"Heart of the Mid-West"

Limerick is a River and University City located at the lowest bridging point of the River Shannon. It has been a centre of trade since Viking times, and is one of the oldest chartered cities in Ireland. The original city occupied a defensive island site located between the Shannon and its tributary, the Abbey River. This area of King's Island forms the historic core of what is now the third largest urban area in the State, and the industrial, commercial, adminitrative, and cultural capital of the Mid-West Region. (ref: Limerick - Profile of a changing City, Limerick City Development Board, 2005).

The sky line of Limerick City has been transformed in recent years with additions such as Ireland's tallest hotel, The Clarion and the River Point development by Fordmount Properties. Current exciting developments that are on-going in the city include the Opera Centre as well as the proposals for Arthur's Quay Park. Limerick City Council recently unveiled a major €50 million Regeneration Plan that will transform Limerick into one of Europe’s most vibrant and living centres.The proposed plan includes the remodelling and pedestrianisation of Limerick’s centre and the development of a new Orbital Route that will still give traffic access to the heart of the city. Visit City Council's wesbite for more infomation. On a national level the government has committed to the largest regeneration project in Ireland to address issues of social exclusion in parts of the City. For more information on the City's Regeneration please visit their website.  

The Limerick Co-ordination Office has been established to promote the undoubted attractions of the City and the showcase the city's core strengths. It has an un-to-date calander of events that are on in the city as well as tracking all the positive projects which are underway.

Today the city and its environs are fast growing and all the vital signs - economic, cultural and social - paint a picture of good health.

How did Limerick get its name?

According to Mainchin Seoighe in his book Portrait of Limerick (1982) the name 'very likely comes from 'Loimeanach', meaning 'bare marsh', a name that originally applied to part of the shoreland of the Shannon immediately below the present city.' Readers should consult Larry Walsh's article 'The name Limerick' in the Limerick Anthology (1996) for a lengthy discussion and review of the literature.