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{{short description|City in Ireland}}
{{about|the city|the form of poetry|Limerick (poetry)|other uses|Limerick (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Limerick
| settlement_type = City
| native_name = {{nativename|ga|Luimneach}}
| official_name =
| image_skyline = Limerickcitycollage3.jpg
| image_caption = From top, left to right: [[People's Park, Limerick|People's Park]], [[St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St. Mary's Cathedral]], [[Riverpoint]], [[Daniel O'Connell]] Monument, Georgian architecture at [[Pery Square]], [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]]
| image_flag
| image_shield = IRL COA Limerick.svg
| nickname = ''The Treaty City'', ''Shannonside''
| motto = {{langx|la|Urbs Antiqua Fuit<br /> Studiisque Asperrima Belli}}<br />"There was an ancient city<br /> very fierce in the skills of war"<ref>{{cite web |title=About Limerick |url=http://www.limerick.com/about |url-status=dead |publisher=Limerick.com |access-date=30 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425060336/http://www.limerick.com/about |archive-date=25 April 2014}}</ref>
| mapsize = 230px
| pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|52.6653|-8.6238|dim:12500_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name = Ireland
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Munster]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of Ireland|Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern]] [[Mid-West Region, Ireland|(Mid-West)]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[County Limerick|Limerick]]
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 812 [[Anno Domini|AD]]
| established_title2 = City Rights
| established_date2 = 1197 [[Anno Domini|AD]]
| leader_title = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local Authority]]
| leader_name = [[Limerick City and County Council]]
| leader_title1 = [[Mayor of Limerick|Mayor]]
| leader_name1 = [[John Moran (Mayor of Limerick)|John Moran]] ([[Independent politician (Ireland)|Ind]])<ref name=Limerick.ie>{{cite web |url=https://www.limerick.ie/council/newsroom/news/an-amazing-journey-john-moran-is-honoured-to-be-elected-mayor-of-limerick-in |title="An Amazing Journey": John Moran is 'Honoured' to be Elected Mayor of Limerick in Historic Poll|publisher=[[Limerick City and County Council]] |year=2024 |access-date=14 June 2024 }}</ref>
| leader_title2 = [[Local electoral area|Local Electoral Areas]]
| leader_name2 = {{bulleted list|Limerick City East|Limerick City North|Limerick City West}}
| leader_title3 = [[Dáil constituency]]
| leader_name3 = [[Limerick City (Dáil constituency)|Limerick City]]
| leader_title4 = [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|European Parliament]]
| leader_name4 = [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]]
| area_footnotes = <ref name=cso2022>{{cite web |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1013 |title=Census 2022 Profile 1 - Population Distribution and Movement |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] |year=2022 |access-date=30 June 2023 }}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 61.3
| elevation_m = 10
| population_as_of = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_total = 102,287<ref name=cso2022/>
| population_blank1_title = [[Metropolitan area|Metro]]
| population_blank1 = 162,413<ref name="Eurostat">{{cite web |title=Population on 1 January by age groups and sex – functional urban areas – Eurostat Data Explorer |url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en |url-status=live |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |year=2011 |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220100106/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=urb_lpop1&lang=en |archive-date=20 December 2020}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 1,669
| population_rank = [[List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland|3rd]]
| population_demonyms = Limerickman, Shannonsider, <br />Treatyman
| timezone = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset = 0
| timezone_DST = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +1
| postal_code_type = [[Eircode]] Routing Key
| postal_code = V94
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone Area Code]]
| area_code = 061(+353 61)
| blank_name = [[Vehicle registration plates of Ireland|Vehicle Index<br />Mark Code]]
| blank_info = L
| website = {{official website}}
}}
[[File:Map of limerick.png|thumb|Map of Limerick]]
'''Limerick''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɪ|m|ər|ɪ|k|audio=En-us-Limerick.oga}} {{respell|LIM|ər|ik}};<ref>{{cite Merriam-Webster|Limerick}}</ref> {{langx|ga|Luimneach}} {{IPA|ga|ˈl̪ˠɪmʲ(ə)nʲəx|}}) is a city in western Ireland, in [[County Limerick]]. It is in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Munster]] and is in the [[Mid-West Region, Ireland|Mid-West]] which comprises part of the [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern Region]]. With a population of 102,287 at the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]],<ref name=cso2022/> Limerick is the [[List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland|third-most populous]] urban area in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], and the [[List of settlements on the island of Ireland by population|fourth-most populous]] city on the island of [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geonames.org/IE/largest-cities-in-ireland.html|title=Biggest Cities Ireland|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731074956/http://www.geonames.org/IE/largest-cities-in-ireland.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thejournal.ie/census-2011-reveals-irelands-fastest-growing-towns-and-counties-430278-Apr2012/ Census 2011 reveals Ireland's fastest-growing towns and counties] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018111739/https://www.thejournal.ie/census-2011-reveals-irelands-fastest-growing-towns-and-counties-430278-Apr2012/ |date=18 October 2020}}, [[TheJournal.ie]], 26 April 2012, accessed 4 December 2020</ref><ref>[http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2015/general/9915.pdf Key Statistics for settlements, Census 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403212608/http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/documents/raise/publications/2015/general/9915.pdf |date=3 April 2017}}, Northern Ireland Assembly, 5 October 2015, accessed 4 December 2020</ref> It was founded by Scandinavian settlers in 812, during the [[Viking Age]].
The city straddles the [[River Shannon]], with the historic core of the city located on [[King's Island, Limerick|King's Island]], which is bounded by the Shannon and [[Abbey River, Limerick|Abbey]] Rivers. Limerick is at the head of the [[Shannon Estuary]], where the river widens before it flows into the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. [[Limerick City and County Council]] is the [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|local authority]] for the city.
==Geography and metropolitan area==
Limerick is located on the River Shannon with four main river-crossing points near the city centre. To the south of the city is the [[Golden Vale]], an area of rich [[pastureland]]. Historically, much of the city's industry was based on this agricultural hinterland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Limerick {{!}} History, Geography & Points of Interest {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Limerick-county-Ireland |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
On 1 June 2014, following the amalgamation of the separate local government areas of the county of Limerick and the local government area of the city of Limerick to form Limerick City and County, a new Metropolitan District of Limerick was formed within the united council, which extended the city area. The Metropolitan District includes the city urban area and extends outwards towards [[Patrickswell]] in the west and [[Castleconnell]] in the east.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area (Table 5: Population of towns ordered by county and size, 2006 and 2011)|url=http://cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011vol1andprofile1/Table%205.pdf|website=cso.ie|publisher=Government of the Republic of Ireland|access-date=5 July 2015|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112194519/http://cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011vol1andprofile1/Table%205.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The City Metropolitan Area however excludes city suburbs located within [[County Clare]]. At the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]], the Metropolitan District of Limerick had a population of 104,952.<ref name="Municipal District Limerick">{{cite web|title=Census 2016 Municipal District Limerick|url=http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=MD2014&Geog_Code=C87338E0-A7B9-4305-B7F2-FC23410FEFE2|access-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005050929/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=MD2014&Geog_Code=C87338E0-A7B9-4305-B7F2-FC23410FEFE2|archive-date=5 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==History==
{{main|History of Limerick}}
[[File:Limerick-King-Johns-Castle-2012.JPG|thumb|left|[[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]] on the [[River Shannon]]]]
===Ancient and medieval history===
{{lang|ga|Luimneach}} originally referred to the general area along the banks of the [[Shannon Estuary]] known as {{lang|ga|Loch Luimnigh}}. The earliest settlement, {{lang|ga|Inis Sibhtonn}}, was the original name for King's Island during the pre-Viking and Viking eras. This island was also called {{lang|ga|Inis an Ghaill Duibh}}, 'The Dark Foreigner's Island'. The name is recorded in [[Viking]] sources as {{lang|non|Hlymrekr}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Alex |date=2014 |title=The Vikings in Munster |url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/csva/documents/lmfpublications/lmf3-munster%2Cthevikingsinmunster.pdf |website= |___location= |publisher= |access-date=17 July 2025}}</ref>
The settlement dates from 812; however, history suggests the presence of earlier settlements in the area surrounding King's Island, the island at the historical city centre. Antiquity's map-maker, [[Ptolemy]], produced in 150 AD the earliest map of Ireland, showing a place called {{lang|la|Regia}} at the same site as King's Island. History also records an important battle involving [[Cormac mac Airt]] in 221 and a visit by [[Saint Patrick]] in 434 to baptise a [[Dál gCais]] king, Carthann Finn. [[Saint Munchin]], the first bishop of Limerick died in 652, indicating the settlement was a place of some note then. In 812 the Vikings sailed up the Shannon and pillaged the settlement, burned [[Mungret Abbey]] but were forced to flee when the Irish attacked and killed many of their number.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0YY2AAAAMAAJ|title=The History of Limerick|author=John Ferrar|publisher=A. Watson & Company|year=1787|page=4|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626061528/https://books.google.com/books?id=0YY2AAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> The Normans redesigned the city in the 12th century and added much of the most notable architecture, such as [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]] and [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St Mary's Cathedral]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hodkinson|first=Brian|year=2002|title=The Topography of Pre-Norman Limerick|journal=North Munster Antiquarian Journal|volume=42|pages=1–6}}</ref>
In early medieval times Limerick was at the centre of the [[Kingdom of Thomond]] which corresponds to the present day County Clare, the Kingdom also included North [[County Kerry|Kerry]] and parts of South [[County Offaly|Offaly]]. One of the kingdom's most notable kings was [[Brian Boru]], ancestor of the O'Brien Clan of [[Dalcassians]]. The word Thomond is synonymous with the region and is retained in place names such as [[Thomondgate]], [[Thomond Bridge]] and [[Thomond Park]].
===Late Renaissance/Early modern history===
[[File:DV405 no.235 Limerick.png|thumb|Limerick, painted in 1830]]
[[File:George Street, Limerick (5691906290).jpg|thumb|Cannock's Department Store on O'Connell Street in the early 20th Century]]
Limerick in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was sometimes called the most beautiful city in Ireland.{{Attribution needed|date=September 2019}} The English-born judge [[Luke Gernon]], a resident of Limerick, wrote in 1620 that at his first sight of the city he had been taken by its "lofty buildings of marble, like the Colleges in [[Oxford]]".<ref>Gernon, Luke ''A Discourse of Ireland'' 1620 edited by C.L. Falkiner 1904</ref>
During the civil wars of the 17th century the city played a pivotal role, besieged by [[Oliver Cromwell]] in 1651 and twice by [[William III of England|the Williamites]] in the 1690s. The [[Treaty of Limerick]] ended the [[Williamite war in Ireland]] which was fought between supporters of the Catholic [[King James II]] (Jacobites) and the Protestant [[William III of England|King William of Orange]] (Williamites). The treaty offered toleration to Catholicism and full legal rights to Catholics that swore an oath of loyalty to [[William III of England|William III]] and [[Mary II of England|Mary II]]. The Treaty was of national significance as it ensured closer British and Protestant dominance over Ireland. The articles of the Treaty protecting Catholic rights were not passed by the Protestant [[Parliament of Ireland|Irish Parliament]] which rather updated the [[Penal Laws against Irish Catholics|Penal Laws]] against Catholics which had major implications for [[History of Ireland|Irish history]]. Reputedly the Treaty was signed on the Treaty Stone, an irregular block of limestone which once served as a mounting block for horses. This stone is now displayed on a pedestal at Clancy Strand. Because of the treaty, Limerick is sometimes known as the Treaty City. This turbulent period earned the city its motto: {{lang|la|urbs antiqua fuit studisque asperrima belli}} (an ancient city well studied in the arts of war).
The peaceful times that followed the turmoil of the late 17th century allowed the city to prosper through trade in the late 18th century. During this time Limerick Port established itself as one of Ireland's major commercial ports exporting agricultural produce from one of Ireland's most fertile areas, the [[Golden Vale]], to Britain and America.<ref name="libraryireland.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/L/Limerick-Port.php|title=Limerick Port|publisher=libraryireland.com|access-date=21 September 2013|archive-date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925151832/http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/L/Limerick-Port.php|url-status=live}}</ref> This increase in trade and wealth, particularly amongst the city's merchant classes saw a rapid expansion of the city as [[Newtown Pery, Limerick|Georgian Limerick]] began to take shape. This gave the city its present-day look, including the extensive terraced streets of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] townhouses which remain in the city centre today. The [[Waterford and Limerick Railway]] linked the city to the [[Dublin–Cork railway line]] in 1848 and to [[Waterford]] in 1853. The opening of a number of secondary railways in the subsequent decades developed Limerick as a regional centre of communications. However, the economic downturn in the European conflicts of the [[French Revolution]] and Napoleonic eras, and following the [[Act of Union 1800]], and the impact of the [[Great Irish Famine]] of 1848 caused much of the 19th century to be a more troubled period.
===20th-century history===
[[File:Limerick arms.jpg|thumb|City arms on a [[manhole cover]]]]
The [[Limerick boycott]] was an economic boycott waged against the small Jewish community for over two years in the first decade of the 20th century. It was accompanied by a number of assaults, stone-throwing and intimidation, which caused many Jews to leave the city. It was instigated in 1904 by a Redemptorist priest, Father [[John Creagh]].
During the [[Irish War of Independence]], the [[Limerick Soviet]] was a self-declared soviet that existed from 15 to 27 April 1919. A general strike was organised by the Limerick Trades and Labour Council, as a protest against the [[British Army]]'s declaration of a "Special Military Area" under the Defence of the Realm Act, which covered most of Limerick city and a part of the county. During the strike a special strike committee was set up to print their own money, control [[food prices]] and publish newspapers.
By the mid-20th century, Limerick was characterised by economic stagnation and decline as many traditional industries closed or left the city. However, there were some success stories. In 1942 [[Shannon Airport]] (located in County Clare, 20 km west of the city) opened for the first time offering transatlantic flights. In 1959, Shannon Airport enabled the opening of the [[Shannon Free Zone]] which attracted a large number of multinational companies to the region. A long campaign for a third-level educational institute to be located in the city finally bore fruit with the establishment of [[National Institute for Higher Education|NIHE Limerick]] in 1969 which eventually became the [[University of Limerick]] in 1989.
==Demographics==
{{see also|List of people from County Limerick}}
{{Historical populations
|state=collapsed
|1659|3105
|1821|59045
|1831|66554
|1841|48391
|1851|48785
|1861|43924
|1871|39353
|1881|38562
|1891|37155
|1901|38151
|1911|38518
|1926|39448
|1936|41061
|1946|42970
|1951|50820
|1956|51666
|1961|51732
|1966|58082
|1971|57161
|1979|60665
|1981|60736
|1986|56279
|1991|52083
|1996|52039
|2002|54023
|2006|59790
|2011|56779
|2016|94192
|2022|102287
||footnote=<ref>For 1653 and 1659 figures from Civil Survey Census of those years, Paper of Mr Hardinge to Royal Irish Academy 14 March 1865.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/census |title=Census for post 1821 figures |publisher=Cso.ie |access-date=12 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309005718/http://www.cso.ie/census/ |archive-date=9 March 2005 }}</ref>{{Where|date=July 2011}}{{Specify|date=May 2011}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.histpop.org |title=Histpop.org |publisher=Histpop.org |date=2 April 2007 |access-date=12 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date=7 May 2016 }}</ref>{{Where|date=July 2011}}{{Specify|date=May 2011}}<ref>{{cite web|author=NISRA |url=http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |title=Nisra.gov.uk |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=12 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}</ref>{{Where|date=July 2011}}{{Specify|date=May 2011}}<ref>{{cite book
|last=Lee
|first=JJ
|editor-last=Goldstrom
|editor-first=J. M.
|editor2-last=Clarkson
|editor2-first=L. A.
|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
|year=1981
|publisher=Clarendon Press
|___location=Oxford, England
|chapter=On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| last1 = Mokyr
| first1 = Joel
| author-link = Joel Mokyr
| last2 = O Grada
| first2 = Cormac
| title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850
| journal = The Economic History Review
| volume = 37
| issue = 4
| pages = 473–488
| date = November 1984
| url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 4 December 2012
| doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x
| hdl = 10197/1406
| hdl-access= free
}}</ref>{{Where|date=July 2011}}{{Specify|date=May 2011}}{{Failed verification|date=May 2011}}<!--There's nothing on p. 473, the only accessible page to the public, so that by itself is an incorrect page number. What are the correct page numbers?-->
}}
Limerick is the third-largest city in the Republic of Ireland (after [[Dublin]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]]), with a population of 102,287 in the urban area<ref name=cso2022/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Data Visualisations {{!}} CSO Ireland |url=https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=fe12eecc-1fac-4b44-9c3d-54e9d080f92e&theme=1 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=visual.cso.ie}}</ref> and 104,952 in the metropolitan district, according to the 2016 [[Central Statistics Office of Ireland|CSO]] census.<ref name="Municipal District Limerick"/> the [[2011 census of Ireland|2011 census]] had reported a large population decline in central city areas due in part to the Limerick regeneration process where in these areas the largest reduction was reported nationally and also to outward migration following the collapse of the local and national economy from 2008 onwards.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0630/census.html | publisher=RTÉ News | title=Census reveals Irish population now over 4.58m | date=30 June 2011 | access-date=6 May 2012 | archive-date=10 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510005617/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0630/census.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The population of the Limerick [[Larger Urban Zone]] as defined by the EU is 162,413.<ref name="Eurostat"/>{{Update inline|reason=Figure is from 2011 and was estimated|date=February 2020}} The ethnic diversity in Limerick's population, which includes a large immigrant community, saw rapid growth during the [[Celtic Tiger]] and the following decade.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} As of the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] the Polish community was one of the largest demographic groups in the Municipal District, with approximately 4,000 living and working in the area.<ref name="Municipal District Limerick"/> In late 2006, it was proposed that Ireland's first Polish bank could open in the area during 2007.<ref name="Polishbank">[http://breakingnews.ie/2006/12/07/story288413.html Limerick may get Polish bank] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165012/http://breakingnews.ie/2006/12/07/story288413.html |date=30 September 2007}} – breakingnews.ie 7 December 2006</ref>
Limerick has a large stock of [[Public housing|local authority]] housing. Before the amalgamation of Limerick City and County Council, 41% of all housing within the old Limerick City Council boundary was [[Public housing|local authority]], which was the highest in Ireland. This figure is however no longer accurate given the larger metropolitan district of the city.<ref name="limerickleader.ie">{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=David |url=http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/limerick-estates-are-unemployment-blackspots-1-4010085 |title=Limerick estates are unemployment blackspots |publisher=[[Limerick Leader]] |date=2 July 2012 |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704192626/http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/limerick-estates-are-unemployment-blackspots-1-4010085 |archive-date=4 July 2013 }}</ref>
As of the 2022 census, the ethnic makeup of the city was 76.53% [[White people|white]] total, including 67.47% white Irish and 8.53% other white people, 13.52% not stated, 5.48% Asian, 2.31% other and 2.14% [[Black people in Ireland|black]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Data Visualisations {{!}} CSO Ireland |url=https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=fe12eecc-1fac-4b44-9c3d-54e9d080f92e |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=visual.cso.ie}}</ref> The city's religious makeup in 2022 was 61.31% [[Irish Catholics|Catholic]], 14.11% no religion, 13.91% not stated, and 10.66% other religions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Data Visualisations {{!}} CSO Ireland |url=https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=fe12eecc-1fac-4b44-9c3d-54e9d080f92e&theme=1 |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=visual.cso.ie}}</ref>
==Government and politics==
[[File:OConnell.JPG|thumb|left|[[O'Connell Street, Limerick]]]]
===Local government===
Limerick city is under the jurisdiction of [[Limerick City and County Council]], which is based at [[City Hall, Limerick]]. The council has responsibility for local services such as sanitation, planning and development, libraries, collection of motor taxation, local roads and social housing in the city. The council comprises elected [[councillors]] with an appointed full-time CEO as the city (and county) manager. Local elections are held every five years and the councillors annually elect a Cathaoirleach or chairperson to chair the council. The 21 councillors from the 3 [[local electoral area]]s in the City Metropolitan Area also elect a mayor to represent the city. The Mayoral position is largely ceremonial and has much reduced responsibility following the merger of the Limerick local authorities. As of mid-2021, the mayor was Councillor Daniel Butler.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |title=Fine Gael's Daniel Butler unanimously elected as new Mayor of City and County of Limerick |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2021/06/30/fine-gaels-daniel-butler-unanimously-elected-as-new-mayor-of-city-and-county-of-limerick/ |work=limerickpost.ie |date=30 June 2021 |access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref> Former well-known mayors include TDs [[Donogh O'Malley]], [[Stephen Coughlan]], [[Michael Lipper]], [[Jim Kemmy]] and [[Jan O'Sullivan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=List of the Mayors and Sheriffs of Limerick City – 1197–present |url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/asset?id=6610 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313092543/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/asset?id=6610 |archive-date=13 March 2007}}</ref>
Throughout most of the city's history, from 1197 when it gained its first charter, Limerick City had its own local government authority, Limerick Corporation later known as [[Limerick City Council]]. The council was one of the oldest in Ireland and was only exceeded in age by [[Dublin City Council]]. In October 2012 the Government of Ireland published ''Putting People First- Action Programme for Effective Local Government'' which set out government policy for reforms across all the main areas of local government in Ireland. Among the recommendations was the merging of Limerick City Council with [[Limerick County Council]]. The changes came into effect on 1 June 2014 following the implementation of the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Local authorities |url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/local_and_regional_government/local_authorities.html |url-status=dead |work=citizensinformation.ie |access-date=31 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606045428/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/local_and_regional_government/local_authorities.html |archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref>
By the 1960s onwards the city had outgrown its boundary considerably; the city boundary was only altered slightly and never reflected the overall urban area of the city. A limited boundary extension on the city's north side in 2008 enlarged the city boundary by 1,020 hectares increasing the city's area by almost 50% and raising the population by an estimated 7,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.limerickcitydb.ie/CDBInfo/Strategy/documents/Strat%20for%20Eco%20Irish.pdf |title=Limerick City Development Board – Strategy for Economic and Social Development |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118205144/http://www.limerickcitydb.ie/CDBInfo/Strategy/documents/Strat%20for%20Eco%20Irish.pdf |archive-date=18 November 2007}}</ref> The previous boundary, encompassing 2,086 hectares, was delineated in 1950. Newer suburban districts such as [[Dooradoyle]], [[Castletroy]] – including the [[University of Limerick|University]], Gouldavoher, and [[Raheen, County Limerick|Raheen]] were continually administered to by Limerick County Council until the merger of the two authorities in June 2014. This local government structure in Limerick caused a number of inefficiencies, most notably in the area of planning. A number of suburbs such as Westbury and [[Parteen]] to the north of the city are governed by [[Clare County Council]].
Following the merger of the two authorities in 2014, a new Metropolitan District of Limerick City was set up that included the city urban area and also settlements close to the city such as [[Patrickswell]] and [[Castleconnell]]. The Metropolitan district returns 21 councillors to Limerick City and County Council which in total has 40 councillors returned from across Limerick City and County.<ref name="irishstatutebook.ie">{{cite web |title=Statutory Instruments S.I. No. 56 of 2014 City and County of Limerick Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2014 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0056.pdf |access-date=1 June 2014 |archive-date=9 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509060411/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2014/en.si.2014.0056.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The Limerick City Metropolitan District is divided into 3 local electoral areas: Limerick City East, Limerick City North and Limerick City South which elect eight, six and seven councillors respectively.<ref name="irishstatutebook.ie"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.limerickcity.ie/YourCouncil/ElectedMembers/Elections23rdMay2014/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625124440/http://www.limerickcity.ie/YourCouncil/ElectedMembers/Elections23rdMay2014/ |archive-date=25 June 2014 |title=Elections 23rd May 2014 |publisher=Limerick City Council |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>
Following the [[2024 Irish local elections|2024 local elections]], [[Fine Gael]] is the largest party on the authority with 13 seats followed by [[Fianna Fáil]] with 10, [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] and [[Sinn Féin]] with 3 each, and [[Independent Ireland]] and the [[Social Democrats (Ireland)|Social Democrats]] with 2 each, and [[Aontú]] and the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] with 1 seat each, and [[Independent politician (Ireland)|independents]] and other parties the remaining 5 seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/limerick-city-and-county-council-first-muslim-councillor-elected-1.3890457 |title=Limerick City and County Council: First Muslim councillor elected |publisher=The Irish Times |date=25 May 2019 |access-date=22 September 2019 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028045032/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/limerick-city-and-county-council-first-muslim-councillor-elected-1.3890457 |url-status=live}}</ref>
===
For elections to the [[Dáil]], Limerick City is in the [[Limerick City (Dáil constituency)|Limerick City]] constituency. From 2011, the constituency boundaries changed in accordance with the proposals of the [[Constituency Commission]] and the subsequent [[Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009]]. This changed the electoral boundaries from [[Limerick East]] and [[Limerick West]] to [[Limerick City (Dáil constituency)|Limerick City]] and [[Limerick (Dáil constituency)|Limerick]]. Limerick city encompasses the city, the suburban areas of [[Castletroy]] and as far east as [[Murroe]]. It also includes part of North [[County Tipperary]]. The [[Limerick (Dáil constituency)|Limerick]] county constituency takes in most of the rest of the county. For [[European Parliament]] elections, Limerick is in the [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] constituency.
==Climate==
Limerick's climate is classified as [[Oceanic climate|temperate oceanic]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfb''). Met Éireann maintains a climatological weather observation station at [[Shannon Airport]], 21 kilometres west-northwest of the city in [[County Clare]]. Shannon Airport records an average of 977 millimetres of precipitation annually, most of which is rain. Limerick has a mild climate, with an average daily maximum in July of {{convert|20|°C|°F}} and an average daily minimum in January of {{convert|3|°C|°F}}. The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|32.0|°C|°F}} in June 2018, and the lowest {{convert|-11.4|°C|°F}} in 2010. Limerick is the cloudiest city in the country, averaging only 1,295 sunshine hours annually, 3.5 hours of sunshine every day. There are on average 62 days of no recordable sunshine, 6 days of thunder, 22 days of hail, 32 days of fog and 11 days of snow per year. Shannon Airport is situated on the Shannon Estuary at an elevation of 14 metres.
{{Weather box <!--Infobox begins-->
| collapsed = <!--Any entry in this line will make the template initially collapsed. Leave blank or remove this line for uncollapsed.-->
| open = <!--Any entry in this line will make the template permanently open, and remove the hide button. Remove this line for a collapsable table.-->
| metric first = Yes<!--Any entry in this line will display metric first. Leave blank or remove this line for imperial first.-->
| single line = Yes<!--Any entry in this line will display metric and imperial units in the same cell. Leave blank or remove this line for separate table rows.-->
| ___location = [[Shannon Airport]] [[Weather station|Weather Observing Station]] (1981 to 2010)
| Jan record high C = 14.8
| Feb record high C = 15.5
| Mar record high C = 20.2
| Apr record high C = 23.5
| May record high C = 28.0
| Jun record high C = 32.1
| Jul record high C = 30.6
| Aug record high C = 29.8
| Sep record high C = 26.1
| Oct record high C = 22.3
| Nov record high C = 18.2
| Dec record high C = 15.3
| year record high C = 31.6
| Jan high C = 8.8
| Feb high C = 9.2
| Mar high C = 11.1
| Apr high C = 13.3
| May high C = 16.0
| Jun high C = 18.5
| Jul high C = 19.8
| Aug high C = 19.6
| Sep high C = 17.7
| Oct high C = 14.3
| Nov high C = 11.1
| Dec high C = 9.0
| year high C = 14.0
| Jan mean C = 6.0
| Feb mean C = 6.2
| Mar mean C = 7.8
| Apr mean C = 9.5
| May mean C = 12.1
| Jun mean C = 14.6
| Jul mean C = 16.4
| Aug mean C = 16.2
| Sep mean C = 14.2
| Oct mean C = 11.2
| Nov mean C = 8.3
| Dec mean C = 6.3
| year mean C = 10.7
| Jan low C = 3.2
| Feb low C = 3.2
| Mar low C = 4.5
| Apr low C = 5.7
| May low C = 8.2
| Jun low C = 11.0
| Jul low C = 13.0
| Aug low C = 12.7
| Sep low C = 10.8
| Oct low C = 8.2
| Nov low C = 5.5
| Dec low C = 3.6
| year low C = 7.4
| Jan record low C = -11.2
| Feb record low C = -9.8
| Mar record low C = -7.8
| Apr record low C = -4.1
| May record low C = -0.9
| Jun record low C = 1.5
| Jul record low C = 6.0
| Aug record low C = 2.9
| Sep record low C = 1.3
| Oct record low C = -2.0
| Nov record low C = -6.6
| Dec record low C = -11.4
| year record low C = -11.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 102.3
| Feb precipitation mm = 76.2
| Mar precipitation mm = 78.7
| Apr precipitation mm = 59.2
| May precipitation mm = 64.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 69.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 65.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 82.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 75.6
| Oct precipitation mm = 104.9
| Nov precipitation mm = 94.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 104.0
<!-- Average daily % humidity -->
<!-- If entering the average daily % humidity, then the humidex table should be used. -->| humidity colour = <!-- Enter "green" for green humidity colors, "pastel" for pastel humidity colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue coloring. Affects afternoon % humidity as well -->
| time day = <!-- The time of day the humidity was measured at. Affects afternoon % humidity as well -->
| daily = <!-- Enter "Y" if the humidity is for the entire day. Affects afternoon % humidity as well -->
| Jan humidity = 88
| Feb humidity = 87
| Mar humidity = 85
| Apr humidity = 81
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 79
| Jul humidity = 81
| Aug humidity = 83
| Sep humidity = 85
| Oct humidity = 88
| Nov humidity = 88
| Dec humidity = 89
<!-- Average afternoon % humidity -->
<!-- If entering the average afternoon % humidity, then the average daily % humidity table should be used. -->| Jan afthumidity = 82
| Feb afthumidity = 75
| Mar afthumidity = 70
| Apr afthumidity = 65
| May afthumidity = 64
| Jun afthumidity = 67
| Jul afthumidity = 68
| Aug afthumidity = 69
| Sep afthumidity = 71
| Oct afthumidity = 77
| Nov afthumidity = 81
| Dec afthumidity = 84
| Jan precipitation days = 20
| Feb precipitation days = 16
| Mar precipitation days = 19
| Apr precipitation days = 16
| May precipitation days = 17
| Jun precipitation days = 16
| Jul precipitation days = 15
| Aug precipitation days = 18
| Sep precipitation days = 18
| Oct precipitation days = 20
| Nov precipitation days = 19
| Dec precipitation days = 20
| unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
| Jan snow days = 3.4
| Feb snow days = 3.2
| Mar snow days = 1.8
| Apr snow days = 0.6
| May snow days = 0.1
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 0.3
| Dec snow days = 1.5
| Jan dew point C = 4
| Feb dew point C = 4
| Mar dew point C = 5
| Apr dew point C = 5
| May dew point C = 8
| Jun dew point C = 10
| Jul dew point C = 12
| Aug dew point C = 12
| Sep dew point C = 11
| Oct dew point C = 9
| Nov dew point C = 6
| Dec dew point C = 5
| Jan sun = 49.6
| Feb sun = 65.6
| Mar sun = 100.0
| Apr sun = 153.1
| May sun = 180.0
| Jun sun = 156.0
| Jul sun = 140.5
| Aug sun = 140.1
| Sep sun = 117.0
| Oct sun = 89.9
| Nov sun = 60.0
| Dec sun = 43.4
| Jand sun = 1.6
| Febd sun = 2.3
| Mard sun = 3.2
| Aprd sun = 5.1
| Mayd sun = 5.8
| Jund sun = 5.2
| Juld sun = 4.5
| Augd sun = 4.5
| Sepd sun = 3.9
| Octd sun = 2.9
| Novd sun = 2.0
| Decd sun = 1.4
| source = Met Éireann<ref name="LK climate data">From [http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/shannon.html met.ie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708024535/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/shannon.html |date=8 July 2012 }} ([[Met Éireann]]); see {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/shannonairport.asp|title=Shannon Airport (Weather Observing Stations)|access-date=14 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229071205/http://www.met.ie/climate/shannonairport.asp|archive-date=29 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| date = July 2012
}} <!--Infobox ends-->
==Culture==
[[File:Hunt Museum Limerick.jpg|thumb|[[Hunt Museum]]]]
[[File:Belltable.jpg|thumb|[[Belltable|The Belltable Theatre]]]]
In 2014, Limerick became Ireland's inaugural ''National City of Culture'', with a variety of artistic and cultural events occurring at locations around the city throughout the year.
===Art===
The [[Limerick City Gallery of Art]] on [[Pery Square]] is the city's chief venue for [[contemporary art]] exhibitions. It is home to a permanent collection of [[Irish art]], which shows works from the early 18th to 20th century. The gallery houses the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing founded by the artist Samuel Walsh in 1987. Limerick's major contemporary art event is [[EVA International]], Ireland's Biennial of Contemporary Art.<ref>[http://www.eva.ie/ EVA International (Exhibition of Visual Art)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050930225723/http://www.eva.ie/ |date=30 September 2005 }}, Ireland.</ref> EVA International, centered mainly in the Limerick City Gallery of Art, is curated by varying guest curators and includes contemporary artworks by both international and Irish artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eva.ie/about-eva/about/|title=About|publisher=[[EVA International]]|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814220850/https://www.eva.ie/about-eva/about/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Other Limerick arts groups include Contact Studios, which provides individual studio spaces for visual artists; [[Ormston House]], a meeting place for the arts; and Limerick Printmakers Studio and Gallery, which provides printmaking facilities, a venue for exhibitions and events and an education programme.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
===Theatre===
The Lime Tree Theatre officially opened at the [[Mary Immaculate College]] campus in October 2012. The venue hosts theatre, music, comedy, traditional arts, schools' performances, and conferences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.limetreetheatre.ie|title=Lime Tree Theatre – Limericks Premier Live Venue|work=Lime Tree Theatre|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721113255/https://limetreetheatre.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Belltable]] on [[O'Connell Street, Limerick|O'Connell Street]] hosts local playwrights and drama productions.<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0226/369725-limerick-belltable-liquidation/ Belltable Arts Centre goes into liquidation – RTÉ News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194053/http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0226/369725-limerick-belltable-liquidation/ |date=2 January 2014}}. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 23 July 2013.</ref> The University Concert Hall located in the [[University of Limerick]] is a 1,000 seat venue and provides a large venue for national and international acts to visit the city. Limerick is also the home of street theatre companies, including "The Umbrella Project".{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}
There is also the Impact Theatre Company,<ref>{{cite web |last=Woulfe |first=Jimmy |date=19 February 2008 |title=High drama with your chips? |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20055567.html |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Irish Examiner}}</ref> and Bottomdog Theatre Company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bottom Dog Theatre Company – Companies – Irish Theatre |url=https://www.irishtheatre.ie/company-page.aspx?companyid=30387 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=www.irishtheatre.ie}}</ref>
===Literature===
Limerick's literature scene is supported by projects like the Limerick Writers' Centre, which was established in 2008 and runs a range of writing activities in the city. Limerick natives include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, and novelists Kate O'Brien, Michael Curtin, Kevin Barry and Donal Ryan. Poets from Limerick include Michael Hogan, Desmond O'Grady, and John Liddy.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Few Words About Us |url=https://limerickwriterscentre.com/about/ |url-status=live |publisher=Limerick Writers' Centre |date=19 December 2018 |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613213257/https://limerickwriterscentre.com/about/ |archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref>
The city is the setting for [[Frank McCourt (author)|Frank McCourt]]'s memoir ''[[Angela's Ashes]]'' and its [[Angela's Ashes (film)|film adaptation]]. The Frank McCourt Museum situated in McCourt's former school on Hartsonge Street opened in 2011, and contains artefacts from the book.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://frankmccmuseum.wix.com/frankmccourtmuseum#!about-us/c1enr |url-status=live |publisher=The Frank McCourt Museum |year=2013 |access-date=27 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629011448/http://frankmccmuseum.wix.com/frankmccourtmuseum#!about-us/c1enr |archive-date=29 June 2013}}</ref> Limerick has also been the setting or ___location for the dramas ''The Real Thing'' (2002), ''[[Cowboys & Angels]]'' (2003) and ''Lost & Found'' (2015), among other films.<ref>{{cite web |title='The Real Thing' begins Limerick shoot |url=https://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews/635/the_real_thing_begins_limerick_shoot |url-status=live |date=8 November 2002 |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192153/https://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews/635/the_real_thing_begins_limerick_shoot |archive-date=24 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Filmed in Limerick |url=https://film.limerick.ie/shot |url-status=live |publisher=Limerick.ie |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192200/https://film.limerick.ie/shot |archive-date=24 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Irish Film and Television Network – Locations in Ireland – Limerick Location Services – Filmography |url=http://www.iftn.ie/locationsireland/irishlocationsregion/sublinks_static4/limerick/lls/?countytabs=3 |url-status=live |publisher=Irish Film and Television Network |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192220/http://www.iftn.ie/locationsireland/irishlocationsregion/sublinks_static4/limerick/lls/?countytabs=3 |archive-date=24 October 2018}}</ref>
===Music===
The [[Irish Chamber Orchestra]] and the Irish World Music Centre are both based in the [[University of Limerick]]. The university has a thousand-seat state-of-the-art concert hall that hosts visiting performers. The city's music scene has produced bands such as [[The Cranberries]], guitarist [[Noel Hogan]]'s MonoBand, and [[The Hitchers (Irish band)|The Hitchers]]. Electronic musician Richard D. James, more commonly known as [[Aphex Twin]], was born in Limerick in 1971. The Limerick Art Gallery and the Art College cater for painting, sculpture, and performance art.
The [[Limerick International Band Championship]] is an annual competition featuring [[marching bands]] from Limerick, the rest of Ireland, and the rest of the world. It is typically held around just after [[Saint Patrick's Day]], with the bands parading through the city centre, and attracts large crowds.<ref>{{cite news |title=More than 25,000 line Limerick streets for 50th International Band Championship |url=https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/more-than-25000-line-limerick-streets-for-50th-international-band-championship/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |publisher=Live 95 FM |date=20 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Limerick International Band Championship |url=https://www.limerick.ie/stpatricksfestival/limerick-international-band-championship |website=This is Limerick |date=20 March 2022 |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Limerick International Band Championship |url=https://www.musicfestivals.com/events/limerick-international-band-championship/ |website=Gateway |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523021627/https://www.musicfestivals.com/events/limerick-international-band-championship/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Dolan's Warehouse on the Dock Road is a venue specialising in live music, established in 1998.<ref name="dolans"/> Baker Place was a nightclub that held mainly local underground nights until its closure in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2011/03/25/crowds-bid-farewell-to-baker-place/|title=Crowds bid farewell to Baker Place|work=[[The Limerick Post]]|date=25 March 2011|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614000215/https://www.limerickpost.ie/2011/03/25/crowds-bid-farewell-to-baker-place/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, it was announced that the Dromkeen-based Shiloh Trust was seeking planning permission to convert the former premises of Baker Place into a bible school.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/property/520991/former-limericknightclub-set-to-become-a-bible-school.html|title=Former Limerick nightclub set to become a bible school|work=[[The Limerick Leader]]|first=Nick|last=Rabbitts|date=28 February 2020|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919154743/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/property/520991/former-limericknightclub-set-to-become-a-bible-school.html|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
===Other===
* Limerick is also home to comedians [[The Rubberbandits]], D'Unbelievables ([[Pat Shortt]] and [[Jon Kenny]]) and [[Karl Spain]].
* The Crush 87 nightclub (formerly known as Trinity Rooms until its closure in 2010), was relaunched in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2013/06/18/limerick-nightclub-venue-set-to-reopen/|title=Limerick nightclub venue set to reopen|work=[[The Limerick Post]]|date=18 June 2013|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613232759/https://www.limerickpost.ie/2013/06/18/limerick-nightclub-venue-set-to-reopen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/99405/Former-Limerick-nightclub-set-to-reopen.html|title=Former Limerick nightclub set to reopen|work=[[The Limerick Leader]]|first=Mike|last=Dwane|date=1 July 2013|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613232759/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/business-news/99405/Former-Limerick-nightclub-set-to-reopen.html|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
* Riverfest is a summer festival held annually in Limerick since 2004. The 2014 festival was held in May and had a record 80,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Limerick.ie | url=http://www.limerick.ie/riverfest | title=Riverfest 2nd – 5th May 2014 | access-date=8 July 2014 | archive-date=6 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606234657/http://www.limerick.ie/riverfest | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Kathryn | first=Hayes | url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/riverfest-attracts-record-numbers-to-limerick-city-30246212.html | title=Riverfest attracts record numbers to Limerick city | newspaper=Limerick Independent | date=6 May 2014 | access-date=8 July 2014 | archive-date=6 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606220819/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/riverfest-attracts-record-numbers-to-limerick-city-30246212.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
* As with several other towns and cities in Ireland, and some elsewhere, there is an annual [[Saint Patrick's Day]] parade.
* The Daghdha Dance Company is a contemporary dance company that has adopted a renovated church in John's Square, adjacent to [[St. John's Cathedral, Limerick|St John's Cathedral]], as a performance space).
* The [[Fresh Film Festival]], which is held each spring, includes films made by young people (7–18 years).
*The [[Richard Harris International Film Festival]] is held every October.
== Humorous verse ==
A [[Limerick (poetry)|limerick]] is a type of humorous [[poetry|verse]] of five lines with an AABBA [[rhyme scheme]]: the poem's connection with the city is obscure, but the name is generally taken to be a reference to Limerick city or [[County Limerick]],<ref>Loomis 1963, pp. 153–157.</ref> sometimes, particularly to the [[Croom, County Limerick|Maigue Poets]], and may derive from an earlier form of [[nonsense verse]] parlour game that traditionally included a refrain that included "Will [or won't] you come (up) to Limerick?"<ref>The phrase "come to Limerick" is known in American slang since the Civil War, as documented in the ''Historical Dictionary of American Slang'' and posts on the American Dialect Society List. One possible derivation of the phrase, proposed by Stephen Goranson on ADS-list, is the Treaty of Limerick, implying "surrender," "settle," "get to the point".</ref> The earliest known use of the name "Limerick" for this type of poem is an 1880 reference, in a [[Saint John, New Brunswick]], newspaper, to a well-known tune.<ref>reported by Stephen Goranson on the ADS-list and in comments at the Oxford Etymologist blog</ref>
==Media==
===Broadcasting===
[[File:Radio House, Limerick Live 95.jpg|thumb|Live 95FM building in Limerick]]
[[File:Limerick - RTE Lyric FM (Robert Street) (5771337206).jpg|thumb|[[RTÉ lyric fm]] building ]]
[[RTÉ lyric fm]], a state-run classical music radio station and part of [[RTÉ]], broadcasts nationally from studios in the city centre on Cornmarket Square which opened in 1994. Limerick's local radio station is [[Live 95FM]], broadcasting from 'Radio House', near the waterfront at Steamboat Quay. [[Spin South West]], owned by [[Communicorp]], broadcasts to Counties [[County Kerry|Kerry]], [[County Clare|Clare]], [[County Limerick|Limerick]], [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]] and southwest [[County Laois|Laois]] from its studios at Landmark Buildings in the [[Raheen Industrial Estate]]. Student radio station, Wired FM, broadcasts on 99.9FM from [[Mary Immaculate College]]. Wired FM also has studios at Limerick Institute of Technology. Limerick City Community Radio broadcasts on 99.9FM every Saturday and Sunday.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} [[University Hospital Limerick]] has a radio station on 94.2FM, but this can be heard only in the hospital and surrounding area. [[West Limerick 102]] is broadcast from [[Newcastle West]]. The national broadcaster, [[RTÉ]], has radio and television studios in the city, which are periodically used to broadcast programming from Limerick.
===Print===
Several local newspapers are published in the city, including ''[[Limerick Post|The Limerick Post]]'' and ''[[The Limerick Leader]]''
==Places of interest==
{{see also|Architecture of Limerick|List of public art in Limerick}}
[[File:LimerickSunsetPotatoMarket.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Sylvester O'Halloran]] Bridge]]
Limerick city is approximately 25 km from [[Shannon Airport]]. Tourist attractions in the city centre include [[Limerick City Museum]], [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]] (1210), [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St Mary's Cathedral]] (1168), the [[Hunt Museum]], [[The People's Museum of Limerick]], the [[University of Limerick]], Georgian houses and gardens and the [[Treaty of Limerick|Treaty Stone]]. There are several seasonal tours, including [[Angela's Ashes]] walking tour of Limerick City, a historical walking tour, and kayaking tours along the [[River Shannon]].
The city centre is divided between the traditional areas of "English Town" on the southern end of King's Island, which includes King John's Castle; "Irish Town", which includes the older streets on the south bank; and the current economic centre further south, called "[[Newtown Pery, Limerick|Newtown Pery]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://limerickslife.com/street-names-n/|title=Limerick city street names beginning with N|work=Limerick's Life|date=20 April 2012|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514073224/http://limerickslife.com/street-names-n/|url-status=live}}</ref> Newtown Pery was built in the late 18th century before the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]] and, unusually for an Irish city and unique in Limerick, is laid out on a [[grid plan]]. The [[Limerick Museum]] (formerly aka the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum), is located in the Old Franciscan Friary in Henry Street. It contains displays on Limerick's history and manufactures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museum.limerick.ie/ |title=LimerickCity.ie/CityMuseum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626193517/http://museum.limerick.ie/ |archive-date=26 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.limerick.ie/discover/eat-see-do/arts-culture/museums/limerick-museum|title=Limerick Museum|access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref>
[[File:St Johns Cathedral Limerick Ireland.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[St. John's Cathedral, Limerick|St John's Cathedral]]]]
[[File:Limerick-St-Marys-Katedral-2012.JPG|thumb|[[St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St Mary's Cathedral]]]]
The Georgian core of the city, with its [[Georgian architecture]] in the Newtown Pery, was developed from the mid-18th century. This core includes O'Connell Street (George Street before independence) from the Cecil Street intersection running to the southwest end of the Crescent, and southeast to Pery Street including Glentworth Street and Barrington Street. Other buildings of architectural note in the city are [[St. John's Cathedral, Limerick|St John's Cathedral]], designed by the notable Victorian architect, [[Philip Charles Hardwick]]. St Mary's Cathedral, at over 800 years old, is one of the oldest in Ireland. St John's Cathedral is more modern.
The [[Hunt Museum]] is based in the historic 18th-century former Custom House. The museum was established to house a collection of approximately 2000 works of art and antiquities formed by [[John Hunt (antiquarian)|John and Gertrude Hunt]] during their lifetimes.
The main park in Limerick is the [[People's Park (Limerick)|People's Park]] which was opened in 1877 in memory of Richard Russell, a prominent local businessman. The park is dominated by the Thomas Spring Rice memorial (MP for the city 1820–1832) and has a large collection of mature [[deciduous]] and evergreen trees.
Limerick city centre changed significantly with the construction of several modern high-rise buildings in the early 2000s, in particular as part of the regeneration of the former docks area along the Dock Road. The suburban areas, where the majority of the population now live, have grown out from the centre along the main roads to Ennis (North Circular and Ennis Road areas/[[Caherdavin]]), Dublin ([[Castletroy]] and the university) and Cork (Ballinacurra/Dooradoyle/Raheen). Suburban houses are generally two-floor semi-detached homes for single families. These were built from the 1950s onwards in large estates by government projects and commercial developments, although there are many examples of Edwardian and older 1930s suburban homes on the main suburban thoroughfares leading towards the city (North & South Circular, Ballinacurra Road, O'Connell Avenue).
[[File:O'Connell Monument to Daniel O'Connell at O'Connell Avenue, Limerick City.jpg|thumb|left|O'Connell Monument to Daniel O'Connell at The Crescent]]
Limerick city's nightlife is supported by a number of nightclubs and pubs which offer music. For example, Dolan's Warehouse is a small music venue that hosts local, national, and international folk, indie, jazz, rock, and traditional Irish music acts.<ref name="dolans">{{cite web|url=https://www.dolans.ie/about-us|title=Our Story - Beginnings|website=dolans.ie|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613212736/https://www.dolans.ie/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref>
In County Limerick, [[Adare]] village and the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, approximately 35 km (22 miles/30 minutes) from Limerick City along the scenic coastal N69 route from Limerick to Tralee, are also attractions. [[Bunratty Castle]] in County Clare is another local attraction, and is situated 15.4 km north of the city.{{fact|date=December 2023}}
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Limerick}}
[[File:RiverPoint.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Riverpoint]], Limerick's tallest building.]]
Limerick is in the region dubbed "[[Mid-West Region, Ireland|the Midwest]]". Also known as the "Shannon Region", this is primarily an economic and social concept. The region encompasses [[County Limerick]], County Clare, North [[County Tipperary]], Northwest [[County Kerry]] and south [[County Offaly]], with its focal point centred on Limerick and its environs within an {{convert|8|km|mi|0|adj=on}} radius.
The
Historically Limerick was an agricultural commodity-driven economy, due to its position as the first major port along the River Shannon. By the middle of the 18th century, Limerick Port grew to become one of Ireland's principal commercial ports, exporting agricultural produce from the most fertile tracts in Ireland known as the [[Golden Vale]] as well as produce from the surrounding counties.<ref name="libraryireland.com"/> The city was one of the main meat processing areas in Ireland, and industries included confectionery and flour production. The city was known for its bacon industry, including the production of [[Limerick ham]] – however this went into decline in the mid-20th century. The fishing industry in Limerick, based on Clancy's Strand opposite [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]] and at Coonagh nearby, once employed hundreds of men.<ref>Lysaght, W. (1968) "''The Abbey Fisherman''" The Treaty Press Ltd, Limerick.</ref> The boat most commonly used was the [[Gandelow]] which was also used as a small [[Lighter (barge)]] to ferry goods to and from larger ships in the port.<ref>McInerney, Jim (2005) "''The Gandelow: a Shannon Estuary Fishing Boat''" A.K. Ilen Company Ltd, {{ISBN|0-9547915-1-7}}</ref> In the 1920s the construction of a dam at [[Ardnacrusha]] severely impacted salmon breeding and that, and the introduction of quotas, had by the 1950s caused salmon fishing to diminish.<ref>Mac Cárthaigh, Críostóir, Editor (2008) "''Traditional Boats of Ireland''" (http://www.tradboats.ie/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218083718/http://tradboats.ie/ |date=18 December 2014 }} Traditional Boats of Ireland consortium) The Collins Press, Cork, {{ISBN|9781905172399}}</ref> By 2006, most fishermen had relinquished their drift net licences and the industry can now be said to be dormant.<ref>''Clare Traditional Boat and Currach Project 2008'', http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/heritage/pdfs/clare_traditional_boat_and_currach_project_2008.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204739/http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/heritage/pdfs/clare_traditional_boat_and_currach_project_2008.pdf |date=23 September 2015 }}</ref>
As with other cities in Ireland, several multinational companies are based in Limerick, and the city is a growing recipient of foreign direct investment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-businessreport.com/article/livable-limerick-fdi-magnet/ |title=Livable Limerick |publisher=The Business Report |date=January 2017 |access-date=14 July 2017 |archive-date=16 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716214656/http://www.the-businessreport.com/article/livable-limerick-fdi-magnet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Dell Inc.|Dell]] had its main European Manufacturing Facility at the Raheen Business Park however in January 2009 Dell announced that it would close its Limerick computer manufacturing plant and move the production lines to Poland.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article5472924.ece | ___location=London | work=The Times | first=David | last=Sharrock | title=Dell delivers blow to Ireland with plant closure | date=8 January 2009 | access-date=31 October 2010 | archive-date=24 September 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924172258/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The facility was the largest Dell manufacturing plant outside the United States and produced 30,000–60,000 units per day for export to the [[Europe, the Middle East and Africa|EMEA]]. Dell remains one of the largest employers in the mid-west with over 1,000 people employed in service and support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/50-new-hightech-jobs-for.6190866.jp |title=50 new high-tech jobs for Dell's Raheen plant |publisher=[[Limerick Leader]] |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402102819/http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/50-new-hightech-jobs-for.6190866.jp |archive-date=2 April 2010 }}</ref> [[Analog Devices]] has its European manufacturing base in Raheen, 3 km south-west of the city centre. The site employs more than 1,000 people. [[Johnson & Johnson]] subsidiary [[Vistakon]] (the world's largest manufacturer of [[contact lenses]]) has a large facility in [[Castletroy]] in the [[Plassey, County Limerick|National Technology Park]] and also employs close to 1,000 people. It is Vistakon's only production facility outside the United States and one of the largest contact-lens manufacturing plants in the world. Cook Medical, the world's largest privately owned Medical Devices company, employs over 800 people in Limerick at the [[Plassey, County Limerick|National Technology Park]].
The [[Post-2008 Irish economic downturn]] had a profound effect on Limerick. The announcement in 2009 that Dell was to move its manufacturing facility from Limerick to Poland devastated the local economy. 1,900 jobs were lost at Dell and it is believed that for every job that was lost at Dell at least another 4 to 5 were at risk. The closure of the Dell manufacturing facility amounted to 2% of Ireland's national GDP.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0108/dell.html | publisher=RTÉ News | title=1,900 jobs lost at Dell in Limerick | date=8 January 2009 | access-date=28 July 2012 | archive-date=16 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116235908/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0108/Dell.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The downturn in the construction industry also cost many jobs as did the stalled Limerick regeneration programme which promised investment in Limerick's deprived city areas. As of 2012 unemployment had become a major problem across the city with the unemployment rate in the city at 28.6% which was almost twice the national average.<ref name="limerickleader.ie"/>
===Retail===
The [[Crescent Shopping Centre]] is the largest shopping centre in Ireland, outside of Dublin, and the largest in the province of Munster. It is located in [[Dooradoyle]] about 3 km south of the city centre, and has over 90 shopping outlets along with restaurants and a 12-screen Omniplex Cinema. The city centre also has a large retail district which includes a mix of more traditional type of shops as well as some modern [[high street]] stores. [[Cruises Street, Limerick|Cruises Street]] is one of the main shopping streets. [[O'Connell Street, Limerick|O'Connell Street]], [[William Street, Limerick|William Street]], [[Bedford Row (Limerick)|Bedford Row]] and [[Thomas Street, Limerick|Thomas Street]]) are also retail streets within the city. The city centre saw some works on remodeling in the early 21st century, with pedestrianisation works on Bedford Row, Thomas Street and parts of Catherine Street, as well as widening footpaths on William Street.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/part-of-limericks-oconnell-st-to-be-pedestrianised-291474.html | work = Irish Examiner | title = Part of Limerick's O'Connell St to be pedestrianised | date = 1 January 2007 | access-date = 25 October 2018 | quote = the recent pedestrianisation in the city centre of Bedford Row and part of Thomas Street, which was completed last month [Dec 2016]. The remainder of Thomas Street, along with Little Catherine Street, is due to be completed by mid-June [2007] | archive-date = 25 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150117/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/part-of-limericks-oconnell-st-to-be-pedestrianised-291474.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.southernassembly.ie/press-releases/press-release/erdf-co-funded-upgrade-works-in-limerick-city | publisher = southernassembly.ie | title = Press Release – European Regional Development Fund Co-funded upgrade works in Limerick City | year = 2013 | access-date = 25 October 2018 | quote = On 26th September 2013, the Mayor of Limerick Cllr Kathleen Leddin unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of the upgrade works to Sarsfield Street, William Street, and Upper William Street, Limerick. The recently completed Enhancement Scheme [..] included [..] footpath widening and re-surfacing | archive-date = 25 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150253/http://www.southernassembly.ie/press-releases/press-release/erdf-co-funded-upgrade-works-in-limerick-city | url-status = live }}</ref> These works have sought to address a reduction of footfall in the city centre (in turn influencing the closure of many city centre retail businesses) which occurred from the recession of 2008 onwards.<ref>{{cite report | url = https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2018-07/Executive%20Summary%20-%20Economic%20Profiling%20Report%20for%20Limerick%20City%20and%20County.pdf | publisher = Limerick.ie | title = Economic Data Profiling Report for Limerick – Executive Summary for Limerick City & Co Co – May 2018 | page = 11 | date = May 2018 | access-date = 25 October 2018 | quote = ''One of Limerick's primary weaknesses has been the ‘hollowing out’ of the city's core residential, retail, education and commercial activities in recent decades, resulting in a lack of vibrancy and population in the city centre'' | archive-date = 25 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150120/https://www.limerick.ie/sites/default/files/media/documents/2018-07/Executive%20Summary%20-%20Economic%20Profiling%20Report%20for%20Limerick%20City%20and%20County.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>
====Retail parks and shopping centres====
[[File:DunnesStore Limerick.JPG|thumb|right|[[Dunnes Stores]] in Limerick City]]
During the [[Celtic Tiger]] years a number of shopping centres and retail parks opened in suburban areas of Limerick. In addition to the Crescent Shopping Centre, which expanded in the early 2000s, the Jetland Shopping Centre and Childers Road Retail Park opened in the mid-2000s. As of 2017, unfinished retail centres included the [[Coonagh, Limerick City|Coonagh]] Cross retail development<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lit-to-open-14m-campus-454652.html|title=LIT to open €14m campus|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|first=Niall|last=Murray|date=13 July 2017|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614002026/https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lit-to-open-14m-campus-454652.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Parkway Valley Shopping Centre on the Dublin Road.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/271733/limerick-s-parkway-valley-development-to-be-placed-on-derelict-sites-register.html|title=Limerick's Parkway Valley development to be placed on derelict sites register|work=[[The Limerick Leader]]|first=David|last=Hurley|date=20 September 2017|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614002024/https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/271733/limerick-s-parkway-valley-development-to-be-placed-on-derelict-sites-register.html|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/09/18/councillors-call-for-horizon-mall-sitework-to-be-levelled/|title=Councillors call for Horizon Mall site work to be levelled|work=[[The Limerick Post]]|first=Alan|last=Jacques|date=18 September 2019|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001100856/https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/09/18/councillors-call-for-horizon-mall-sitework-to-be-levelled/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The plans for the Opera Centre, a proposed retail development described as "one of the biggest commercial development sites in the city's history", make up part of the "Limerick 2030" scheme.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2019/1126/1095245-bats-limerick-opera-centre/|title=Planning appeal over €180m Limerick Opera Centre|publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|first=Cathy|last=Halloran|date=26 November 2019|access-date=13 June 2020|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613214056/https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2019/1126/1095245-bats-limerick-opera-centre/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/1130/1181373-limerick-opera-site/ | publisher = RTÉ News | website = rte.ie | title = Work starts on building Limerick's Opera site | date = 30 November 2020 | accessdate = 10 May 2021 | archive-date = 12 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210512060049/https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/1130/1181373-limerick-opera-site/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
====The Milk Market====
[[The Milk Market]] located at Cornmarket Row in the city centre sells locally produced foods and products and is governed by Limerick Market Trustees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/about-us/|title=The Limerick Market Trustees|publisher=[[The Milk Market]]|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527232046/http://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010 work was undertaken to redevelop the existing premises to an all-weather, all year round facility as it operated in an outdoor environment. The work involved constructing a large canopy over the existing market premises and was officially re-opened in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/the-history-of-the-milk-market/|title=The History of the Milk Market|publisher=[[The Milk Market]]|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528033831/http://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/the-history-of-the-milk-market/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Milk Market Project won the 2011 [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]] (RIAI) 'Peoples Choice Award'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Milk Market wins RIAI award|url=http://www.dennanyreidy.ie/engineer-limerick-milk-market/#more-705|publisher=Dennany Reidy Associates|access-date=23 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619114203/http://www.dennanyreidy.ie/engineer-limerick-milk-market/#more-705|archive-date=19 June 2013}}</ref>
===Energy===
In 2013, a renewable energy strategy was launched for the region, and proposed a 20% reduction in CO<sub>2</sub>-emissions, while ensuring that short-term actions were beneficial to the long-term goal of [[100% renewable energy]]. The strategy was completed by the Danish [[Aalborg University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vbn.aau.dk/da/projects/limerick-clare-energy-plan%284f19f804-e1fb-42a2-af2d-59dbb0a6a975%29.html |title=Limerick Clare Energy Plan |access-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112051426/http://vbn.aau.dk/da/projects/limerick-clare-energy-plan(4f19f804-e1fb-42a2-af2d-59dbb0a6a975).html |archive-date=12 January 2013 }} [[Aalborg University]]'s catalogue of publications</ref>
==Transport==
===Air===
[[Shannon Airport]] is 20 km west of the city in [[County Clare]]. It is one of Ireland's main airports and is accessible from Limerick via the [[N18 road (Ireland)|N18]] dual carriageway and from other regions via the [[Limerick Tunnel]]. It has scheduled flights to European and North American destinations. There is no rail link to the airport. Coonagh airfield, a few kilometres west of [[Caherdavin]], serves small private aircraft. [[Kerry Airport|Kerry]] and [[Cork Airport]]s are around 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours drive away, respectively. [[Kerry Airport]] is connected via [[Farranfore railway station]] from [[Limerick railway station]], and [[Irish Citylink]] provide a direct service to Cork Airport<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citylink.ie/|title=Dublin to Galway Bus | Galway-Dublin Airport|website=www.citylink.ie}}</ref>
<!-- -->.
==
[[File:Bus Limerick.jpg|thumb|City Centre bus service]]
Local public transport is provided by several companies. [[Bus Éireann]], Ireland's state-owned bus company, operates a number of services subsidised by the National Transport Authority, while a number of provide operators also run commercial bus services in and around Limerick. An updated city bus network was introduced in Limerick City in December 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.limerickpost.ie/2016/12/03/bus-eireann-enhances-limerick-city-network/|title=Bus Éireann enhances Limerick City network|date=3 December 2016|website=Limerick Post Newspaper|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=4 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204121736/http://www.limerickpost.ie/2016/12/03/bus-eireann-enhances-limerick-city-network/|url-status=live}}</ref> which introduced new routes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buseireann.ie/news.php?id=2206&month=Nov|title=Enhanced Limerick City Network December 2016|website=buseireann.ie|access-date=26 August 2016|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924172303/https://www.buseireann.ie/bus_eireann_news.php?id=2206&month=Nov|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2019, Bus Éireann further changed and improved the Limerick City timetable, including increased frequency and later operating times.
Other rural buses run to towns and villages in the county and to [[Shannon Airport]]. There are also a number of Intercity and international buses from Bus Éireann's [[bus station|bus terminal]] adjoining [[Limerick railway station|Limerick Colbert railway station]]. These include hourly services to [[Dublin]], [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Ennis]] and [[Galway]]. Bus Éireann has also commenced a Limerick to Galway Express service traveling on the [[M18 motorway (Ireland)|M18]] in addition to the regular service. Buses run every 2 hours to [[Tralee]] and [[Killarney]]. There are also regular daily services to [[Waterford]] and [[Athlone]], and a daily service to London via the ferry from [[Rosslare Europort]].
There are some private bus companies in operation providing city and intercity services. Dublin Coach provides the [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7]] express service which operates every hour from Arthur's Quay which goes to Dublin or Ennis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dublincoach.ie/timetables/M7-bus-ennis-limerick-to-dublin-city.php|title=M7 Express Bus Service from Ennis to Dublin City via Limerick and Kildare – Dublin Coach|work=dublincoach.ie|access-date=16 February 2014|archive-date=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220034807/http://dublincoach.ie/timetables/M7-bus-ennis-limerick-to-dublin-city.php|url-status=live}}</ref> JJ Kavanagh also provide Dublin to Limerick services from Arthur's Quay. Citylink runs a number of services from Limerick to Galway, Cork and Cork Airport and operate from Henry Street.
==
[[File:Limerick-0103.jpg|thumb|Colbert station, Parnell Street]]
[[Iarnród Éireann]]'s [[Limerick railway station|Limerick Colbert station]] is the railway hub for the city and the Mid-West Region with a number of intercity and commuter rail services. [[Limerick railway station]] opened on 28 August 1858, replacing an earlier temporary station a short distance away, which had operated from 9 May 1848.<ref>{{cite book| first=R.V.J.| last=Butt| title=The Directory of Railway Stations| publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd| year=1995| isbn=1-85260-508-1|pages =143}}</ref>
The following [[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|inter city]] routes are available from [[Limerick railway station|Limerick Colbert station]] :
* '''Limerick to Dublin Heuston''': 16 services daily including 4 direct services. All remaining Dublin – Limerick services require passengers to change to the [[Dublin-Cork railway line|Dublin to Cork]] train at either [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]] or at [[Ballybrophy railway station]].
* '''[[Limerick-Rosslare railway line|Limerick to Waterford]]''': 2 services daily (but none on Sundays). Passengers must change train at [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]] to continue to Waterford with stations at [[Tipperary railway station|Tipperary]], [[Cahir railway station|Cahir]], [[Clonmel railway station|Clonmel]] and [[Carrick-on-Suir]].
* '''[[Western Railway Corridor|Limerick to Galway]]''': 5 services daily. This service reopened on 29 March 2010.<ref>[http://www.westontrack.com/news143.htm Galway to Limerick Railway on track for 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314080228/http://www.westontrack.com/news143.htm |date=14 March 2007 }} westontrack.com</ref>
* '''Limerick to Cork''': Passengers can travel between Limerick and [[Cork Kent railway station|Cork]] via [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]]. There is no direct service.
* '''Limerick to Killarney, Farranfore and Tralee''': Passengers can travel between Limerick and [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]], [[Farranfore railway station|Farranfore]] and [[Tralee railway station|Tralee]] via [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]] where trains run via [[Mallow railway station|Mallow]] to reach County Kerry.
There are 3 suburban/commuter services in the [[Limerick Suburban Rail]] network:
* '''Limerick – Ennis''' calling at [[Sixmilebridge]]
* '''Limerick – Nenagh''' calling at [[Castleconnell]] and [[Birdhill]] (with some services continuing to [[Cloughjordan]] & [[Roscrea]] & connecting to the [[Dublin-Cork railway line]] at [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]].) Due to speed restrictions, this alternative Dublin – Limerick route can take 60 minutes longer (with a change at [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]]) than by [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]] albeit a more direct service.
* '''Limerick – [[Limerick Junction railway station|Limerick Junction]] and [[Thurles railway station|Thurles]]'''
There are also some disused railway lines including the [[Limerick–Foynes railway line|Limerick to Foynes line]] which closed to freight in the early 2000s, having lost passenger services in the early 1960s, although the track is still in situ. This is the last remaining part of the North Kerry Line which closed to passenger traffic in the early 1960s and to freight traffic (other than Limerick – Foynes) in the mid-1970s.{{fact|date=June 2024}} In 2022, [[Iarnród Éireann]] commenced works to reopen the former Limerick–Foynes line for freight traffic.<ref>{{Cite web | website = rte.ie |last=Halloran |first=Cathy |date=2022-11-14 |title=Work to begin on reopening Foynes-Limerick rail line |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2022/1114/1335959-foynes-limerick-rail-line/ |language=en}}</ref> As of 2024, these works were projected to be completed by 2025, with freight operations due to commence from early 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Sandra |date=2024-05-23 |title=Freight services on Foynes line by early 2026 |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1507954/freight-services-on-foynes-line-by-early-2026.html |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.limerickleader.ie |language=en}}</ref>
===Road===
[[File:Limerick - Thomond Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 331738.jpg|thumb|Thomond Bridge over the River Shannon]]
Limerick's central ___location in the midwest of Ireland means many national primary routes converge on the city.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.galwaytransport.info/2017/03/main-national-roads-in-ireland-metro-map-style.html | title=National roads in Ireland - simplified map | access-date=6 April 2017 | archive-date=7 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054503/http://www.galwaytransport.info/2017/03/main-national-roads-in-ireland-metro-map-style.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7]] (Dublin), [[N18 road (Ireland)|N/M18]] (Galway, Ennis, Shannon), [[N20 road (Ireland)|N/M20]] (Cork), [[N21 road (Ireland)|N21]] (Tralee) and [[N24 road (Ireland)|N24]] (Waterford) routes all start/terminate in or near the city. Road infrastructure is further supplemented by the southern ring road and [[Limerick Tunnel]] bypass of the city and the M20 bypass of Dooradoyle and Raheen to the south of the city. Connections to the other cities were improved with the completion of the [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7 motorway]] in December 2010, and continuing upgrades ongoing to the N/M18 to Shannon, Ennis, Galway, and Tuam – the final section opened in September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0927/907774-galway-motorway/|title=M17/M18 Motorway|website=rte.ie|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=27 September 2017|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=4 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004220027/https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0927/907774-galway-motorway/|url-status=live}}</ref> A motorway is also planned between Cork and Limerick, with a proposed completion date in the mid-2020s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2017/1013/912137-m20-limerick-cork/|title=M20 Motorway|website=rte.ie|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=13 October 2017|access-date=14 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014233921/https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2017/1013/912137-m20-limerick-cork/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Waterway transport===
Historically, waterway transport has been key to Limerick's development. Vikings established the city as a maritime trading port. The city's position on a major Irish river system, the [[River Shannon|Shannon]], enabled transport to the midlands of Ireland and further north and west. By the 18th century with the opening of canal systems throughout Ireland, Limerick Port established itself as Ireland's premier commercial port on the western side of the country. This was enabled by the ease of access facilitated by the opening of canals but most importantly to the River Shannon. The opening of the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]] in the 18th century provided further access to Dublin and the east of the country. There are also a number of disused canals in the vicinity of the city including the Park Canal & the Passey – Errina Canal on the old Limerick navigation. Waterway transport on the Shannon was regularly used to transport goods from Limerick to Dublin and vice versa however this mode of transport fell into decline in the 20th century. Originally Limerick port was located near the confluence of the Abbey and Shannon rivers at [[King's Island, Limerick|King's Island]]. Today the [[Shannon Foynes Port]] is located further downstream on the Shannon alongside the Dock Road. This general-purpose facility port is operated by the Shannon Foynes Port Company which operates all marine activities in the Shannon estuary.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ireland's principal deep-water bulk products port {{!}} Shannon Foynes Port Company|url=https://www.sfpc.ie/about-us/|access-date=10 August 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601173627/https://www.sfpc.ie/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Education==
[[File:University of Limerick Plassey House.jpeg|thumb|Plassey House at the [[University of Limerick]].]]
[[File:LITPanorama.JPG|thumb|[[Limerick Institute of Technology]]]]
Limerick is a centre of higher education in the region, and technical and continuation education within the city traces its beginning back to the formation of the [[Limerick Athenaeum]] Society in 1852, marking the foundation of the [[Limerick Institute of Technology]]. The Society's aims included "the promotion of Literature, Science, Art and Music".<ref>Lane Joynt, William, ''Suggestions for the Establishment of a Limerick Athenaeum'', 1853. George McKern & Sons, Limerick.</ref> Limerick is now home to a number of higher-education institutions including the [[University of Limerick]], [[Limerick Institute of Technology]] (one of the two constituent campuses of the [[Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest]]) and [[Mary Immaculate College]] and has a student population of over 20,000.<ref>[http://www.educationireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=214&Itemid=100044 ''Mary Immaculate College''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210105659/http://www.educationireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=214&Itemid=100044 |date=10 February 2011 }}. Education in Ireland. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref>
The University of Limerick (UL) has a student population of over 17,000 and is about 5 km east of the city centre, in the suburb of [[Castletroy]]. It was established as the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) in 1972, and in 1989 was the first university to be established since the foundation of the [[Republic of Ireland|State]] in 1922. Its academic programs include courses in engineering, information technology, [[materials science]], [[sports science]], humanities, teacher education, social sciences and music. In 2007, the university opened a medical school. The Irish World Music Centre specialises in traditional music and dance, and UL is host to the [[Irish Chamber Orchestra]]. The campus includes a 50m Olympic-standard swimming complex, the first to be established in Ireland.<ref>[http://www.ulf.ie/projects/university-arena/ ''University Arena''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009172429/http://www.ulf.ie/projects/university-arena/ |date=9 October 2011 }}, University of Limerick Foundation. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> The campus has one of the longest footbridges in Europe, "[[The Living Bridge]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Arup wins award for Living Bridge |publisher=irishconstruction.com |url=http://www.irishconstruction.com/page/889 |access-date=17 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402063431/http://www.irishconstruction.com/page/889 |archive-date= 2 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=LM085 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering | publisher=University of Limerick | url=http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Marketing/Undergraduate%20Course%20Guide/Science%20&%20Engineering/LM085%20Bachelor%20of%20Engineering%20in%20Civil%20Engineering | access-date=17 December 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721132729/http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Marketing/Undergraduate%20Course%20Guide/Science%20%26%20Engineering/LM085%20Bachelor%20of%20Engineering%20in%20Civil%20Engineering | archive-date=21 July 2011 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Thomond College of Education, Limerick]] was a teacher training college for secondary level and was integrated into the university in 1991.
Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) has a student population of approximately 7,000 and is a centre for undergraduate and postgraduate education in business, engineering, information technology, humanities, science, and art education. In October 2021, it merged with [[Athlone IT]] to become the [[Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest]], in 2021/2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://aitlitconsortium.ie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505095844/https://www.aitlitconsortium.ie/ |archive-date=5 May 2021 |access-date=5 May 2021 |website=AIT-LIT Consortium |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Limerick IT and Athlone IT to merge to form new technological university |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/limerick-it-and-athlone-it-to-merge-to-form-new-technological-university-40388958.html |access-date=5 May 2021 |website=[[Independent.ie]] |language=en |first=Brendan |last=Kelly Palenque |date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505111209/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/limerick-it-and-athlone-it-to-merge-to-form-new-technological-university-40388958.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The main campus is located at Moylish Park, about 3 kilometres north-west of the city centre, and the [[Limerick School of Art and Design]] is located on campuses at Clare Street and George's Quay. Additional facilities and outreach centres are located at O'Connell Street and in Ennis, County Clare and LIT has two campuses in County Tipperary, LIT Thurles and LIT Clonmel. These were formerly the campuses of the [[Tipperary Institute]] which merged with LIT in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nationalist.ie/news/local/ti_future_secure_in_new_merger_with_limerick_1_2250519 | title = TI future secure in new merger with Limerick | archiveurl = https://archive.today/20120903224720/http://www.nationalist.ie/news/local/ti_future_secure_in_new_merger_with_limerick_1_2250519 |archivedate=3 September 2012 | publisher = The Nationalist | date = 22 February 2010}}</ref> LIT was originally established in 1852 as a School of Ornamental Art. In the mid-1970s it was incorporated as the Limerick College of Art, Commerce & Technology (CoACT) and achieved the designation of a Regional Technical College (RTC) in 1993 and finally an [[Institutes of Technology in Ireland|Institute of Technology]] in 1997. LIT has connections with several enterprise centres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lit.ie/getmedia/c849f6d6-df94-4fb9-86e7-f8080cf48c15/Annual-Report-2012-2013.pdf|title=Annual Report 2012-2013|publisher=[[Limerick Institute of Technology]]|page=81|access-date=14 June 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614010303/https://lit.ie/getmedia/c849f6d6-df94-4fb9-86e7-f8080cf48c15/Annual-Report-2012-2013.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
Mary Immaculate College is an education and arts college located just southwest of the city centre. The main focus is on the education of primary-level teachers. Mary Immaculate College is a constituent college of the [[University of Limerick]].
[[Griffith College Limerick]] (GCL) is a private college in Limerick. The college was established in 2006 when the Mid-West Business Institute was acquired by Griffith College. The college runs full-time and part-time courses in accountancy, business, law, engineering, computing, and IT and has a range of part-time courses available.
Primary and secondary education in the city is organised similarly to the rest of Ireland. The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (formerly the City of Limerick Vocational Education Committee) provides education services for over 25,000 learners in the city at secondary and further education levels. It also runs Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, an all-Irish language secondary school. The other main secondary schools in the city are [[Castletroy College]], [[Crescent College]] Comprehensive, Thomond Community College, and [[Villiers Secondary School|Villiers]] which are all [[Coeducation|co-educational]]. [[Ardscoil Rís, Limerick|Ardscoil Rís]], St. Clements Redemptorist College, [[CBS Sexton Street]] and [[St Munchin's College]] are boys-only schools. [[Laurel Hill Coláiste]], The Presentation, Ard Scoil Mhuire, and Scoil Carmel are girls-only schools.
==Sport==
[[Rugby Union|Rugby]], [[Gaelic football]], [[hurling]], and association football are popular sporting pastimes in Limerick. The city and suburbs also have many tennis, athletics, [[cricket]] and golf clubs. The city is host to many large sporting events. Examples in the 21st century include the 2008 and 2009 Irish Open Golf Championships, the 2010 Irish [[Special Olympics]], the All-Ireland Corporate Games, and the World [[Baton twirling]] Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.worldbaton2008.com|title= WBTF Championships 2008|access-date= 27 August 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080325222524/http://www.worldbaton2008.com/|archive-date= 25 March 2008|url-status= dead|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Limerick was designated as a European City of Sport for 2011 by the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES).<ref>[http://tcs.ireland.ie/dataland/TCSAttachments/1886_LimerickCityofSport%28final%29.pdf ''Limerick European City of Sport 2011'']{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Shannon Development, 15 October 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref>
The National Elite Swimming Club is based at The University of Limerick Arena. Former World Boxing Champion, [[Andy Lee (boxer)|Andy Lee]], who held the [[World Boxing Organization|WBO]] [[middleweight]] title from 2014 to 2015, trained at St. Francis Boxing Club on Mungret Street in Limerick.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5758/tss-future-star-andy-lee/ |title=TSS Future Star: Andy Lee | TheSweetScience.com Boxing |website=www.thesweetscience.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430112533/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5758/tss-future-star-andy-lee/ |archive-date=30 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Basketball===
Similar to the rest of Ireland, basketball was a popular sport in Limerick during the 1970s and 1980s, with up to four divisions in the men's and women's local leagues. It suffered a decline during the 1990s culminating in the complete demise of local league basketball in the city and surrounding areas. The main clubs in the city were St. Colm's and Marathon with St. Colm's, in particular, having a long history in the National Leagues.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Limerick is currently represented in the [[Premier League (Ireland)|National Leagues]] by the men's [[UL Eagles]] team and the women's UL Aughinish team. They both play their home games at the 2,500-capacity University Arena at the University of Limerick. There are several other teams at the school and club level, including St. Colm's, Limerick Lakers, Taste of Europe, Limerick Celtic, and [[Limerick Lions]].
===Cricket===
[[Limerick Cricket Club]] is a member of the Munster Cricket Union and plays in competitions organised by the Union. The club has in the past provided players for the [[Ireland national cricket team]].
===Rowing===
Four rowing clubs are located in the city, namely [[Limerick Boat Club]], Shannon Rowing Club, [[St Michael's Rowing Club]], and Athlunkard Boat Club. St Michael's member and Limerick native [[Sam Lynch]] won the [[World Rowing Championships]] gold medal in the Men's Lightweight Single Sculls in 2001 and 2002.
=== Gaelic games ===
[[File:Sporting Limerick Logo.jpg|thumb|Limerick jersey with Sporting Limerick Logo]]
Ireland's national sports of [[hurling]] and [[Gaelic football]] are widely played in the city and its surrounding suburbs. The [[Limerick county hurling team]] have won five All-Ireland senior hurling championships since 2018 and are [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics#General performances|fourth most successful historically]].
[[Na Piarsaigh GAA (Limerick)|Na Piarsaigh]] is the only city club [[2022 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship|currently]] playing hurling at senior level. [[Claughaun GAA|Claughaun]] (Clochán), Monaleen (Móin a'Lín) and Mungret (Mungairit) compete at intermediate level and Old Christians (Sean-Chríostaithe), Milford (Áth an Mhuilinn), Saint Patrick's (Naomh Pádraig) and Abbey Sarsfields (Sáirséalaigh na Mainistreach) compete at junior level.
Limerick won the first [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]] in 1887 when represented by the city's Commercials club and repeated the feat in 1896. Since then, the game has lived mostly in the shadow of hurling but a resurgence in 2000 saw the county win its first Munster Under-21 title and has since reached three Munster Senior finals. Monaleen (Móin a'Lín) is the only city club to play football in the senior grade. Saint Patrick's (Naomh Pádraig), Claughaun (An Clochán), Mungret St. Paul's (Mungairit Naomh Pól) and [[Na Piarsaigh GAA (Limerick)|Na Piarsaigh]] are at intermediate level and Milford (Áth a Mhuilinn), Abbey Sarsfields (Sáirséalaigh na Mainstreach) and Ballinacurra Gaels (Gaeil Bhaile na Cora) play at junior level.
Some secondary school's compete in the [[Dr. Harty Cup]], which is the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship. Limerick CBS has won the cup on 10 occasions, including four in a row from 1964 to 1967 and most recently in 1993. The school also won the [[Dr. Croke Cup]], the All-Ireland Colleges Hurling Championship, on two occasions, in 1964 and 1966. Ardscoil Rís has won the championship on five occasions, in 2010, 2011, 2013,2015, and 2021 and St. Munchin's College won it once, in 1922.
Both the University of Limerick (UL) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) have been successful in the [[Fitzgibbon Cup]], the All-Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championship. UL first won the championship in 1989 and has won it four times in all. LIT's two wins came in 2005 and 2007. Both of the colleges met in the final in 2011, with UL scoring an injury-time goal to win.<ref>[http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/gaa/fitzgibbon-cup-live-score-updates-results-friday-25th/ ''UL come from behind to win Fitzgibbon Cup''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716121839/http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/gaa/fitzgibbon-cup-live-score-updates-results-friday-25th/ |date=16 July 2011 }}, Sports News Ireland, 25 February 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref>
Limerick's [[Gaelic Grounds]] (Páirc na nGael), on the Ennis Road, is the county team's home venue for both sports and has a capacity of 49,000 following reconstruction in 2004. In 1961 it hosted Ireland's biggest crowd for a sporting event outside [[Croke Park]] when over 61,000 paid to see the Munster hurling final between Tipperary and Cork.<ref>[http://www.sportsmanager.ie/t66.php?userid=18&contentpage=1&id=382&countyid=18&club_id=&sportid=1 Gaelic Grounds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721130704/http://www.sportsmanager.ie/t66.php?userid=18&contentpage=1&id=382&countyid=18&club_id=&sportid=1 |date=21 July 2011 }} ''eSports Manager''. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref>
===Golf===
There are three golf clubs associated with Limerick city. [[Limerick Golf Club]] was founded in 1891 and is located at Ballyclough, {{convert|5|km|0}} due south of the city centre. Castletroy Golf Club was founded in 1937 and is located in the suburb of Castletroy in the southwest of the city. Rathbane Golf Club is based at Rathbane Golf Course, a municipal facility opened in 1998 on the southern outskirts of the city and operated under a licence for Limerick City Council. Limerick has won the Irish Senior Cup, the blue riband event of Irish amateur golf, on four occasions and was the first Irish club to win the European Club Championship, in 1980.<ref>Cotter, Patrick J., ''A History of Limerick Golf Club, 1891 – 1991'', 1991, The Treaty Press.</ref> Castletroy has won the Irish Senior Cup once.
Limerick Golf Club was host to the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, one of the largest [[pro-am]] events of its kind in the world. It has contributed over €95m to local charities since its inception in 1990.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0211/1224289523496.html ''JP McManus named Limerick Person of the Year for 2010''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222191039/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0211/1224289523496.html |date=22 February 2011 }}, The Irish Times, 11 February 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> The event moved to the larger [[Adare Golf Club]] in 2005 as it had outgrown the Ballyclough venue.<ref>[http://www.jpmcmanusproam.com/tournament-information/overview.html ''Tournament History''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713121838/http://www.jpmcmanusproam.com/tournament-information/overview.html |date=13 July 2011 }}, JP McManus Invitational Pro Am. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> Adare also played host to the [[Irish Open (golf)|Irish Open]] in 2007 and 2008.
===Rugby===
[[File:Munster rugby 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Munster fans in Limerick during the 2006 Heineken Cup]]
[[Rugby union]] is popular in the city and is widely played at all levels, with Limerick sometimes referred to as the "spiritual home of Irish rugby".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/disconnected-clubs-academy-issues-and-a-dominant-neighbour-how-munster-fell-behind-their-rivals-40271576.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | website = independent.ie | title = Disconnected clubs, academy issues and a dominant neighbour - how Munster fell behind their rivals | date = 4 April 2021 | accessdate = 11 July 2021 | archive-date = 11 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210711185710/https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/disconnected-clubs-academy-issues-and-a-dominant-neighbour-how-munster-fell-behind-their-rivals-40271576.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/limerick-ready-to-create-legends-636544.html Limerick Ready To Create Legends]{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Independent'', 27 May 2000. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> Two-time European champions [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] play most home matches at [[Thomond Park]], where they held a record of being unbeaten in the [[Heineken Cup]] for 26 consecutive games until the 16–9 defeat by Leicester in January 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jan/21/rugbyunion.heinekencup2006071|last=Butler|first=Eddie|access-date=1 October 2023|date=21 January 2007|work=The Guardian|title=Leicester leave Munster stunned}}</ref> Munster recorded a famous 12–0 victory against the New Zealand [[New Zealand national rugby union team|All Blacks]] in 1978 at Thomond Park and came close a second time when the teams met in 2008, losing 18–16.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/nov/19/newzealand-munster|title=Munster come within minutes of a miracle| last=Averis| first=Michael| access-date=1 October 2023| date=18 November 2008| work=The Guardian}}</ref> Munster also defeated an Australian touring side at Thomond Park in 2010<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/munster/9196601.stm| title=Munster 15-6 Australia| access-date=1 October 2023| date=16 November 2010| publisher=BBC}}</ref> and the [[Maori All Blacks]] 27-14 in 2016.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.the42.ie/munster-maori-all-blacks-match-report-3077791-Nov2016/| date=9 November 2016| access-date=1 October 2023| title=Another special night in Thomond Park as Maori All Blacks overawed by Munster| publisher=The 42}}</ref>
Since its inception in 1991 the [[AIB League|All-Ireland League]] has been dominated by Limerick City teams, with three clubs winning the competition 13 times between them: [[Shannon RFC|Shannon]] (9); [[Garryowen Football Club|Garryowen]] (3) and [[Young Munster]] (1). Other senior rugby clubs in the city include [[Old Crescent]], [[Thomond RFC|Thomond]], and [[UL Bohemians]]. Richmond and St. Mary's are city clubs playing in the junior leagues.
The city's secondary schools compete in the [[Munster Schools Senior Cup|Munster Senior]] and [[Munster Schools Junior Cup|Junior]] Cups and a number of schools have had notable success at both levels. The most successful rugby school in the city is [[Crescent College]], eleven-time Senior Cup and five-time Junior Cup winners. The school is affiliated with Old Crescent RFC. [[St Munchin's College|St. Munchin's]] has won the Senior Cup five times since 1968 and the Junior Cup three times. [[CBS Sexton Street|Limerick CBS]] won the Senior Cup on four occasions in the 1920s and 1930s and the Junior Cup in 1932. [[Ardscoil Rís, Limerick|Ardscoil Rís]] has won the Junior Cup twice, in 2003 and 2005 and [[Castletroy College]] won both senior and junior competitions in 2008.
[[File:Thomond Park.jpg|thumb|right|[[Thomond Park]] is the home grounds of [[Munster Rugby]]]]
In 2013, [[Thomond Park]] hosted [[rugby league]] in the [[2013 Rugby League World Cup]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1843887-rugby-league-world-cup-australia-vs-ireland-result-and-post-match-reaction| date=9 November 2013|last=Walker|first=Lee|title=Rugby League World Cup: Australia vs. Ireland Result and Post-Match Reaction
|access-date=1 October 2023|publisher=Bleacher Report}}</ref> and an academy was briefly set up in 2011 to identify Irish players to play for [[Super League]] clubs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/11/05/01/RUGBYL_Ireland.html&BID=480 |title=IRELAND AIM FOR SUPER LEAGUE SIDE |work=Sporting Life |date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118064107/http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague%2F11%2F05%2F01%2FRUGBYL_Ireland.html&BID=480 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thescore.ie/limerick-launches-bid-for-rugby-league-world-cup-games-175112-Jul2011/ |title=Limerick launches bid for Rugby League World Cup games |publisher=Thescore.ie |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729091918/http://www.thescore.ie/limerick-launches-bid-for-rugby-league-world-cup-games-175112-Jul2011/ |archive-date=29 July 2013 }}</ref> Domestic rugby league was formerly played in Limerick, with the [[Treaty City Titans]] representing the city in the [[All-Ireland Rugby League Championship]]. The Titans were Irish champions eight times between 2005 and 2015, but as of 2023 the team is defunct.
===Association football===
Association football is popular in the city and suburbs, and the city was historically represented in the [[League of Ireland]] by [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick FC]]. The club first joined the league in 1937. There have been a number of variations of the club, and their most successful period was from the 1960s to the 1980s when they won two League of Ireland championships and two [[FAI Cup]]s. The club played at [[Markets Field]] until the mid-1980s when they controversially moved to a new venue.<ref>Dunne, Eoin, [http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/limericks-recovery-starts-to-take-shape-119525.html ''Limerick's recovery starts to take shape''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018102723/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/limericks-recovery-starts-to-take-shape-119525.html |date=18 October 2012 }}, Irish Independent, 26 January 2006. Retrieved 8 March 201.</ref> Limerick FC returned to the Markets Field in June 2015, following the purchase of the venue by the Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP) from [[Bord na gCon]].<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0303/1224291212748.html ''Limerick FC look set for return to Market's Field''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303043937/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0303/1224291212748.html |date=3 March 2011 }}, The Irish Times, 3 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.</ref> However, the club suffered a financial collapse in 2019 and lost its licence.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.the42.ie/limerick-fc-2-4927987-Dec2019/ | website = the42.ie | title = Limerick FC set to be liquidated | date = 11 December 2019 | accessdate = 21 February 2021 | archive-date = 12 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210212011554/https://www.the42.ie/limerick-fc-2-4927987-Dec2019/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0212/1114911-no-limerick-as-fai-confirm-licences-for-2020-season/ | website = rte.ie | title = No Limerick as FAI confirm licences for 2020 season | date = 12 February 2020 | accessdate = 21 February 2021 | archive-date = 13 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210213171537/https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0212/1114911-no-limerick-as-fai-confirm-licences-for-2020-season/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
In place of Limerick FC, a new club called [[Treaty United F.C.]] was created. The women's team, [[Treaty United W.F.C.]], began playing in the 2020 season of the [[Women's National League (Ireland)|Women's National League]]. The men's team was not able to begin playing until the 2021 season, joining the [[League of Ireland First Division]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Treaty United to take up the 10th place in First Division|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/treaty-united-to-take-up-the-10th-place-in-first-division-1.4490861|access-date=29 April 2021|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220203957/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/treaty-united-to-take-up-the-10th-place-in-first-division-1.4490861|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Horse racing===
[[Limerick Racecourse]] is located 10km outside the city at Greenmount, Patrickswell and holds [[Flat racing|flat]] and [[National Hunt racing|National Hunt]] meetings throughout the year.
The racecourse superseded [[Greenpark Racecourse]], a course inside the city, which closed in 1999 after 130 years of racing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickraces.ie/history-of-limerick-racecourse/|title=History of Limerick Racecourse|date=21 August 2015|publisher=Limerickraces.ie|accessdate=28 March 2021|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115140725/http://www.limerickraces.ie/history-of-limerick-racecourse/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Ireland}}
Limerick is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities and Twinnings Management|work=Limerick City and County Council|url=https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/your-council/about-us/sister-cities-and-twinnings-management|access-date=2021-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Limerick council to send Mayor to Boston for twinning|work=Limerick Leader|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/201748/Limerick-council-to-send-Mayor-to.html|date=2016-01-26|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.limerick.ie/council/your-council/galleries/limerick-and-austin-texas-sign-sister-cities-agreement | work = Limerick City & County Council | title = Limerick and Austin, Texas Sign Sister Cities Agreement | date = December 2024 | accessdate = 9 June 2025 }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[A Coruña]], Spain
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Limerick Township]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lowell, Massachusetts|Lowell]], United States
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Quimper]], France
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], United States
==Photos==
<!-- Good quality photos from Limerick City, try to keep the quality high of a photo posted. -->
<gallery mode="packed">
File:LimerickCity KingJohnsCastle 2010.jpg|King John's Castle on the River Shannon
File:StJohnsCastleLimerick.jpg|Thomond Bridge and King John's Castle
File:LimerickCity Riverpoint.jpg|The quay in Limerick City
File:Treaty-Stone-Limerick-2012.JPG|Treaty Stone on the banks of the River Shannon
File:LimerickCity StMarysCathedral.jpg|St. Mary's Cathedral
File:LimerickCity BishopsQuay.jpg|Limerick on the River Shannon as viewed from Bishop's Quay
File:UniversityOfLimerick_AntonyGormley.jpeg|Sculpture by [[Antony Gormley]] in the Central Plaza of the [[University of Limerick]]
</gallery>
==See also==
{{portal|Ireland}}
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[List of public art in Limerick]]
==
{{Reflist}}
==References==
{{Refbegin}}
* ''The History of Limerick City'' by Sean Spellissy (1998)
* ''The Government and the People of Limerick. The History of Limerick Corporation/City Council 1197–2006'' by Matthew Potter (2006)
* ''First Citizens of the Treaty City. The Mayors and Mayoralty of Limerick 1197–2007'' by Matthew Potter (2007)
* ''The Memoirs of John M. Regan, a Catholic Officer in the RIC and RUC, 1909–48'', Joost Augusteijn, editor, District Inspector, Limerick 1920, {{ISBN|978-1-84682-069-4}}.
{{Refend}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.
* [http://
* [http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/ Various online history resources from Limerick City Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010103710/http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/ |date=10 October 2021 }}
{{Limerick}}
{{Cities in Ireland}}
{{County Limerick}}
{{River Shannon}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Limerick (city)| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:
[[Category:
[[Category:Munster]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Shannon]]
[[Category:Viking Age populated places]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland]]
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