Things to do in Co. Limerick
18 places
1.Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails
Designed by world-renowned trail builder Dafydd Davis
Ireland's largest mountain bike trail network — 98km of purpose-built singletrack weaving through the Ballyhoura hills with panoramic views over Limerick and Cork.
- Highlights
- 98km of waymarked singletrack — Ireland's largest trail network
- Five loops from gentle blue (7km) to epic red (51km) plus expert black trails
- Designed by world-renowned trail builder Dafydd Davis
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
2.Kilmeedy Social Farm
Robot milking parlour with Frank the cleaning robot
A warm, inclusive family-run social farm where visitors of all ages and abilities can meet animals, explore a real working dairy farm, and unwind in the rolling Limerick countryside.
- Highlights
- Puppy and kitten cuddles at Jenny's Puppy Pad
- Robotic milking parlour with 'Frank' the cleaning robot
- Sensory room — a calming space for all ages
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
3.Clare Glens Waterfall
a red-sandstone gorge with waterfalls on two county borders
A deeply wooded red-sandstone gorge where the Clare River marks the Limerick–Tipperary border, cascading through a series of waterfalls, rapids, and natural rock pools. Two looped trails make it an easy, family-friendly escape into a Tolkien-esque landscape.
- Highlights
- Two loop trails (2 km & 4 km)
- Red-sandstone gorge with numerous waterfalls
- The Big Eas — the main named waterfall
4.Glenstal Abbey
a working Benedictine abbey in ancient oak woodland
A working Benedictine monastery in a 19th-century Norman-revival castle, where visitors walk ancient woodland avenues, join the monks' chant-filled liturgies and browse the famous gift shop.
- Highlights
- Norman-revival castle abbey built 1830s, monastery since 1927
- Gregorian chant liturgy in Latin
- 17th-century terraced garden with bible garden
- Facilities
- Restrooms · Wheelchair access
5.Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
where Irish coffee was invented
The original transatlantic flying-boat terminal where Irish coffee was invented — home to the world's only full-scale Boeing 314 Clipper replica and a treasure trove of aviation, maritime and Hollywood history.
- Highlights
- World's only full-size Boeing 314 Clipper replica
- Birthplace of Irish Coffee (1943)
- Maureen O'Hara's honorary Oscar on display
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
6.Lough Gur Lakeshore Park & Visitor Centre
a 45-metre stone circle older than the pyramids
A tranquil lakeshore in County Limerick layered with over 6,000 years of human history — home to Ireland's largest stone circle, Neolithic dwellings, medieval ruins, and folklore that still echoes through the valley.
- Highlights
- Ireland's largest stone circle — Grange Stone Circle, 45m across, 113 standing stones
- 6,000+ years of continuous settlement, one of Ireland's richest archaeological landscapes
- Horseshoe-shaped natural lake with peaceful lakeshore walks and woodland
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
7.Wild Encounters Mini Zoo
48+ species, many rescued from the exotic pet trade
A small, zoo-licenced family attraction near Newcastle West with 48+ species, packed daily keeper talks, indoor and outdoor play, and a café — all powered by a genuine love for its rescue animals.
- Highlights
- 48+ species of exotic and domestic animals
- Daily keeper talks and feeds included in entry
- Indoor and outdoor play areas for kids
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
8.Curraghchase Forest Park
haunting shell of a burnt-out Georgian mansion
A 300-hectare former aristocratic estate where woodland trails, lakeside walks, and the haunting shell of a burnt-out Georgian mansion create one of Limerick's most atmospheric forest parks.
- Highlights
- Façade of the burnt-out Curraghchase House overlooking the lake
- Ancient yew woodland
- de Vere family pet cemetery hidden in the arboretum
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
9.Glin Castle
Open to the public only one day a year
A gleaming Georgian-Gothic castle on the Shannon estuary, home to the Knights of Glin for over 700 years. Now an exclusive-hire country house, it opens to the public just once a year — but its magical gardens and heritage trails reward those who plan ahead.
- Highlights
- Neo-classical plaster ceiling and flying staircase
- Library with concealed secret door and snooker table
- 15-acre gardens with Gulf Stream exotics
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
10.Adare Village
Set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup
Ireland's prettiest village — a 13th-century gem of thatched cottages, medieval abbeys, and award-winning dining in the heart of County Limerick, set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup.
- Highlights
- Free historical exhibition at the Heritage Centre
- 13th-century Desmond Castle tours (Jun–Sep)
- Ireland's most famous thatched cottages
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
11.Canon Sheehan Loop (Glenanair Forest)
Hidden Mass Rock still in use today
A moderate 7 km loop through Glenanair Forest in the Ballyhoura uplands, following the Ogeen River across the Cork–Limerick border with woodland paths, a hidden Mass Rock, and sweeping mountain views.
- Highlights
- 7 km loop, ~2.5 hrs, moderate
- Bluebell carpets in May
- Historic Mass Rock still in occasional use
12.Limerick Racecourse
first purpose-built racecourse in 50 years
Ireland's first purpose-built racecourse in over 50 years, offering Flat and National Hunt racing on a modern right-handed oval track just south of Limerick city, with racing heritage stretching back to 1790.
- Highlights
- Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase (Christmas Festival, Day 3)
- Grade A Munster National (October)
- Summer twilight evening racing with live music
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
13.King John's Castle
Europe's best-preserved Norman fortress
A formidable 13th-century Norman fortress on the banks of the River Shannon, where 800 years of sieges, rebellion and medieval life come alive through cutting-edge interactive exhibits, courtyard games, and panoramic tower-top views over Limerick city.
- Highlights
- One of Europe's best-preserved Norman castles, built 1200–1210 on the orders of King John
- State-of-the-art interactive visitor centre (€5.7m redevelopment completed in 2013)
- Panoramic rooftop views over the River Shannon and Limerick city
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
14.Stonehall Visitor Farm
ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats and ride-on go-karts
A family-run wildlife park in the Curraghchase countryside, about 20 minutes from Limerick city, where you can meet lemurs, meerkats and wallabies, burn off energy in an indoor go-kart play area, and walk wooded nature trails whatever the weather.
- Highlights
- Ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, wallabies and birds of prey
- Indoor play area makes it a year-round family day out
- Wooded nature trails where red squirrels appear
- Facilities
- Good for kids · Wheelchair access
15.The Hunt Museum
Masterpieces by Picasso, Renoir, and Gauguin
A world-class collection of 2,500 objects spanning 5,000 years, housed in Limerick's elegant 18th-century Palladian Custom House on the banks of the River Shannon.
- Highlights
- Works by Picasso, Renoir, Gauguin, and Jack B. Yeats
- Sybil Connolly fashion collection
- Museum in a Garden with supersized 3D sculptures on the Shannon
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
16.Arena 5
Ireland's only UV bowling experience
Arena 5 is Limerick's big indoor family-entertainment hub: Ireland's only UV bowling alley, an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark dinosaur mini golf course, softplay, trampolines, an arcade and a café all under one roof at Delta Retail Park on the Ballysimon Road.
- Highlights
- Ireland's only UV bowling alley (8 lanes)
- 18-hole glow-in-the-dark dinosaur mini golf, indoors year-round
- Softplay, trampolines and arcade for kids
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
17.Funworld
Ten-pin bowling with bumpers & ramps
Limerick's only bowling alley and a lively family entertainment centre on the Ennis Road, packing ten-pin bowling, pool, snooker, arcade games, and a kids' adventure area under one roof.
- Highlights
- Limerick's only bowling alley
- 10 computerised lanes with bumpers & ramps
- Dedicated kids' adventure area for under 10s
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
18.Aura Leisure Grove Island
25-metre pool beside the River Shannon
A modern family-friendly leisure centre on the River Shannon's edge in Limerick City, with a 25-metre pool, well-equipped gym, and a health suite — open since 2013.
- Highlights
- 25-metre swimming pool plus heated learner & baby pools
- Full gym with cardio, resistance & free-weights areas
- Sauna, steam room & jacuzzi health suite
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access