Discover the Charm: Top 9 Amazing Fun Facts About Limerick, Ireland

1. Limerick's Lucky Running Shoes

Who needs a pot of gold when you've got a pair of lucky running shoes? Limerick's own version of Catch Me If You Can, with a dash of Riverdance: The Regeneron Great Limerick Run, is the fastest growing participatory event in Ireland, registering over 14,000 race entrants in 2023, and inspiring 49% of respondents in a Limerick City Council survey to get off the couch and lace up their sneakers for exercise.
Source => greatlimerickrun.com

2. Mary Immaculate College's Sticky Education

Who says higher education can't stick like glue? Limerick's Mary Immaculate College will have you singing songs of learning, Irish style: Boasting a student retention rate of 95%, it stands as one of the highest in Ireland, offering over 13 degree programmes, numerous postgraduate opportunities, and professional development courses since 1898.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Dive into the chilling Irish tradition at The Forty Foot, Dublin's historic bathing pool where brave locals plunge into the cold sea, reaping physical and mental health benefits! 🌊❄️💪

=> Fun Facts about Dublin

3. Georgian Limerick's Tax-Funded Treasures

When the streets of Limerick were paved in tax dollars and Georgian dreams, little did the people know they were laying the groundwork for highways, byways, and...hospitals? Seriously now: funded by local trade taxes during the Georgian era, Limerick saw the construction of noteworthy public buildings like the House of Industry in 1774, which served as a poorhouse and infirmary, and St. Joseph's Hospital in 1827, while also enjoying a fruitful trans-Atlantic trade as a thriving port city.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Limerick School of Art: Move Over, DaVinci!

Sure, the Mona Lisa is great and all, but have you ever seen a Limerick masterpiece? Prepare to feast your eyes on perfection at the Limerick School of Art and Design: originally founded in 1852 as the School of Ornamental Art, this creative powerhouse now boasts three campuses, a part of Technological University of the Shannon, and trains students in disciplines ranging from fabric painting to graphic design. Who needs DaVinci when you've got Limerick, am I right?
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Pigtown Festival: Feasting on Bacon History

When pigs fly – or rather, parade: Limerick's Pigtown Festival is a tasty tribute to the county's food heritage and the bacon industry, featuring Michelin-starred dining, culinary demos, historical walks, and a delightful Pig Parade. Cheers to bringing home the bacon in style!
Source => thetaste.ie

6. Viking Influencers of Limerick

If Vikings shared Limerick's social media account back in the day, they'd have "craftsmen extraordinaire and influencers since 922 AD" in their bio: Limerick City, founded by the Vikings in 922 AD, boasts of St Mary's Cathedral as the oldest building still fulfilling its original purpose, even having its own foreign policy which led to a war with Galway in 1524 before settling with a peace treaty.
Source => limerick.ie

7. From "Stab City" to Bustling Art Scene

In Limerick, they say that the city is mighty and full of wit, but don't put on your dancing shoes just yet: Limerick, Ireland, once infamously known as "stab city" due to an overwhelming amount of gang violence, has since turned a new leaf and is now known as a vibrant destination with a rich history and bustling art scene.
Source => theguardian.com

8. The Hunt Museum: Uncommon Georgian Treasure

In Limerick, you won't need to embark on a global treasure hunt to find world-class art; just step into an unassuming Georgian home: The Hunt Museum houses an awe-inspiring collection that boasts works from the likes of Picasso and Gauguin, all thanks to John and Gertrude Hunt's passion for art and antiques.
Source => tripadvisor.com

9. Selfies on the Sylvester O'Halloran Footbridge

Why did the tourist cross the bridge? To get to the better view, and maybe snap a selfie or two: In Limerick, Ireland, you'll find the Sylvester O'Halloran Footbridge, an architectural delight famous for its unique design and fantastic vistas over the Abbey River, dedicated to a renowned 18th-century local surgeon.
Source => limerickslife.com