Travel Guide Limerick

Limerick isn't doing so well. It's not as bad as Frank McCourt describes in his bestseller Angela's Ashes, in which he describes Limerick as poor, unhealthy and dangerous, but it's not the friendliest place in Ireland either. That said, Limerick is the rugby capital of Ireland, and the Munster team is right at home here. The city is currently undergoing a cultural and economic renaissance. In its lively streets, you'll find numerous stores, pubs and interesting galleries and museums.The historic and cultural part of Limerick is concentrated on King's Island, north of the city center. The confluence of the River Shannon and the River Abbey marks its entrance, at the northern end of O'Connell Street (later Patrick Street). On your way in from the center, don't miss the tourist office, with its wealth of information on the area, and the Hunt Museum. The center, or Irish Town, is of little interest.To the south is Newtown Pery, with the railway and bus station, and a pleasant park housing the town's art gallery and a beautifully restored Georgian house open to visitors.In recent years, the city has undertaken to enhance the quays and make them more accessible to pedestrians. Modern hotels have taken advantage of the river views, as have a number of cafés.Limerick is divided into three districts: English Town (towards the cathedral), Irish Town (towards the Custom House) and Newtown Pery, crossed by O'Connell Street.Little Ellen Street. This is an alley in the heart of Limerick, reached from Denmark Street, perpendicular to O'Connell Street. It's home to a number of unpretentious but affordable restaurants with terraces.Georgian houses. A line of six Georgian houses built around 1830 by the Pery Square Tontine company, adjacent to the park, is well worth a look, considered to be the most refined ensemble of its time in Ireland.