Hotels in Limerick

Limerick's King John's Castle has stood on King's Island since around 1200, guarding the Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, on the site of an earlier Viking settlement, and takes its name from the same King John cast as the villain of Robin Hood legend. Thomond Park, home to Munster Rugby since 1938, was voted the best rugby stadium in the world by fans in 2013, and matchdays give the city a genuine buzz.

The castle went through a multi-million euro overhaul in the early 2010s, and its interior now traces the site's Viking and Norman layers through interactive exhibits. Limerick spent decades fighting a rough reputation, and parts of the centre still feel unfinished rather than polished. Stay near the castle and Englishtown for the historic core, or by the river for match-day atmosphere.