Drawing visitors with its vibrant cultural and historic attractions, the mid-western city of Limerick is one Irish gem that shouldn’t be overlooked. Surrounded by lush countryside and divided by the pretty River Shannon, the city is one of Ireland’s premier tourist destinations.

Recounted in Frank McCourt’s bestseller Angela’s Ashes, Limerick has come a long way since its early 20th-century squalor. A new found civic pride can be felt on the streets, in the trendy cafés and traditional pubs. Adding cultural depth to Limerick’s cityscape is its fine collection of museums and art galleries as well as its Norman castle, King John’s Castle, and St Mary’s Cathedral.

Just outside the city are further sights of interest including the medieval village of Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest communities. From the castle ruins and thatched roofs of Adare visitors can make a beeline for the mysterious archaeological site near Lough Gur, where some of the country’s oldest traces of human settlement stand.

The dining scene in Limerick is focused on the city’s pubs, where live music, Guinness and traditional Irish pub food are served with passion. If all the rich food leaves you worrying about your waistline, everything from fishing to Gaelic sports can be entertained in the city, which enjoys strong support for rugby.

Accommodation consists of mostly midrange bed-and-breakfast style lodgings on the outskirts of the city, but more modern centrally located hotels can be found along Ennis Road and the riverfront. The city can get busy during annual festivals so it’s worthwhile booking accommodation online in advance.

Getting to Limerick is straightforward, with nearby Shannon International Airport handling the region’s air traffic. At just 15 minutes by car from Limerick, the airport is a convenient gateway to the city from European and North American destinations and is well-connected by bus. The city is also well-linked to other major Irish cities by road, bus and train.

Once in Limerick, cycling and navigating the city on foot are the most popular means of getting around while local buses, taxis and hire cars are on hand for daytrips to Adare and Lough Gur.

Limerick experiences mild weather year round with winter temperatures rarely falling below freezing and summer being warm enough to swim outdoors. Despite the mild weather, rain remains a constant threat throughout the year. Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit if you want to avoid the summer crowds and appreciate mild climatic conditions.

The peak tourist season in Limerick is in the summer months of June to August. Warm, sunny days often see the mercury reach 20˚C but this favourable weather also means greater crowds. Winter is a much less popular time to plan a trip to Limerick as short sunlight hours, chilly temperatures and damp weather put a dampener on sightseeing.