Limerick City
Visit Limerick City for King John’s Castle beside the Shannon, a medieval quarter and the 40 km Limerick Greenway nearby.
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Limerick City is on the River Shannon in western Ireland. King John’s Castle is a landmark from the city’s medieval past, and the streets around it make up a medieval quarter to explore on foot. The river runs through the city, while the 40 km Limerick Greenway gives visitors an option for a longer ride beyond the center.
Plan your time around what you want to see: a city visit focused on the castle and historic streets, or a trip that also includes cycling on the Greenway. The draft does not provide enough information to recommend a specific number of hours or days for either. Limerick can also fit into a wider Ireland itinerary that includes Dublin, Shannon Airport, County Clare or County Kerry. Choose the city for its castle and medieval quarter; add the Greenway if you want time outdoors beyond the center.
Limerick City in five
- Plan King John's Castle by seasonThe castle is open seven days: 9:30–18:00 (last entrance 17:00) from 1 April to 30 September, and 9:30–17:00 (last entrance 16:00) from 1 October to 31 March.King John's Castle
- Ride the Limerick Greenway for a day outThe Greenway follows the old Great Southern Railway for 40 km between Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale, linking Newcastle West. Sections run from 3 km to over 9 km, so it splits into easy stages.Limerick Greenway FAQ
- Check Greenway car park hoursThe car parks lock on a seasonal schedule: 8:00–17:00 from November to February, 7:00–19:00 in March, April, September and October, and 7:00–22:00 from May to August.
- Treat Limerick as a stop, not a base, for ClareThe Burren and the Cliffs of Moher lie north-west in County Clare. Decide first whether Limerick is the night you sleep, or whether Galway or Doolin shortens the next day.The Burren
Things to do in Limerick City
See all attractions in Limerick City
Need to know
- Airport
- Shannon (SNN), the nearest international gateway
- Getting there
- Irish Rail from Dublin Heuston; Shannon Airport is the nearest gateway
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; a car for the Greenway ends
- Best base
- Near the Shannon quays or the old town
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with the Greenway
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain17 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low3°Cold, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°ShowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Castle summer hoursAprilRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Castle summer hours
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Greenway to 22:00MayRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Greenway to 22:00
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Greenway to 22:00JuneRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Greenway to 22:00
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Greenway to 22:00JulyRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Greenway to 22:00
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Greenway to 22:00AugustRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Greenway to 22:00
- SeptemberRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Greenway to 19:00SeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Greenway to 19:00
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Castle winter hoursOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Castle winter hours
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
- DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Dark, festiveDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, festive
Average daily high and low in Limerick, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Limerick City
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Limerick City
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°-1°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°-1°0%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed12°4°0%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°6°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°2°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat9°2°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun9°7°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 05:30 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulGalway International Arts FestivalGalway, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Limerick GreenwayRathkeale trailhead is nearest the cityA 40 km path on a former railway, easy to ride in stages.
- The Burrena day by road or tourLimestone pavement, caves and walking trails in County Clare.Read the guide
- Cliffs of Mohera day by road or tourThe Atlantic cliffs of County Clare, best on a clear day.Read the guide
Before you go to Limerick City
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Rules for Limerick City, checked
- King John's Castle is open seven days, with winter hours from 1 October to 31 March and summer hours from 1 April to 30 September.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Limerick City
Walks, caves and wildflowers in County Clare
Read the guideCliffs of MoherThe Clare coast, best on a clear day
Read the guideCounty KerryThe Ring of Kerry and Killarney to the south
Read the guideAll of IrelandRegions, rail, driving and entry rules
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsDublin to Limerick and onward
Read the guideLimerick City FAQ
How many days do you need in Limerick?
One day covers King John's Castle and the riverside streets. Add a second day for the Limerick Greenway or for a drive into Clare. Treat it as a night between Shannon Airport and the west coast.
Is Limerick worth visiting?
For a castle, a working river city and an easy Greenway, yes. It has fewer headline sights than Galway or Kilkenny, so it suits travelers who like a lived-in city. Pair it with Clare or Kerry rather than a stand-alone trip.
Is King John's Castle open in winter?
Yes. The castle is open seven days a week, with winter hours of 9:30–17:00 from 1 October to 31 March and the last entrance at 16:00. Summer hours run to 18:00 from 1 April to 30 September.
How long is the Limerick Greenway?
40 km from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale, along the old Great Southern Railway, with Newcastle West in between. The county council splits it into sections from 3 km to over 9 km, so you can ride a short stage.
Is Limerick a good base for the Cliffs of Moher?
It works with a car and an early start, but Galway or Doolin put you closer. Use Limerick if you are flying into Shannon or want a city evening, and check road times on the day.