Limerick Museums and Art Galleries

(Limerick, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland)



River Shannon viewLimerick has a surprising number of museums and art galleries, especially considering the city's medium size, any of which are perfect for rounding off a day of sightseeing.

Visitors can tour a major attraction like King John's Castle and then follow up with a visit to an art gallery or history museum. Exhibits explore everything from the city's ancient history to the more recent social disparity between the elite and the working class in early 20th-century Limerick.


Hunt Museum photo

Hunt Museum

Address: The Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick City, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 312 833
Housed in the Custom House in downtown Limerick and boasting views across the River Shannon, the Hunt Museum contains some 2,000 medieval artefacts along with a few impressive works of art. The Hunts were avid and wealthy collectors, and this is easily one of the finest museums in the Republic. In addition to priceless treasures, the museum holds paintings by Picasso, Renoir and Yeats. Various events take place here throughout the year, including lunchtime lectures, and arts and crafts activities for children.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, students and families

Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA) image

Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA)

Address: Carnegie Building, Pery Square, Limerick City, County of Limerick, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 610 633
Located on Pery Square, the prestigious City Gallery of Art serves as the principal venue for exhibitions of modern arts, whilst also containing an extensive collection of traditional Irish paintings, dating from the 18th century onwards. Many of the art works housed in this museum were painted by acclaimed artists, such as Jack B. Yeats and Sean Keating. The gallery is at its busiest in spring when the city's annual contemporary art exhibition is staged, officially named the 'Exhibition of Visual+ Art' (E V+ A).
Open hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Thursday - 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00
Admission: free

Limerick City Museum / Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum

Address: Castle Lane, Limerick City, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 417 826
Formerly known as the Limerick City Museum and renamed as the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum to honour a past mayor, this venue is located next to King John's Castle and comes with a quaint collection of cultural and historical exhibits. Artefacts on display include relics from the Bronze Age, silver objects, laceworks, examples of local printing and various bygone handicrafts. More recent maps and photographs are also on show. Founded in 1906 and now run by the City Council, the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum relocated to its present site in 1999, where it occupies a warehouse-style building next to the river.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 13:00, 14:15 to 17:00
Admission: free

Foynes Flying Boat Museum picture

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Address: Foynes, County Limerick, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 695 416
In 1939, the first direct flight between North America and Europe landed in the nearby town of Foynes, just under 40 km / 25 miles to the west. Suddenly, this small town in County Limerick was at the centre of global transportation, welcoming high-profile politicians and celebrities on a regular basis. An authentic replica of the 'flying boat' that made this historic flight is now on display here.
Open hours: late March to October, daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, students, seniors and families, free for children four years of age and under

Picture of the Belltable arts centre

Belltable

Address: 69 O'Connell Street, Limerick City, Republic of Ireland, IE
Tel: +353 061 319 866
Founded at the beginning of the 1980s, the Belltable is an established arts venue and one of the county's oldest. The centre comes with an extensive mixture of art exhibitions, theatrical performances, visual arts, film screenings, comedy gigs and music. The renowned Fresh Film Festival is hosted by the Belltable each March and offers an important platform for young filmmakers to share their hard work, and many come to participate in the related workshops.
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge for many events