Attractions Nearby Limerick, Day Trips and Excursions

(Limerick, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland)

Part of the pleasure of visiting Limerick is the chance to get out and explore the many neighbouring attractions. Prominent towns and villages within a short drive of Limerick include Adare, Newcastlewest and Glenosheen. Lough Gur is a particularly interesting area, as it has been constantly inhabited for millennia.

Hiring a car certainly makes exploring the region much simpler, with possible day trips and excursions becoming all the more easy. If you are based in Limerick with you own set of wheels, then the exceptional attractions of Cork, Galway, Kilkee and Killarney will all likely beckon.

Adare

Adare is located a little less than 20 km / 12 miles to the north-east of Limerick. This is a compact village with several historical attractions, all of which can be visited on foot.

Start at the Heritage Centre on Station Road, where you can park your car, and step inside for information on local offerings. Highlights of Adare include Desmond Castle, a trio of Friaries and several charming thatched cottages. Adare Manor is also worth checking out.

Lough Gur Interpretive Centre

Address: Route 512, Lough Gur, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 385 186
This lake has hosted human communities since Neolithic times. Lough Gur is a fascinating place to explore, since archaeologists have uncovered ancient farms, community grounds and the oldest stone circle in Ireland. Stop by the visitors centre to get advice on where to start and take a look at its ancient flint stones, bronze treasures and Stone Age pottery replicas. If you time your visit right, you may even be able to join in the fun at a local Celtic festival.
Open hours: mid-May to September, daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, seniors, students and families

Glenosheen

Glenosheen lies around 40 km / 25 miles east of Limerick. This ancient village is named after its patron saint and local legends hold that St. Patrick once built a church here.

This is a solid day trip destination, and visitors can stop by the Kilfinane Market on the way or venture out to the Seefin Mountain.

Newcastlewest

Newcastlewest is the second-biggest town in the county and lies to the south of Limerick City. It boasts a fine old square and shares part of the Desmond Castle grounds with Adare. The Great Southern Trail, an 85-km / 53-mile cycling and footpath, also passes through Newcastlewest. Further visitor attractions around the town include Castle Demesne, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Bridge of Tears, as well as a very fine town square.

Glin Castle

Address: Glin, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 068 34173
Located within the nearby village of Glin, approximately 50 km / 31 miles to the north-west of the city, is Glin Castle.
The first castle was home to a band of knights for more than seven centuries and its ruins are still clearly visible. The present-day incarnation of Glin Castle dates from 1780 and successfully blends Georgian and Gothic architecture. It operated as a hotel well into the 2000s, when financial hardship hit and saw it function briefly a sightseeing attraction. Nowadays, only the gardens are open to the public.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Cork

Address: County Cork
An extremely popular and historic city located some 100 km / 62 miles to the south of Limerick, Cork certainly comes highly recommended as a day trip destination, and by car can be reached in approximately one and a half hours. The attractions in Cork come thick and fast, with the best of the bunch including the City Gaol, the Elizabeth Fort, the Lewis Gluckman Gallery, the Shandon Church and St. Finbarr's Cathedral, as well as the Cork Vision Centre and regular walking tours around the medieval streets. This walled city is also known for its events calendar, with highlights being the Midsummer Festival in the summer, followed by the Film and Jazz festivals in October.

Galway

Address: County Galway
Galway is the fifth-biggest city in Ireland and has become something of a major tourism hub, with many places of interest dotted around the tourist area of Salthill, including the Seapoint Promenade and the Galway Atlantaquaria attraction. Eyre Square forms an important pedestriansed area in the city centre and its packed with shops and cafes, being home to the city's famous Spanish Arch. Cruises around Lough Corrib and the river are also popular.

Kilkee

Address: County Clare
An underrated seaside resort just 90 km / 56 miles to the west, Kilkee resides in County Clare and boasts a curving sandy beachfront, with a number of surrounding attractions, including some natural swimming pools. These pools are known locally as Pollock Holes and fill up with fresh sea water when the tide comes in, being suitable for a spot of sheltered snorkelling. Kilkee also offers some commendable scuba diving locations and cliff walks, where the surrounding coastal scenery can be admired.

Killarney

Address: County Kerry
Killarney is a leading tourist destination in County Kerry and lies approximately 110 km / 68 miles to the south-west. Visitors to Killarney often come here to explore the sprawling Killarney National Park, which is filled with cycleways and pathways. Many of the most visited local attractions are based within Killarney National Park, such as Ross Castle, Muckross House and Gardens, Muckross Abbey and the Lakes of Killarney, as well as the endless oak and yew woodlands, and some important native herds of red deer. Horse and carriage rides make for an especially pleasant way to explore the park.