Things to do in County Limerick

Shanid Castle is a ruined Norman castle located in County Limerick, in the Munster province of Ireland. It stands on a prominent glacial mound near the village of Shanagolden in the western part of the county, and represents one of the earliest Norman fortifications in the region. The castle is historically significant as the ancestral stronghold of the FitzGerald dynasty, the Earls of Desmond, and it is from this site that the famous FitzGerald war cry "Shanid Abú" — meaning "Shanid forever" or "Shanid to victory" — is believed to derive. This rallying cry became one of the most celebrated in Munster history, binding generations of one of Ireland's most powerful Anglo-Norman families to this windswept hilltop in County Limerick. The origins of the castle date to the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, in the years following the Norman invasion of Ireland. The FitzGerald family, who had arrived in Ireland as part of the Cambro-Norman forces, established themselves throughout Munster and built Shanid as a seat of power in the region. The castle served as the principal stronghold of the White Knight branch of the FitzGeralds and later the Earls of Desmond, a dynasty that at its height controlled vast swathes of Munster and wielded near-regal authority. The Desmonds became so powerful that they were often referred to as the "uncrowned kings of Munster," and their defiance of English Crown authority ultimately led to their destruction during the Desmond Rebellions of the sixteenth century. Following the defeat of the last Earl of Desmond, Gerald FitzGerald, in 1583, the power of the dynasty was broken and Shanid, like many of their other castles, fell into ruin. What survives today is a circular stone tower, a fragment of curtain wall, and the earthwork mound upon which the fortification was constructed. The tower, though roofless and heavily weathered, still rises to an impressive height and gives a clear sense of the commanding position the castle once occupied. The stonework is rough and ancient in character, with thick walls that speak to the defensive intent of its builders. Standing at the base of the mound, one gets a genuine sense of the strategic thinking of the Norman lords — the elevation provides sweeping views across the surrounding farmland and towards the Shannon estuary in the distance. The atmosphere is quiet and a little melancholy, as is common with such ruins in the Irish countryside, and the sounds are almost exclusively natural: birdsong, wind moving through the grass, and the occasional distant machinery of a working farm. The landscape surrounding Shanid Castle is gentle and pastoral, typical of County Limerick's agricultural lowlands. Green fields stretch out in every direction, bounded by hedgerows and stone walls, with the broad plain of the Shannon basin visible to the north. The village of Shanagolden lies very close by and provides the nearest point of orientation for visitors. The broader area contains other points of historical interest characteristic of this part of Munster, and the nearby River Deel winds through the countryside between the castle and the Shannon. Askeaton, with its own impressive Desmond castle and Franciscan friary, lies not far to the east and forms a natural companion visit for anyone interested in the FitzGerald legacy across the region. Visiting Shanid Castle is a relatively straightforward though informal affair. There is no visitor centre, no admission charge, and no on-site management — it is an open heritage site freely accessible to the public. The castle sits near the road and can be reached by car travelling through Shanagolden. Visitors should expect a short walk across a field or up the earthwork mound to reach the tower itself, so sensible footwear is advisable, particularly in wet weather when the grass can be slippery. The best time to visit is during the spring or summer months when the light is generous and the ground drier, though the site holds a particular atmospheric quality on overcast autumn days when the ruins seem to merge with the grey sky above. There are no facilities on site, so visitors should plan accordingly. One of the more fascinating aspects of Shanid Castle is the enduring power of its association with the FitzGerald war cry. "Shanid Abú" was not merely a battlefield slogan but an identity statement that linked one of the mightiest dynasties in medieval Ireland to a specific piece of land in County Limerick. Even today, the phrase appears in heraldic and genealogical contexts related to the FitzGerald families, and the site retains a quiet but real significance for those with connections to that lineage. The castle is also a reminder of how thoroughly the Norman lords who came to Ireland in the twelfth century became absorbed into Irish culture — the Desmonds famously became "more Irish than the Irish themselves," adopting Gaelic language, customs, and alliances in ways that made them thorns in the side of the English Crown for centuries. Shanid, modest in its current remains, stands as a touchstone for that complex and turbulent history.

Askeaton Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress standing on a small rocky island in the River Deel in County Limerick, western Ireland. It ranks among the most substantial and well-preserved castle complexes in Munster, comprising both a great tower keep and the remarkable remains of a Franciscan friary in close proximity on the riverbank. The castle is a National Monument in State care, and its dramatic silhouette rising above the slow-moving river makes it one of the most visually striking heritage sites in the Shannon region. For visitors with an interest in medieval Irish history, Desmond power, and Franciscan religious architecture, Askeaton offers an unusually rich and layered experience in a town that remains relatively off the beaten tourist trail. The origins of a fortification at this site date to the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, but it was the Earls of Desmond, the great FitzGerald dynasty of Munster, who transformed Askeaton into a major seat of power from the fourteenth century onward. Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, the third Earl of Desmond, known as Gearóid Iarla, is closely associated with the castle and with Irish culture more broadly — he was a celebrated poet in the Irish language and one of the few Anglo-Norman lords to become fully absorbed into Gaelic literary tradition. The castle served as the principal residence of the Earls of Desmond throughout much of the fifteenth century, and the great banqueting hall within the complex, with its fine carved windows, speaks to the cultural ambition and wealth of this dynasty at its height. The castle is also intimately associated with the FitzGerald-founded Franciscan friary established nearby in the early fifteenth century, whose cloister arcade, with its intricately carved pillars, is considered one of the finest pieces of late medieval stonework in Ireland. The fall of Askeaton is tied to the catastrophic Desmond Rebellions of the sixteenth century. The eleventh Earl of Desmond, Gerald FitzGerald, led the second Desmond Rebellion against Elizabethan rule beginning in 1579, and the subsequent Nine Years' War-era suppression of the Desmonds resulted in the devastation of much of Munster. Askeaton was garrisoned and contested during this period, and the destruction of the Desmond lordship effectively ended the castle's role as a functioning seat of power. The lands were subsequently escheated to the Crown and later redistributed during the Munster Plantation. The castle's association with Gearóid Iarla also brought it into folklore — legend holds that the Earl did not die but sleeps beneath the waters of Lough Gur nearby, riding a silver-shod horse, waiting to return when Ireland needs him, a motif shared with several mythologised Irish lords and overlapping with broader Celtic sleeping-hero traditions. Physically, Askeaton Castle is dominated by a tall, commanding tower keep set on its rocky island outcrop, connected to the riverbank by a bridge. The walls are of rough-hewn limestone, weathered to a silver-grey that takes on warm amber tones in evening light. Within the curtain walls, the great hall retains impressive stonework including carved window surrounds, and the scale of the structure conveys the genuine power and resources of the Desmond Earls at their zenith. Climbing within the tower offers panoramic views across the Deel valley and the low-lying farmland of County Limerick stretching toward the Shannon estuary. The site is quiet and often uncrowded, lending it an atmosphere of genuine solitude and historical weight. Birdsong, the murmur of the river, and the occasional distant sound of traffic from the N69 are typically all one hears — a peaceful contrast to the violent history embedded in the stones. The town of Askeaton itself is a small, unpretentious settlement on the N69 road between Limerick city and Foynes, roughly 24 kilometres west of Limerick. The surrounding landscape is low and green, with the River Deel feeding into the broader Shannon estuary plain — a region of wet meadows, hedgerows, and scattered farmsteads typical of west Limerick. A short walk from the castle along the riverbank stands the Franciscan friary, which is genuinely not to be missed: its cloister, though roofless, contains pillars carved with human figures, foliage, and interlace work of exceptional quality. Nearby Foynes is famous for its flying boat museum and its connection to the invention of Irish coffee, while Limerick city offers the Hunt Museum with its outstanding collection of medieval Irish artefacts providing useful context for a visit to Askeaton. For practical purposes, Askeaton Castle is freely accessible and managed by the Office of Public Works as a National Monument. The castle island is reached via a footbridge from the town, and access is generally open during daylight hours, though visitors should check OPW guidance as access to interior sections can vary. The site has no on-site visitor centre, but interpretation panels provide context. The town has limited but adequate parking, and the N69 bus route connecting Limerick to Foynes passes through Askeaton, making it accessible without a car. The best time to visit is late spring through early autumn when the light is favourable and the riverside setting is at its most attractive, though the grey winter light can give the castle an especially atmospheric quality. Stout footwear is advisable as the ground around the monument can be uneven and muddy after rain.

Glin Castle is situated on the banks of the River Shannon, 30 miles from Limerick in the west of Ireland. Built from local stone the fully restored castle is set in the centre of a 500 acre wooded estate with three gothic battlemented folly lodges. It is a plain Georgian castellated house with a colonnaded entrance built over three floors. Facilities Today Glin Castle is rented out on exclusive basis between March and November and is capable of sleeping up to 30 guests, or seating up to 50 people for wedding receptions and special occasions. Guests renting the castle will have full use of all the castle's rooms along with all the housekeeping and kitchen staff. On the ground floor the castle consists of a sitting or smoking room, library, drawing room and dining room. Access to first floor is via a distinctive flying staircase, which appears to have no support, where the individually designed guest bedrooms and bathrooms can be found, there are 4 deluxe rooms, 6 superior and 5 standard rooms; the superior and standard rooms being in the old castle wing or on the third floor. The castle's gardens are also available to guests with its walled kitchen garden and the opportunity to try tennis and croquet on the lawns. The castle was originally a long thatch house built by in the 1780's by Colonel Richard Fitzgerald; Knight of Glin and decedent of the Desmond clan, to replace an earlier ruined medieval settlement. The castle was added to by his nephew John Fitzgerald until 1790 when he incorporated the long house into the west wing. He was also responsible for enlarging the main block by adding a hall, grand double flying staircase, two more reception rooms the drawing room and library. The castle is still in the hands of the Knights of Glin with the current owner being the 29th Knight and his wife who are also involved with the auction house 'Christies' of London.

King John's Castle is a prominent landmark at the north western end of the Sarsfield Street in the town of Kilmallock, County Limerick The castle is a four storey tower that may have been part of the northern gate entrance to the town at one time. It is sixty feet high with battlements, and two wide arched openings at ground level. There is a public passage through an opening of the basement. King John's Castle was built in the 15th Century, and is a good example of a 'Peel' Tower. It was granted to Henry Billingsley in 1588, and Thomas Browne in 1604. In 1645 it was used as an arsenal by Lord Castlehaven's troops in the war with Oliver Cromwell, and then was subsequently used as a military hospital in 1651. The tower was renovated in the 19th century with the addition of larger windows and was used for a time as a blacksmith's forge.

King Johns Castle sits on the banks of the River Shannon on what is known as King's Island, 24 miles from Shannon in the centre of the city of Limerick. The castle is well preserved and has kept a large amount of its original features including a huge gate house and its outer walls with castellated corner towers and battlements. The remains of the 13th century hall can also still be seen. Facilities King Johns Castle is a very popular tourist attraction in Limerick. It offers the possibility to see over 800 years of history in one place. The castle has an exhibition of armoury and something which is especially popular; the medieval garrison and soldiers quarters which can be seen from the courtyard. There are battlement walks and pre-Norman houses along with the opportunity to take home a special coin minted at the castle's own mint. During the construction of the visitor centre workers on the site uncovered the remains of a Viking settlement which is also a very popular part of the castle to visit. The castle is open all year (except Christmas) between 10am and 5pm. The castle was built around 1197 under the orders of King John following the invasion of the Anglo-Normans. It was built on the site of an original Viking settlement believed to date back to 922 AD. In 1642 the castle was occupied by people escaping the confederate wars and was badly damaged in the Siege of Limerick. The confederate leader Garret Barry had no artillery so dug under the foundations of the castle's walls, causing them to collapse. There was also considerable damage caused during the Williamite sieges in the 1690's and so the castle has been repaired and restored on a number of occasions. In 1791 the British Army built military barracks suitable for up to 400 soldiers at the castle and remained there until 1922. In 1935 the Limerick Corporation removed some of the castle walls in order to erect 22 houses in the courtyard. These houses were subsequently demolished in 1989 when the castle was restored and opened to the public.

Fantstown Castle stands in a farmyard about two and a half miles east of Kilmallock. It is a five storey fortified tower house about 56 feet high, and although in ruins, it is in fairly good condition. There are prominent bartizans on both the north western and south eastern corners of the fourth storey. There are fireplaces in the side walls of the third and fourth storeys. The fifth storey has a fireplace in the south western end wall. Fantstown Castle has a Sheela-na-gig about 4m up on the north corner of the castle, facing north east. Fantstown Castle was built in the early 1300s by the Fant family. It may have been built as an extension to an existing stone tower, due to construction of corner stones in the North wall. The castle was restructured in the 1600s, with the top half being replaced, and gun turrets added.

Bourchiers Castle is situated at the neck of a peninsula on Lough Gur near the town of Bruff in County Limerick. Bourchiers Castle is a ruined five storey tower house. It was also known as Castle Doon, and protected the northern approach to Knockadoon on Lough Gur. The southern approach was protected by nearby Black Castle. Facilities There is a visitors' centre beside Lough Gur, with a car park and picnic area. Near the visitors centre, there is a well maintained grassy area leading down to the lake . The lake is used for water sports, but motorised craft are not permitted on the lake. The castle itself is not open to the public. Bourchiers Castle was built in the 16th century. It was named after Sir George Bourchier, the son of the second Earl of Bath. The Earls of Bath held the castle until 1641.

Carrigogunnell Castle is situated near the village of Clarina, on a bank of the River Shannon. The castle is an impressive fortress dominating a natural rocky crag. The castle is in ruins. The keep was a five storey tower structure with a spiral staircase, and the remains are over 50 feet high. There is a prominent circular bastion. The castle building construction was of cut limestone. On the east side is an adjoining house. Along the western side is a range of ruined buildings. The main gate is on the southern side with a smaller entrance to the west. Carrigogunnell Castle was built around 1450. During the Williamite War in Ireland, the castle was occupied by King James II's troops during the second siege of Limerick in 1691. Later in 1691 Lieutenant-General Scravemore acting for Dutch General Godert de Ginckell captured the castle. The castle occupants were taken as prisoners of war, and later in 1691 Carrigogunnell was blown up on de Ginckell's orders.

Adare Manor is one of Ireland's most celebrated Gothic Revival country house hotels, situated on the banks of the River Maigue in the village of Adare, County Limerick. It is widely regarded as one of the finest luxury hotels in the world, having undergone an extensive restoration and reopening in 2017 that returned it to its full Victorian splendour while adding modern amenities. The estate occupies roughly 840 acres of manicured parkland, ancient woodland, and formal gardens, and has hosted some of the most prestigious events in Irish hospitality, including the Ryder Cup in 2027, for which it was selected as the host venue. The combination of breathtaking architecture, immaculate grounds, world-class golf, fine dining, and spa facilities makes it a destination in its own right rather than merely a place to stay. The manor's origins lie with the Quin family, who became Earls of Dunraven and built the house in stages throughout the nineteenth century. Construction began around 1832 under the second Earl of Dunraven, but the most transformative work was carried out under the third Earl, Edwin Wyndham-Quin, who devoted decades of his life and enormous personal fortune to the project. He employed the renowned architect Augustus Pugin and later James Pain to realise his vision of a grand neo-Gothic residence, and the building was not considered substantially complete until after his death. The obsessive care the third Earl brought to the project is embedded in every detail of the structure, from the hand-carved limestone fireplaces to the elaborate tracery of the windows. The Dunraven family eventually found the costs of maintaining such an estate untenable, and it was sold in the 1980s to become a hotel, a transition that has, remarkably, enhanced rather than diminished its grandeur. Physically, Adare Manor is an overwhelming and theatrical building. Its façade is built from warm grey limestone and stretches at considerable length along the riverbank, punctuated by towers, turrets, oriel windows, and elaborate crenellations that give it the appearance of a medieval castle reimagined by a Victorian romantic. The interior is no less astonishing: the great hall features a hammer-beam roof with carved figures, the gallery corridor runs for over a hundred feet and is lined with stained glass and heraldic decoration, and the minstrels' gallery overlooks a dining room of baronial proportions. There is a particular quality of light inside the manor, filtered through leaded and stained glass, that gives the rooms a warm amber glow even on overcast days. The building feels simultaneously ancient and theatrical, as though it were conceived as a stage set for an idealised version of medieval Ireland. The grounds of Adare Manor deserve equal attention. The formal gardens include a sunken Italian garden, a walled kitchen garden, and long herbaceous borders, while the parkland beyond is dotted with mature oaks and bisected by the gently flowing River Maigue. The river walk is one of the estate's quiet pleasures, passing along water meadows where herons stand motionless and where, in season, wildflowers edge the path. The estate also contains ruins of genuine medieval significance, including the remains of a Trinitarian Priory founded in the thirteenth century, which sit within the grounds and are visible from the manor itself. The village of Adare, just beyond the estate gates, is consistently voted among the prettiest villages in Ireland, with its thatched cottages, medieval friary, and carefully maintained main street forming a perfect complement to the grandeur of the manor. For visitors staying at the hotel, the experience is anchored by the 42-room accommodation offering within the original building as well as additional lodges and cottages across the estate, all finished to an exceptionally high standard. The hotel's Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course is considered among the best parkland courses in Europe. For those not staying overnight, visits to the grounds and certain public areas are possible through booking dining or spa experiences. The manor is approximately twenty minutes' drive from Limerick city, which is well connected by rail and road from Dublin, Cork, and Shannon Airport, the latter being particularly convenient at roughly thirty minutes away. Adare village itself is easily reached by bus from Limerick, and from the village the manor is a short walk. The estate is open year-round, though the grandest experience is arguably in the long summer evenings when the limestone glows golden and the gardens are in full bloom, or in winter when log fires and candlelight make the Gothic interior feel genuinely enchanted. One of the more remarkable hidden stories of the manor concerns the extraordinary personal dedication of the third Earl of Dunraven, who reportedly supervised craftsmen on-site for years and would dismiss and rehire workers based on the quality of a single carved stone. The 365 fireplaces said to exist throughout the estate — one for each day of the year — may be apocryphal, but the sheer density of decorative stonework, ornamental plasterwork, and bespoke joinery throughout the building does suggest an almost maniacal attention to craftsmanship. The choice of Adare Manor to host the 2027 Ryder Cup marked the first time the event was held in the Republic of Ireland, a moment of significant national pride and a recognition of the course's standing among European golf venues.

Glenquin Castle is situated in countryside and woodland, 8 miles south of Newcastle West near the village of Killeedy in the west of Ireland. Glenquin Castle is a square, crenellated, six storey limestone tower house built over four floors which has been partly repaired and re-roofed. On the top floor of the castle there are the remains of stilts which were used by archers responsible for the castle's defense and also two barrel vaulted rooms. Facilities Although the castle is under the ownership of the Office of Public works it is not currently open to the public. The Irish name of Glenquin means Glen of Shelter, there is very little written about the history of the castle but it is thought to have been built in 1462 by the O'Hallinan clan on the site of an earlier building dating back to 983AD also belonging to them. The castle was taken in battle many times. One of the major families to take it being the O'Brien's, they were said to have killed all but one of the O'Hallinan's during the battle. In turn it was taken from the O'Brien's during the Desmond wars by the Geraldine's also known as the Fitzgerald's. They were recorded there until 1571 when the English confiscated their lands and the lands of over 100 of their supporters. It is recorded that parts of the castle were demolished by Sir Walter Raleigh and that in 1587 it was in the hands of the Hungerford's. In 1591 the castle was handed over to Sir William Courtenay and in 1595 to Captain Collum. The castles record's then stop until its restoration by the Earl of Devon in 1840. During the uprising in 1916 Glenquin castle was used as West Limerick's rallying point for the troops and it wasn't until the 1980's that further restoration of the castle took place. Glenquin Castle is now under the care of the Office of Public Works as a national monument and they are in the process of repairing and restoring it. The Arts The castle's name has also been given to a racehorse from Croom owned and trained by A J McNamara

Desmond Castle, sometimes called Adare Castle, is situated next to the River Maigue outside the town of Adare in County Cork. There is another castle of the same name in Kinsale, County Cork. Desmond Castle is an interesting ruined castle with distinct inner ward and outer ward. The inner ward has a three storey square tower. The outer ward has two halls on the river side, including the large rectangular Great Hall. Near the Great Hall is the remains of the kitchen and service rooms. The main entrance with drawbridge is on the southern side, and was flanked by two towers. A square tower on the western side gives access to the outer ward. There is a moat that was surrounded by a curtain wall. Facilities A guided tour of Desmond Castle is available at The Heritage Centre in Adare village. Tours operate daily from June to September. The admission price includes the short coach transfer from the Heritage Centre to the Castle. The castle can also be viewed from the bridge over the River Maigue. The Heritage Centre is located in the centre of the picturesque Adare village. The Centre hosts an exhibition portraying the history of Adare from the Norman invasion, through medieval times, to the more recent history. Desmond Castle is believed to have been built by William de Burgo in the 12th century Ownership passed to the Earls of Kildare some time in the middle of the 13th century. It was granted to the Fitzgeralds, Earls of Desmond in 1536. In 1569, James Fitzmaurice FitzGerald led a rebellion against the English who occupied the south of Ireland at this time (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth). The first "Desmond Rebellion" was fought from 1569 to 1573. During the rebellion, the Fitzgeralds lost Desmond Castle to the English after a siege. The castle was later destroyed in 1657 by Parliamentary forces after Oliver Cromwell invaded Ireland. Restoration work commenced in 1996 and has since completed.