Limerick, a city in County Limerick, is the third largest city and one of the oldest in Ireland.
The charming city is located on the banks of Shannon River. With its beautiful architecture and its quirky vibe, Limerick is sure to win hearts!
Facts about Limerick
Limerick was founded by Vikings in 812. The city’s Charter of incorporation dates back to 1197, making it older than that of London’s.
The Treaty of Limerick was signed in the region in October 1691. Hence, it later got the name, ‘Treaty City’. It was signed on a stone which can be found at the Clare end of Thomond Bridge since 1865.
Cromwell’s forces had captured the city in 1651. One of the oldest cathedrals, St. Mary’s Cathedral, was used as a stable for the horses. The Cathedral dates back to the 12th Century.
During the War of Independence, Limerick was declared as a Special Military Area for 12 days. They printed their own money. The Limerick Trade and Labour Council protested from 15th – 27th April 1919.
The famous brew infused with Irish whiskey, Irish Coffee, was first made in 1943, at Foynes village, Limerick.
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Chef Joe Sheridan invented it and a traveling journalist Stanton Delaplane spread the word in his columns.
The city boasts of the largest Georgian Quarter in Ireland, outside Dublin.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s great-grandfather, Thomas Fitzgerald was born in the Bruff town in Limerick. He’s the reason of the ‘F’ in their names.
Apart from the Limerick in Ireland, there are 10 others in the USA. The places are spread over in Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Louisville, Ohio, Mississippi, New York, Maine, New Limerick in Maine, and Limerick Township in Pennsylvania.
King John’s Castle is the westernmost Norman castle in Europe. It was built by King John in 1200.
The 350-metre Living Bridge at the University of Limerick is the longest footbridge in Ireland and one of the longest in Europe. It spans the River Shannon while links the university premises of Co. Limerick to Co. Clare.
The Irish rugby team Munster was the only Irish team to defeat the All Blacks team. This legend happened at the Thormond Park in the city.
Lady Heath, a Limerick Lady, was the first person to fly solo across Africa from South Africa to London. She took this epic 10,000-mile journey alone in an openair cockpit.
The National Technology Park opened in 1984, is Ireland’s first science and technology park.
The Foynes port is the largest bulk port in Ireland. It can cater to vessels up to 60,000 DWT.
The Hastings family owned the largest brush-making factory in Europe, in the 1840s.
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The Limerick Chronicle started in 1768, is one of the oldest continuously operating newspapers in the world.
The city has the second highest estimated disposal income per person (€21,979) in the country, after Dublin (€24,061).