Limerick Guide
St. John’s Cathedral Cathedral Place 061-414624 www.limerickcathedral.com
One of the most iconic sights on the Limerick skyline is the magnificent spire of St. John’s Cathedral. The foundation stone was laid in 1856 and its crowning glory, the magnificent tower, was completed in 1882. The Catholic cathedral— which replaced a church founded in the 1753—was designed by English architect of note, Thomas Hardwick.
The Treaty Stone Thomond Bridge
No visit would be complete without seeing Limerick’s most famous landmark, the Treaty Stone. According to lore, the Treaty of Limerick was signed on this very stone on 3 October 1691 within sight of two opposing armies on Thomond Bridge. The treaty ended the second Siege of Limerick and a bitter war between William III and his father-in-law, King James II. The Jacobites sheltered in Limerick and were besieged by the opposition. Jacobite commander, Patrick Sarsfield,
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No visit would be complete without seeing Limerick’s most famous landmark, the Treaty Stone
Bishop’s Palace
St. John’s Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, to give it its full name, has many interesting features. The exterior, in Victorian Gothic style, was influenced by Salisbury Cathedral and was built by local builders, Wallace & Sons, out of Limerick limestone. The altar table is of Limerick marble and there are numerous fine examples of stained glass windows, statues and eccelesiactical art within. Six bishops are interred here. The tower, designed by local firm, Messrs. Hennessey, measures around 81 metres (including a cross atop it) and is one of the tallest church spires in Ireland. The bell was carried from Dublin via canal at the time. Although it has undergone restoration over the years, the cathedral has been in continuous use since it opened in 1861. Mass times are available on the website.
Church Street also The People’s Museum of Limerick, no. 2 Pery Square 061-313399 www.limerickcivictrust.ie www.peoplesmuseum.ie Bishop’s Palace was painstakingly restored by Limerick Civic Trust and now stands as a testament to their great work in the city as the organisation’s headquarters. When the trust acquired the building in 1986, it had been vacant for two decades and was condemned, but LCT would not let such a prominent part of the city’s history go to ruin. The corner site, just across from the castle on which the building rests, is a fixture on early maps. The building today is an early 18th century reproduction in the Palladian style - the only example of its kind in Limerick and one of the oldest buildings in ‘Englishtown.’ The massive building has a classical facade and doorway; it also has a unique balcony window on its gable end. The interior is lavishly decorated with period features like fireplaces and a stained glass window bearing the trust crest. It incorporates items The Best Of Ireland Series
The Treaty Stone
who sued for peace. The treaty agreed terms, including tolerance of the Catholic religion in Ireland. The Treaty Stone is thought to be a stone step used to mount a horse and has had several resting places over the years. It currently resides directly across the river from the castle.
salvaged by the trust such as a mill wheel, a gothic entryway and an iron gate. Under the Acts of Settlement after the Cromwellian Wars of 1649-51, it was granted to the Church of Ireland bishops. The bishops are believed to have occupied the building until 1784, after which it became privately owned. The trust’s HQ is the starting point for many projects for its mission: “Improvement of our environment through positive action.” Limerick Civic Trust runs walking tours and other events.
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