Outdoor options abound in Limerick, and even kids will enjoy the vast selection of fishing and horseback riding available in the surrounding countryside. Uniquely Irish sports such as Gaelic football and hurling dominate the scene but regular football and rugby also have dedicated supporters.

Gaelic Football
This fast-paced Irish sport is thrilling to watch or play and has a loyal fan base in Limerick. Played with a round ball, the object of the game is to get the ball between the goalposts but unlike football, players are allowed to use their legs or hands to kick and punch the ball. Visitors can enjoy games at the University of Limerick.

Hurling
With a history dating back centuries, hurling is equal in popularity to Gaelic football and can be played on the same field. Similar to hockey, this Irish sport sees players manoeuvre the ball with sticks to its end goal, between the goal posts. The sport has a reputation for being fast and furious though players rarely get hurt. The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is held annually in Limerick.

Rugby
The existence of nine rugby clubs in Limerick is evidence of the popularity of this sport in Ireland. Thomond Park is host to matches throughout the season and visitors can get tickets in advance to experience the passion with which this sport is played locally. If you can’t get a ticket for a game, there will be plenty of pubs showing matches on big screens.

Fishing
There are a number of outfits in Limerick that can organise fishing trips for you. For anglers, fishing as part of an organised trip is the most convenient way to take the legwork out of getting permits and equipment and of course, finding the best spots. The Kingfisher Angling Centre in nearby Castleconnell (Phone: +353 61 377407) can organise fishing daytrips, as does Limerick’s Steve’s Fishing and Shooting Store. Celtic Angling in Ballingarry (Phone: +353 69 68202) offers salmon fishing daytrips on the Shannon River.

Golf
Golfers can practise their swing at any of three nearby golf courses, all of which are 18-hole courses. Limerick County Golf and Country Club (Phone: +353 61 351881) ranks as the best, being a par-72 championship course, while Limerick Golf Club (Phone: +353 61 415146) and Castleroy Golf Club (Phone: +353 61 335753) offer stunning locations amid green rolling hills.

Horseback Riding
Kids will love the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside on horseback, with the Clonshire Equestrian and Polo Centre in Adare catering to all levels of riders. Classes for beginners are held at the centre while cross-country rides through outstanding Limerick countryside and instruction in show jumping and dressage are also available. Riding holidays are also catered for.
Phone: +353 61 396770; www.clonshire.com  

Limerick’s cultural attractions are focused around museums and art galleries, with the city boasting a fine collection of exhibits. Perhaps the most popular museum is Limerick Museum, where the city’s original charter, signed by Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II, can be found. Foynes Flying Boat Museum, previously an airport and gateway for the first transatlantic flights to the US, has today been transformed into a museum that will appeal to aviation buffs.

Foynes Flying Boat Museum
Aviation fans will not want to miss a visit to this former airport, which has today been transformed into a museum. It was here where the Yankee Clipper landed after its first passenger flight from the US to Europe in 1939. The airport went on to become the main gateway for non-stop flights from Europe to the US, and many of its preserved features such as a 1940s-style cinema and the original terminal building remain. 
Phone: +353 69 65416; www.flyingboatmuseum.com  

Adare
Drive south of Limerick for 16 kilometres and you will arrive at the picturesque, quintessential Irish village of Adare. The colourful history of this quaint village can be discovered at the Adare Heritage Centre, which traces the settlement’s past to medieval times. The city itself is ideal for strolling with its pretty Tudor period homes, Desmond Castle and thatched cottages. 
Phone: +353 61 396 666; www.adareheritagecentre.ie  

Hunt Museum
Second only to Dublin’s National Museum, this wonderful museum traces Ireland’s past through artefacts dating to the Iron and Bronze ages and to medieval times. Occupying Palladian Custom House, a grand 18th century construction, the museum exhibits 2,000 items, most of which are part of a private collection accumulated by John and Gertrude Hunt. Highlights include a sketch by Picasso. 
Phone: +353 61 312833; www.huntmuseum.com  

Limerick City Gallery of Art
Featuring works by celebrated Irish painter Jack B Yeats, this interesting gallery exhibits pieces spanning from the 1700s to the 1900s. Aside from its impressive permanent collection, the gallery exhibits the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing and is host to visiting exhibits, often of a contemporary nature. 
Phone: +353 61 310633 

Limerick City Museum
Offering insight into the city’s fascinating history, Limerick City Museum traces the city’s past through interesting archaeological, natural history, arts and crafts exhibits as well as maps, photographs and prints. A highlight is the city’s original charter, signed by Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II, while the civic sword presented to the city by Queen Elizabeth I is another popular exhibit. 
Phone: +353 61 417 826

Angela’s Ashes Walking Tour
See the sites featured in bestseller Angela’s Ashes on a walking tour of Limerick. Tours take in Windmill Street, Leamys School, South’s Pub, and Barrack Hill (formerly Roden Lane) as well as churches featured in the memoir. Tours depart from Limerick Tourist Information Centre. 
Phone: +353 61 317522 (Limerick Tourist Information Centre)

St John’s Cathedral
Built in the second half of the 19th century and designed by renowned Victorian architect Philip Charles Hardwick, Ireland's tallest church is today still used as a Roman Catholic place of worship. Its spire is an outstanding 94 metres tall, making it the tallest building in Limerick.

Before the city’s modern, trendy eateries popped up along with a host of hotels, Limerick’s dining scene centred around Ireland’s social focus point, the pub. Limerick’s pubs are still the best places to try traditional Irish fare at reasonable prices as well as live entertainment, with many establishments dating to the early 18th-century and boasting a charming old world atmosphere.

Local cuisine traditionally focused on meat, fish and potatoes but has now expanded to include a sophisticated list of fresh vegetables and international ingredients. Despite this new finesse to Irish cooking, trying traditional Irish dishes comes highly recommended. Favourite local dishes includes colcannon, a potato, kale, garlic and cabbage dish, and Irish stew, often made with lamb, potato, onions, carrots and parsley.

Limerick has a nice collection of stores along the pedestrianised Cruise's Street that will keep any avid shopper happy. From department stores like Debenhams to clothing outlets like Topshop and River Island, the city has all that you need in the way of clothing, cosmetics and homewares.

Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre was previously one of only a handful of small indoor malls in Limerick until the recent introduction of Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle and Coonagh Cross Shopping Centre. The former has 90 retailers vying for attention while the latter is one of the biggest malls in the region.

For Irish souvenirs, the Hunt Museum Shop has a nice selection of collectibles related to Limerick. The city is famous for its ham, lace and toffees, and all of these items can be picked up in the city centre along Patrick, William and O'Connell streets. Woollen and crystal items are also popular buys. Cornmarket has wonderfully fresh local produce as well as second-hand goods like books and clothing.