How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Visitors to Limerick will be arriving by air at Shannon Airport (IATA code SNN), located 16 miles west-northwest of Limerick City. Shannon Airport is one of three international airports in the Republic of Ireland. 1.75 million passengers were served by Shannon Airport in the year 2017. Shannon Airport is the site of a U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance station, allowing travelers returning to the U.S. to bypass immigration when arriving back stateside. Aer Lingus offers year-round flights between New York JFK Airport and Shannon Airport, with seasonal flights offered by Delta, American, United, and Norwegian, among other airlines. It is a focus city for low-cost airline Ryanair, with many of its routes from Shannon Airport flying to either Poland or Spain.

Driving directions from Shannon Airport: Take the N19 motorway three miles to the N18 and head east. After eight miles, exit the N18 at Cratloemoyle Castle and get on the R445. After four miles, the R445 road will lead to the Sarsfield Bridge and will take you directly to Newtown Pery.

Taxis are available from Shannon Airport to Limerick; expect to pay in the neighborhood of €45-60 depending on time of day and number of pieces of baggage handled. Bus Eireann`s Shannon Airport shuttle (Route 343) takes 50 minutes to travel between Shannon Airport`s arrivals hall and Limerick Colbert railway station. Tickets can be bought online for €7 before fees. For more information, visit

How do I get from the train or bus station to my hotel?

There is a taxi rank and a city bus station at Limerick Colbert railway station, which is located on Parnell Street. Taxis should cost €10 or less in Limerick City. Local Bus Eireann routes 301 and 304A depart from Limerick Colbert to various parts of Newtown Pery and other areas. For bus information, visit

How do I get around Limerick using public transport?

Bus Eireann runs local service in Limerick, with nine dedicated routes covering Limerick City and immediate environs. Nearly all buses travel to Newtown Pery, with the 301 (Raheen UHL-Westbury) and the 313 (City Centre-Ardnacrusha) connecting that area with Irishtown, Englishtown, and Thomondgate. Route 304 (Ballycummin - UL) connects Newtown Pery with the University of Limerick. Routes 304 (Ballycummin - UL) and 304A (Raheel UHL-UL) connect Newtown Pery with the Crescent Shopping Centre south of the city. Buses tend to run every 15 or 30 minutes on weekdays, with less frequent service on some routes on weekends and holidays. Tickets cost €2.40 if paying in cash; fares are 25% cheaper if loaded onto a Limerick Leap card, which can be bought at the railway station. For more information, including timetables and a map, visit

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis in Limerick can be hailed from the street if you see one. They are typically gray or black in color, with lights on the roof that indicate whether it is in service or not. Taxi ranks or queues can be found at Arthur`s Quay Park, Limerick Colbert railway station, Thomas Street, and sometimes O`Connell Street. Taxi fares begin at €4 with an increase of approximately €2.50 per mile. Fares shouldn`t cost more than €10-€15 in the immediate Limerick area; expect a fare of about €25-€30 to Bunratty Castle and €45-€60 to Shannon Airport from Newtown Pery. Night rates (increases of up to 25%) occur between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. each night. Well-known taxi companies include Castletroy Cabs (, 061 332266) and Shannon Airport Taxis (, 061 332266).

I will have a car in Limerick. Where can I park?

There are sixteen public parking lots located in Newtown Pery, Irishtown, and Englishtown. The major 24-hour public paid parking lots are located on Harvey`s Quay (€4.80 for two hours) and at Henry Street and Mount Kenneth Place (€3.60 for two hours). There are usually attendants on call who can help you with the pay machines. For more information on parking lots, including time limits, prices and real-time availability, visit and search for Limerick.

I hear Limerick is home to many museums. Which museums are there, and how much is admission?

The most popular free museum in Limerick is The Limerick Museum, located on Henry Street. With over 60,000 artifacts, The Limerick Museum is one of the most comprehensive museums which illustrate the history of this area. The Hunt Museum boasts one of the largest private collections of art and antiques in Ireland, and it does have an entrance fee (currently €7.50), but if you go on Sundays, admission is free. The Frank McCourt Museum is a labor of love which chronicles the life of Frank McCourt (1930-2009, author of the best-selling Angela`s Ashes), much of which was lived in Limerick. Admission to this museum is €4. The Limerick City Gallery of Art, located in People`s Park, is free to visit, as is The Carrol Collection at The Bishop`s Palace (donations are welcome). King John`s Castle requires tickets that are usually €10 for adults.

Is Limerick a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?

Limerick City is the third-largest city in the Irish Republic with a population approaching 100,000. The city suffers from a crime problem, and although the tourist board is making an effort to clean things up, Limerick can still feel gritty in spots. Be wary of pickpockets in crowds and on buses and use common sense when going out at night -- keep to well lit areas and the main thoroughfares and take a taxi if you are going a long distance. Along the river, the Medieval Heritage Precinct, dominated by the 13th century King John's Castle, is no exception, so use extra caution when carrying handbags or expensive cameras and distribute your cash, credit cards, passports/IDs, and other valuables between an inside jacket pocket or hidden money pouch. In an emergency, dial tel. 999. The local Garda Headquarters is on Henry Street (tel. 061 212400).

How can I visit a lot of the places mentioned in Frank McCourt`s book Angela`s Ashes?

The 1996 book Angela`s Ashes became a best-seller in the United States, and went on to win the 1997 Pulitzer Prize. It was a memoir written by Irish-American author Frank McCourt (1930-2009), who recounted much of his early life in Limerick, where he lived from the ages of six to nineteen. The Limerick Tourist Office offers walking tours which take visitors to areas mentioned in the book, such as Arthur`s Quay, Leamy`s School, Parnell Street, Barrack Hill, Windmill Street, and more. For more information, call Noel Curtin at 087 2351339 and ask to be booked on a walking tour when you will be in town.

Can I pay/tip in U.S. dollars?

The currency of Ireland is the euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. ATMs can be found at many locations in Limerick.

What are the best areas for shopping?

The `high street` of Limerick is O`Connell Street, and you will find many boutiques and department stores along this street. Arthur`s Quay Shopping Centre is a shopping precinct consisting of two dozen stores and restaurants. You will find Penney`s and Debenhams on this part of O`Connell Street, while Dunnes Stores takes up the block on Harvey`s Quay between Bedford Row and Shannon Street. Crescent Shopping Centre, south of the city and connected to Newtown Pery by Bus Eireann routes, is the largest shopping center in the area with 94 stores and six anchors. For more detailed information on shopping in Limerick, visit our dedicated shopping page.

I want to bike on my vacation. Where can I rent a bicycle in Limerick?

Coca-Cola Zero has made it very easy to rent a bicycle while in Limerick. The soda brand has helped three cities, of which Limerick is one, get their residents more active with the installation of rent-a-bikes called Coca-Cola Zero Bikes. All you need to do is download the Coca-Cola Zero Bikes app from the Apple or Google Play stores, submit your profile information, and choose Limerick. You will find a map of bikeshare locations where you can rent your own bicycle for the day. Keep in mind that there will be a €150 security hold on your credit card when you do this; it is then refunded by Coca-Cola Zero Bikes within three days. Apart from the security fee, there is a three-day pass that tourists can buy for only €3. For more information, visit