The early Medieval City was established on the Southern tip of King's Island. The Island is formed by the Shannon and Abbey Rivers. The City which was walled around 1185 then became known as English Town. Those who could not or did not wish to embrace the Anglo Norman Culture were forced to move to the opposite side of the river. This area which was not fortified until 1320 was called Irish Town. Further expansion began in 1769 with the planning and building of the Georgian City. The Hunt Museum, just across Mathew Bridge is a fine example of Georgian Architecture. Also in this area are the new Marina and the Arthur Quay Park.

The Administrative Heart of the City

From earliest times the administrative centre of the city was situated in English Town first with the construction of King John's Castle and later with the establishment of the Tholsel, which was the city's first town hall, build in 1449. Though the city has experienced many changes over the centuries, the administrative centre of the city is still situated on the Island. The present City Hall building on Merchant's Quay was built in 1990 not far from the Thingmount (a Viking counsel chamber and court of justice) where it is reported that the Vikings established the first local authority for Limerick City over a millennium ago. 

1. Merchant’s Quay 

This is the site of the Long Dock, the supposed landing place of the Vikings. Originally known as the Great Quay it was first constructed in 1500. In the 1680?s the entrance was 100ft wide and protected by two towers while the wall was 600ft long.

2. The Potato Market

The Potato Market was built on the site of the Medieval Long Dock in 1843, it was restored by Limerick Civic Trust in the 1980s. From the viewing gallery one can see the Sylvester O Halloran Footbridge named after the distinguished surgeon, historian and antiquarian who died in his house near St. Mary's Cathedral in 1807.

3. The County Court House

The County Court House was built in 1810, it replaced an older court house built in 1732 on the site of the Medieval Franciscan Abbey founded in 1279 which stood behind Mary's Street.

4. City Hall

The former city gaol occupied this site until it was demolished in 1988 but most of its eastern facade has been retained and incorporated within the fabric of the modern civic offices. There is a riverside promenade extending northwards behind City Hall.

5. St. Mary’s Cathedral

Commissioned by Domhnall Mor O'Brien c.1168. The cathedral is the oldest building still used for its intended purpose. Without doubt this is one of the most important medieval buildings in the country.

6. Old City Court House/Gerald Griffin Memorial School

It is thought that the original building constructed in 1640 was built on the site of a 13th century Augustinian Abbey. The present structure was completed in 1765 at a cost of £700. Named after Gerard Griffin novelist, poet and later Christian Brother, who purchased it in 1845. It opened as a Christian Brother's school in 1846.

7. Bourke’s House

All that remains of this medieval fortified tower house is part of the interior wall. Domhnall Mor O’Brien, King of Thomond built the house, after he donated his palace to the church for the foundation of St. Mary's Cathedral. The fountain was added in 1860. It is called Bourke’s house after a former owner, John Bourke, a catholic Alderman in 1650s.

8. Island Road/Remains of the City Walls/Sally Ports

Island Road roughly follows the route of the old city walls. The walls erected in 1237, separated the citizens of the city from the other inhabitants on the Island. What remains of the walls, dismantled in 1760, can be seen here. The Sally Ports, were used to attack the enemy from within the city. Another short section of the wall can be seen behind the Villiers Alms Houses (No. 12) fronting on to the River Shannon.


9. St. Saviour’s Dominican Friary

The Friary is said to have been founded c. 1227. In 1644 it became a Papal University for the Catholic Confederacy. Only one wall and some 15th century carvings remain. Folklore has it that the Martyred Bishop Terrance Albert O’Brien (now Blessed) is buried here.

10. The Bishop’s Palace

Limerick Civic Trust dates the building to the 17th century and considers it to be the oldest standing domestic building in English Town. This was the official residence for the Church of Ireland Bishops until they moved to a new house in Henry Street in 1784. 

11. St Munchin’s Church

 
While the existing church was erected in 1827, there is said to have been a church on this site since 561. The ancient parish church of St. Munchin may have served as a cathedral long before St. Mary’s was built. A unique feature of the church was that it retained an episcopal throne up to the 19th century. St. Munchin, who died sometime toward the end of the 5th century, is said to be buried here. The present church built in 1827 was deconsecrated in 1968. In was in disrepair when restored in 1988/89 by Limerick Civic Trust. 

12. Villiers’ Alms Houses

 
Mrs. Hannah Villiers endowed the buildings on this site in her will in 1821. The construction took place in the Bishop’s Garden in 1823. Of interest from a medieval perspective are the remains of the two towers, which today form part of the boundary fronting on to the river.

13. Thomond Bridge

The original bridge, which connected King's Island with the Co. Clare side of the river, was built sometime between 1185 and 1210. This structure collapsed in 1292 killing 80 men. The bridge was then reconstructed with fourteen unequal arches. Unfortunately, while the bridge was sturdy it was often flooded at high tide. The present structure was built between 1838 and 1840.

14. Toll House

This humourous Gothic Style folly with exaggerated crenellations was designed and built by the architect James Pain around 1840. James and his brother George were also responsible for the design and construction of Thomond Bridge.


15. The North Munster Masonic Centre

The Freemasons have been in Limerick since the first lodge was founded in 1732. This building, now under restoration, is the first building in the city to be owned by the Freemasons. The building when completed will house a museum, a library, will be open to the public and available for local community use.



16. King John's Castle

Average visit 1 hour 30 minutes The castle was built by Prince John of England c. 1210 later to become King. To protect and maintain Norman power in Limerick and Munster. Today the restored castle is open to the public and houses an imaginative exhibition of the history of the Castle and the area.

17. Limerick Museum

Average visit 30 minutes, closed Mondays The museum contains over 30,000 items relating to the history of the city. Amongst the treasures are Limerick Silver of the 18th and 19th century and unique Limerick Lace.

18. Castle Lane

Castle Lane, represents a range of architectural styles through the centuries. The Lane connects Nicholas Street to the River Shannon.

19. Nicholas Street

Originally known as Main Street in Medieval times. The street is now named after St Nicholas of Myra, better known as Santa Claus. In times past the local parish church of St. Nicholas stood on the site now occupied by a local business called Styx.

20. The Widows Alms Houses

Built in 1691, in the protective shadow of King John's Castle, the Widows Alms Houses originally housed the families of deceased soldiers garrisoned at the Castle. In 1970 a local group restored these houses. They were subsequently renovated by Limerick Corporation in 1993.

21. The Exchange Wall

The exchange was built in 1673. This impressive facade of hewn stone with its seven Tuscan columns linked by a handsome balustrade is all that remains of the original building. The structure was rebuilt in 1702 and 1778. It fell into disuse when the new town hall was constructed across the bridge in Rutland Street in 1846. A brass plate on top of a carved stone pedestal known as 'The Nail' from the original exchange can be seen in the Limerick Museum (No. 17).

22. Fannings Castle

Built in the late 16th or early 17th century. Originally known as Whitamore's or Limerick Castle, but colloquially called Fanning's Castle after Dominic Fanning merchant and Mayor of Limerick who lived here and was executed by the Cromwellians in 1651. Patrick Sarsfield is said to have stayed here as a guest of Francis Whitamore the then Mayor during the 1691 Williamite Siege.

23. The Tholsel

The Tholsel founded in 1449 was the earliest City Hall, later to become a jail.
This year the foundation of the Tholsel’s laid
Where justice in those days was well displayed
The use diverted, now tis the common jail
Where men do lie, not wanting crimes - but bail. (Anon)

24. Barrington's Hospital/Georges Quay

The Barrington family, known for their good works spent £10,000 on the building of the hospital in 1829. Although it functioned as a general hospital, it specialised in the care of children. The hospital closed as a public institution in 1988 although part of it is still used today for its intended purpose albeit as a private clinic.