Limerick Guide
Fota Wildlife
Rock of Cashel
Bunratty Castle
The Burren
The Rock of Cashel
Fota Wildlife Park
Overlooking the town of Cashel, there is a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone. These include a 12th century round tower, high cross and Romanesque chapel, a 13th century Gothic cathedral, a 15th century castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars choral. This exciting stroll through centuries of history on a single site is complemented through an audiovisual show and exhibitions. Guided tours are available but visitors are advised to check times etc.
Around 20 minutes from Cork City, Fota Island is home to a 75-acre wildlife park featuring both flora and fauna of Irish and more exotic origins. You can see animals like gibbons, wallabies, prairie dogs, monkeys, tapirs, cheetahs, ostriches, lemurs, giraffes, flamingos, kangaroos, zebras, seals, bison and more. The park is also home to many tree and plant species. There are tours and activity days that make for a fun family day out.
Cashel, Co. Tipperary 062-61437
Scattery Island
Kilrush, Co. Clare 085-2505512 / 085-2505514 Just one hour from Limerick city and located on the Wild Atlantic Way, just off Kilrush in Co. Clare, Scattery Island has a fascinating history, and was once the home of legendry monsters, medieval saints, Irish chieftains, Vikings, adventurers’ raiders and traders. The island features a wealth of historic sites, including five Churches, a Cathedral, a magnificent Round Tower, Napoleonic War Artillery Battery and a working Lighthouse.
Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork 021-4812678
Blarney Castle Blarney, Co. Cork 021-4385252
A few kilometres outside Cork City lies the world famous Blarney Castle and stone. The current keep was built by the MacCarthy clan and dates from the 15th century but earlier fortifications are thought to have been based on the same site. It has a fascinating history, with sieges and tales galore. Large parts of the castle are intact. At its top, the main attraction is the ‘Stone of Eloquence’—better known as ‘The Blarney Stone.’ Legend has it that if you kiss it, you will get “the gift of the gab”!
The Best Of Ireland Series
Killarney National Park Killarney, Co. Kerry 064-6631440 Ireland’s very first national park now covers almost 25,000 acres. This beautiful expanse includes the Lakes of Killarney, lush forests of oak and yew trees, boglands, mountains and is home to the country’s only native herd of Red Deer. Other highlights include historical sites like Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and the mansion, Muckross House and Gardens, onetime home to the family that donated land to found the national park. Nearby beaches
Several seaside towns and villages are within reach of Limerick by car, so if the weather is fine, many people head to the beach. In Clare, Lahinch, Kilkee, Spanish Point and Fanore are some of the most popular beaches for both swimming and watersports like surfing. In Kerry, Ballybunion beach and others like Banna Strand near Tralee are favourites with holidaymakers.
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