Limerick’s ancient castles are a focal point for sightseers to the city, with the 13th-century King John’s Castle being one of the country’s finest medieval castles. A short drive from the city will take you to the even more ancient remains at Lough Gur, where the 4,000-year-old Grange stone circle is a highlight. Georgian houses and St Mary’s Cathedral make up the city’s other architectural draws.

Glin Castle
Inhabited by the current Knight of Glin, this 700-year-old castle rests on a 395-acre estate that encompasses manicured gardens, lush forest and pretty farmland. It is possible to spend the night here in royal accommodation, offering visitors a perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of the otherwise private collection of 18th-century Irish memorabilia and furniture. 
Phone: +353 68 34173; www.glincastle.com  

Georgian House and Garden
This Georgian house on Pery Square is one of Limerick’s architectural gems, having been restored to its original glory and today protected by the Limerick Civic Trust. Visitors can tour its stark servants’ quarters and lofty bedrooms as well as its pretty manicured garden and experience the grandeur of a Georgian home. 
Website: www.limerickcivictrust.ie/georgian/index.html  

King John’s Castle
The focal point of Limerick’s historic English City is this 13th-century castle, commissioned by King John of England. Built on King’s Island on the banks of the Shannon River, the castle is today one of Ireland’s finest examples of a medieval fortress, and its walls, towers and fortifications can be explored by the public. Inside, visitors can tour exhibits on the castle’s history or climb the towers for sweeping views of the city. 
Phone: +353 61 411201 

Lough Gur
The remains of an ancient settlement dating to 3,000 BC rest on the banks of Lough Gur, 18 kilometres south of Limerick. Inhabited from Neolithic to medieval times, the settlement is one of Ireland’s most significant archaeological sites. A highlight is the 4,000-year-old Grange stone circle, a collection of 113 stones placed in a circle, while evidence of Stone Age houses and ring forts is also present. The onsite visitor centre provides useful information and maps. 
Phone: +353 61 361511 (Lough Gur Visitor Centre)

St Mary’s Cathedral
Resting in English City on the former site of a 12th-century Munster palace, this 800-year-old cathedral is one of Ireland’s oldest and features a Romanesque doorway (West Door) from the site’s previous palace, the coffin lid of a Munster king and a pre-Reformation stone altar. The building is today used by the Church of Ireland as an Anglican place of worship. 
Phone: +353 61 310 293

University of Limerick
Established in 1972, the University of Limerick is a modern institution that became recognised as a university in 1989, making it the first new university established since the formation of the republic. Its attractive riverside campus lies at the heart of the 600-acre National Technological Park just a few kilometres from Limerick city centre. Visitors are welcome to visit the campus. 
Phone: +353 61 202700; www.ul.ie