviting aromas and indulge in some of the delicious treats on offer!
6. Uncover captivating history at Limerick Museum
Embracing Limerick’s past never gets old and the Limerick Museum offers a unique collection that tells the history of Limerick and its people in its full glory! The museum hosts over 60,000 interesting objects from archaeological artefacts to Limerick lace. Some of the more unusual items worth seeking out include Ireton’s Cat, a mummified cat found on Nicholas Street in the 1890’s; a fragment of the largest meteorite ever to fall in the British Isles; and two World War II gas masks that fortunately never had to be used.
Limerick Museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm (closed for lunch 1pm – 2pm) and admission is free!
7. Check out Limerick’s creative edge on the Street Art Trail
Limerick has become a canvas for spectacular urban art with some of the world’s most celebrated street artists making their mark on the city streets through an eclectic and engaging collection of murals. Limerick Street Art Trail showcases some of the most vibrant and evocative pieces in the city’s collection through a self-guided walking trail for visitors and locals to enjoy at their leisure!
8. Treasure hunt fun with Adventure Walks Limerick app
Download the Adventure Walks app and unleash treasure hunt fun for all the family in Limerick’s parks! Adventure Walks is a collection of 1km and 2 km fun-filled treasure hunts designed for mini explorers aged 4 to 15 across 12 locations throughout Limerick.
Simply download the Adventure Walks Limerick smartphone app for free (iphone | android) and let the fun begin!
9. Revel in the medieval majesty of Desmond Castle, Newcastle West
The imposing Desmond Castle and Banqueting Hall in the heart of bustling Newcastle West is the town’s most notable historical landmark and a must-see for any visitor. Once used by the Earls of Desmond for lavish banquets, the vaulted medieval hall is one of the most impressive surviving halls in Ireland. Its restored features include an oak musicians' gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.
Open daily from 7 April to 26 October 2022 from 10am – 5pm and admission is completely free of charge!
10. Take a road trip along the scenic Shannon Estuary Way
Combine city and coast on a day trip with a difference! The Shannon Estuary Way is a spectacular, unspoiled riverside destination off the Wild Atlantic Way connecting Limerick, Kerry and Clare along a 207km looped drive, bringing you through all three counties in one day! The driving route winds its way through stunning and changing landscapes and river vistas, offering everything from medieval heritage to outdoor adventure along the way.
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