Heritage Site's And Stately Home's

Limerick museum has a fine selection of artifacts associated with county Limerick the Shannon valley and indeed many other places in Ireland. On the ground floor is a collection of photographs of the city in the late nineteenth century, memorabilia of the nineteenth century nationalist movement, exhibits relating to the Irish war of independence and the civil war (1916-22), as well as samples of Limerick lace and silver.

This museum houses one of the finest collections of artifacts although not all relate exclusively to Ireland. The prehistoric exhibits contains a bronze age shield one of only two in Ireland, a bronze age cauldron , a gold torc, rings, and pins. There are several examples of bronze age funerary pottery, and many iron age pins and brooches.

There are a few items of Viking jewelry. The early Christian items include a collection of eight and ninth century bronze bells as well as the Cashel Bell. Also on display is the seventeenth century Galway chalice.

Dating to at least 3000 B.C. Remains of Neolithic and bronze age huts were excavated here and the information gathered used to construct the two thatched houses, which together form the interpretive center and museum.

The center contains a selection of stone and bronze age artifacts. There is a audiovisual show explaining the site.

The village of Adare once belonged to the Kildare Fitzgeralds and then to the earls of Dunravan. The castle built in 1832 in the gothic revival style by the 2nd earl is now a hotel, apparently the earl done most of the design work himself, with later additions by James Pain and W H Pugin.

The Limerick Language Centre provides tuition in English as a Foreign Language to Adults 17+ on a year-round basis. We offer lessons in general English, private tuition, beginners courses, courses for au pairs, teacher training for native speakers and also intensive language courses.

We are situated in a residential side-street of Limerick city, in a Georgian house located just 3 minutes walk from the main shopping area. Limerick is a friendly city of just over 85,000 inhabitants.

Because it is Ireland's third largest city, it offers everything one looks for in a major city while retaining a small town atmosphere. Studying at the Limerick Language Centre offers the chance for an international as well as an Irish experience.

A modern University with an international reputation for excellence. We provide high quality language programmes for adults including: *Year-Round Programme in General English (flexible enrolment). *Summer Programme (General English Communication, Preparation for University, English for Academic Purposes, Business English, In-Service Courses for Teachers). *Foundation Programme. *Custom-Designed Programmes for groups (e.g. Aviation, Business, Technical English).

We offer a professional, friendly atmosphere and a supportive learning environment to ensure that you receive maximum benefit from your course. Campus life provides valuable opportunities to mix with Irish and other international students and to use your English.

Stonehall visitor farm is a must for all visitors to the Shannon Region. Located in a tranquil and beautiful rural setting, this tourist attraction allows the visitor to experience first hand the enjoyment and fun of a wide variety of animals in a secure and pleasant setting.

Suitable for all ages, a visit is assured to be an enjoyable and educational event.

Historical Exhibition - giving the history of Adare in 5 different languages dating back to the 1200's. Also housed in the centre are very attractive craft shops, Tourist Information Office and a 70 seater restaurant. Desmond Castle Tours - Guided tours of Desmond Castle have commenced

Traditional farm with a large selection of farm animals including Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Fowl & Exotic Birds.

Facilities include a playground, picnic area and horse & cart riding.

Honey Farm is where the bees are farmed and the gardens are planted with a wide variety of plants and trees to provide the raw materials for the honey.

The production hives are all located within a 15 mile radius of the farm. The bee garden is a successful attempt to put back in to the countryside what modern farming is rapidly taking out of it.

It has created an area of blossoms, berries and fruit which have established an ecological cycle that interegrates the three kingdoms of plant, animal and man.

In 1709 several families of German origin settled in Ireland. Known as the Palatines, they established roots mainly in County Limerick. This exhibition tells their story

The Visitor Centre at Lough Gur tells the story of the pre-Celtic settlers of Ireland who farmed and lived in this peaceful valley. The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwelling, rituals, and burial sites as well as their tools and implements, many of which can be seen in the visitor centre.

The first co-operative creamery was set up here in 1889, by Sir Horace Plunkett.

Experience 800 years of history in Limerick City. King John’s Castle is situated in the heart of Limerick’s Medieval Heritage Precinct, on the River Shannon at “Kings Island”.

The Castle was built between 1200 and 1210. It was repaired and extended many times over the following centuries. King John’s Castle remains a most impressive Anglo-Norman fortification. It retains many of the pioneering features which made its construction unique for its day. Its massive gatehouse, battlements and corner towers await exploration! Features include: • 13th Century Anglo-Norman Castle with panoramic views of Limerick City, the River Shannon and surrounding countryside.

The visitor centre contains an imaginative historical exhibition, which recounts the history of the castle in dramatic fashion. • Archeological excavations situated beneath the interpretative building include the earliest evidence of settled life in Limerick and evidence of siege mines.

The courtyard displays some of the trades and traditions of the 16th century. Visitors can also see the 13th century undercroft of theofficers’ quarters which were excavated in 1993-1995. • King John, as “Lord of Ireland”, minted his own coins and the Royal moneyer would have struck the coins in the Castle Mint. Exciting archeological excavations:

The visitor enters another world when exploring the exciting archeological excavations at King John’s Castle. These excavations have revealed pre-Norman houses which predate the castle. There is also evidence of the traumatic Castle siege of 1642. Mines, and countermines used to destroy them, were exposed.

In one clay tunnel, a period pistol was found. A reconstruction of one of the siege mines, also in situ, is an added attraction, enabling the visitor to experience something of the fearful atmosphere of those times. A life size statue of the Limerick poet Michael Hogan (1826 - 1899), Bard of Thomond is outside King Johns Castle.

The Hunt Collection is an internationally important collection of some 2000 original works of art and antiquity. It contains a dazzling assemblage of objects which trace the development of the decorative arts. Donated to the people of Ireland by John and Gertrude Hunt, their generosity ranks highly in the nations history.

Housed in the elegant 18th century Custom House, the Hunt Collection reflects not only the celtic past but also includes important pieces such as the Leonardo da Vinci horse, the Mary Queen of Scots cross and one of the original ''30 pieces of silver''.

You can travel back in time in the museums authentic 1940''s cinema, while watching the award winning film ''Atlantic Conquest''. The museum features the original Terminal Building, Radio and Weather Room (complete with transmitters, receivers and Morse code equipment).