Shannon River with Thomond Bridge and King Johns Castle

Getty Images/Perspectives

King John's Castle

Top choice in Limerick City


An obdurate and brooding Norman mass looming over the River Shannon, Limerick's showpiece castle, with its vast curtain walls and towers, was built on the orders of King John of England between 1200 and 1212. The massive twin gate towers still stand to their full height. A multimedia experience that provides an excellent potted history of Ireland in general, and Limerick in particular, is followed by exposed archaeology in the undercroft and a tour of the courtyard and fortifications.

Upstairs from the cafe, don't miss the exhibitions on the castle's archaeology and the development of Georgian Limerick, or the view from the top of the gate towers, though the best views of the castle itself are from the riverside walk on the far side of the Shannon. Book online for discounts.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Limerick City attractions

1. Bishop's Palace

0.04 MILES

The 18th-century Bishop’s Palace was once home to the city's Protestant bishops, and now houses the offices of Limerick Civic Trust, a conservation body…

2. Toll House

0.05 MILES

Crenellated Gothic-style folly next to Thomond Bridge, dating to the 1840s.

3. St Mary's Cathedral

0.12 MILES

Limerick's ancient cathedral was founded in 1168 by Donal Mór O'Brien, king of Munster. Parts of the 12th-century Romanesque western doorway, nave and…

4. Treaty Stone

0.13 MILES

The Treaty Stone marks the spot on the west bank of the River Shannon where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691, guaranteeing religious freedom for…

5. Hunt Museum

0.24 MILES

Although named for its benefactors, this museum, opened in 1997, is also a treasure hunt. Visitors are encouraged to open drawers and poke around the…

6. Limerick City Gallery of Art

0.76 MILES

Limerick's art gallery adjoins the peaceful People's Park in the heart of Georgian Limerick. Among its permanent collection of paintings from the last 300…

7. Frank McCourt Museum

0.79 MILES

This museum dedicated to Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, can be found in his former school building in Limerick's Georgian quarter. The museum…

8. Thomond Park Stadium

0.79 MILES

From 1995 until 2007, the Munster province rugby team was undefeated in this legendary stadium; it was also the venue for their famous victories over New…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "ireland/county-limerick/limerick-city/attractions/king-john-s-castle/a/poi-sig/490858/359723",
      "destination": "Limerick-City",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Ireland",
      "city": "Limerick-City",
      "position": "superzone"
    }