A Week in Limerick

Uh, don;'t know how to say this, but google stab city ireland. a couple of years ago, it was gangland

I stayed in the Adare Manor Villas for a week this past March and loved it. The town of Adare is adorable and has a great grocery store (Centra) and a few great pubs. We did some daytrips to the Cliffs of Moher/Burren area, the Dingle Peninsula, and to Blarney Castle and the Jameson Whiskey factory in Midleton, as well as to Killarney. Get a tour book and a map and see what appeals to you, then go from there.

What Karen said. Limerick itself isn't much, but it's not nearly as dangerous as Steve makes it out to be. It's just dirty and full of traffic, with nothing much to see. Passing through to Co. Clare is a lot nicer. Bunratty Castle and folk park are very near Shannon airport, too.

If you want to have a little fun with some real locals, try The Corner House pub in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick. Here's a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAKVUHMkHns

Yes, Limerick is a gray, industrial town. If you've read Angela's Ashes, you can see how it would be set here. If you haven't read it, don't - it will only depress you. I wandered looking for music and found an IRA pub. Rather than being stabbed, I was treated wonderfully by the partisans. My advice, rent a car and plan to drive to points of interest during the day. viamichilen.com, while not perfect, will give you an idea of driving times to various sites. Don't get carried away, 1 1/2 hours driving is plenty to see much of the area without gettting burned out.

As I recall, the one I ended up in was called Lone Star.

The vast majority of the violence in Limerick is from gangs/drugs, even with that the violent crime/homicide rate there is about one half or less of most large cities in the US. If you do some searches you can find many interesting things to see and do in Limerick and in areas close enough for day trips. Remember,"Angela's Ashes" took place mostly during the depression of the 1930's and bears little resemblance to the Limerick of today.

I once had a professor who was originally from Limerick and he said that most of "Angela's Ashes" was exaggerated b.s. He should know, he grew up in the same neighborhood as McCourt during the same time. Anway, I'm staying in Limerick for one day at the end of my Ireland trip and I'm not worried. I won't be there long enough to do much of anything, anyway. I'll probably just crash in our hotel b/c I'll be so tired. : - ) Anyway, enjoy Adare Manor. It looks lovely.

Despite what some of our resident "experts" say, talk to any Ireland resident, and they'll tell you to stay clear. Nothing to see or do. I wouldn't rent a room in Tacoma to visit Seattle either.

Steve - I'll take a day in Limerick over a day in a windowless office cubicle any time. : - ) When I travel I like to see the good, the bad and the ugly of every place I go to because experiencing many different sides to a country is fascinating to me. I definitely wouldn't spend a few days in Limerick, but I'm looking forward to just passing through for one day.

Despite what one of our "non-resident experts" has to say try www.limerick.ie. Unless it has been upgraded in the last couple of years their bus station has to be the worst in Ireland.

Thanks, everyone, for all of the insight. I'll definitely check out those pubs (I could just sit and listen ALL day)!

As others have said, Adare is a wonderful town and Adare Manor looks like a beautiful place to stay. I've had lunch there and walked the grounds, but have not stayed as a guest. County Limerick is pretty, but Limerick city (as others have noted) does not have much to offer. Even though it may have less crime than similarly-sized US cities, it has the highest crime rate in Ireland. And it's a pain to drive through, though drive through it you must if you want to see some wonderful sights out and about. If you are renting a car - and I suggest you do - you can do easy drives into surrounding counties - Clare, Kerry, Tipperary, even Cork or Galway (and probably others). Southwest and west Ireland offers stunning scenery and the best way to enjoy it is by car. I can offer specific suggestions if you're interested.