Introducing Limerick
Limerick:
Past Master... S
et on the mighty River Shannon, Limerick tells a compelling story; of a journey from Viking settlement to cosmopolitan city.
It is thought that Luimneach (the Irish name for Limerick) initially referred to the general area along the banks of the Shannon Estuary, then known as ‘Loch Luimnigh.’ The earliest provable settlement in Limerick dates back to 812AD, but most likely there were people living here for centuries before that. The Vikings sailed up the Shannon and took charge of the land, settling on an island - later known as ‘King’s Island.’ The Vikings and the Irish fought over the site, and it was eventually taken over by Brian Ború’s forces in the late 10th century. In the 1170s, the Normans ousted the Irish. Limerick was granted its first charter and mayor by the then Lord of Ireland, later English King John I, in 1197 - a full decade before London was granted its charter! King John ordered a castle to be built and that was finished by around 1210. By this time, the city was divided into an ‘Irishtown’ 4|
and an ‘Englishtown’ around which strong walls were built. These ruins still exist.
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Limerick is a compelling story; from Viking settlement to cosmopolitan city
Limerick’s motto is a quote from Virgil’s Aeneid and translates as “an ancient city well versed in the arts of war.” The city was under siege at least three times in the 17th century alone - the last siege a bitter battle between the forces of William of Orange and James II, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. The historic treaty granted Catholic rights. Limerick flourished as a port and trading centre. The Georgian era is responsible for some of Limerick’s finest buildings, many still flourishing today, and the city had several The Best Of Ireland Series
booming industries such as lace, flour milling, clothing and bacon (one of Limerick’s nicknames is ‘Pigtown’). Limerick played a significant part in the War of Independence with several notable incidents - especially those in the latter months of the war before a truce was called. In 1919, the Limerick Trades and Labour Council organised a general strike which became known as the ‘Limerick Soviet.’ A radical challenge to society and to British rule; the Soviet even went so far as printing its own currency! Highlights for the local economy were the founding of nearby Shannon Airport and the growth of the manufacturing sector in the city, both of which still have a strong presence. Limerick still has many small independent businesses ,too, and a reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship. Limerick is investing over €1 billion in enterprise and investment infrastructure as part of the Limerick 2030 Vision: An Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick, a 20-year action plan that aims to transform Limerick through the economic, social and
