Limerick City….some historical facts for visitors:
Limerick was founded by the Vikings around 922 AD.
St Mary’s Cathedral, founded in the eleventh century, is the oldest building in Limerick.
The Normans captured Limerick in 1195.
In 1413 King Henry V granted a charter which made Limerick an independent city-state.
In the 1530s, the Tudors brought major changes to Limerick
The city endured four major sieges in 1642, 1651, 1690 and 1691. and after the fourth siege the Treaty of Limerick was signed.
From the 1760s the walls of Limerick were taken down to allow the city to expand.
The nineteenth century saw great changes in the city with the introduction of the fire service, gas supply, water supply, social housing, sewerage, public health and first public library.
Limerick was famous for traditional industries such as its bacon factories, flour mills, dairy products, lace manufacturing and clothing.
Limerick developed into a modern city over the past fifty years building third level colleges including The University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary I Teacher Training College. During those years many of the traditional industries were replaced by multi-national companies.
Incidentally, Limerick gives its name to “The limerick” a popular five line humorous poem.
What to see: St. Mary’s Cathedral, The Walls of Limerick, King John’s Castle, The Hunt Museum, The University Concert Hall, Lime Tree Theatre, The City Museum, and lots more. For all you need to know about Limerick City please click on: www.limerick.ie