Local Attractions
the Shannon Region
Limerick is situated on one of Europe’s finest Rivers, The River Shannon. The River City is an excellent centre for shopping, dining and holds the reputation as the sporting capital of Ireland. Our now famous Thomond Park plays host to the Heineken Cup European Champions – Munster Rugby Team.
County Limerick has a large range of visitor attractions that include Adare Heritage Centre, The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Curragchase Forest Park & Lough Gur, habitat of Neolithic Man.The Shannon Region also boast over 25 top quality golf courses.
With its superb location the Greenhills Hotel Limerick, is an ideal base for you to explore the delights of the Shannon & Mid West Regions. We have included details of just some of what Limerick and its surrounding area has to offer.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Just a 5-minute drive from the Greenhills Hotel, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and a wonderful experience for all that visit. Built in 1425, the majestic Castle was restored in 1957 to it's former medieval splendour. The Folk Park gives the visitor a chance to see interpretation of early Irish Life from Medieval to Irish Cottage living. At night time, the Castle is the impressive setting for it's world famous medieval banquets which are held year-round subject to demand.
Bunratty Winery: Situated in the shadow of Bunratty Castle visitors are welcome to the winery and showroom where you can taste and purchase the famous Mead and Potcheen. Open to visitors all year round.
King John's Castle
King John's Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The visitor centre at the castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition which tells the story of the castle. Archaeological excavations have revealed Pre-Norman settlements and evidence from the traumatic siege of 1642.
King John's Castle is just a 5-minute drive (3 Km) from the Greenhills Hotel on Nicholas Street, King's Island, Limerick City.
Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
Families shouldn't miss Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre. The indoor complex overlooks beautiful Lahinch beach and has a leisure centre with 25-metre swimming pool, the Seaworld Atlantic Aquarium, kiddies' play zone, gift shop & café.
Located off the main Ennistymon to Cliffs of Moher road (N67), 40 Km from Ennis. Discounted family rates available at Greenhills Hotel reception.
The Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum exhibits one of Ireland's greatest private collections of arts and antiquities. Donated to the 'people of Limerick' by John & Gertrude Hunt, their generosity ranks as one of the most outstanding in the nations history.
Located at The Custom House, Rutland Street, Limerick
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs are 8 Km long and 214 M high, it is here that one can most easily get a feel for the wilderness of the terrain over which the Celts wandered. From here one the Cliffs, the Aran Islands, Galway Bay as well as the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains to and Loop Head to the South.
The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland's most important bird- watching sites with over 20 nesting species and 30,000 breeding pairs of seabirds.
Located 40 km from Ennis on road N67.
Burren Centre
Discover the unique magic of the Burren Region in 'a walk Through Time' at the Burren Centre. It boasts a fantastic new exhibition, audio visual film theatre, local craft shop & tearoom. The visitor can explore the mysteries of the Burren; the story of the flora, fauna, archaeology, geology, legends and natural history of this magnificent limestone region.
Located on the R476 between Ennis & Lisdoonvarna.
Shannon’s Lough Derg
Known as Irelands “Pleasure Lake”, Shannon’s Lough Derg is one of Irelands largest lakes. Lough Derg is navigable over its total length of just under 40 kms, from Portumna at its northern tip to Killaloe and Ballina in the south, and also has access to over 200 kms of navigable inland waterways. You can enjoy a short 2 hour cruise on the lake or rent a self-drive cruiser for a week.
Lough Gur
The Visitor Centre at Lough Gur tells the story of the pre-Celtic settlers of Ireland who farmed and lived in this peaceful valley. The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwelling, rituals, and burial sites as well as their tools and implements, many of which can be seen in the visitor centre.
Concert Halls
University Concert Hall
University Concert Hall: Limerick, is Ireland's first purpose built concert hall. UCH is a 1,000 seat venue playing host to a variety of live entertainment, concerts, recitals, drama, comedy, dance and grand opera.
www.uch.ie
Limericks Millennium Theatre
(Located 5 minutes from the Hotel)
Magnificent new 350-seat Millennium Theatre at Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park.
www.litmt.ie
Sports Grounds
Gaelic Grounds
(Located 5 minutes from the Hotel) Home to both Limerick Hurling and Football
limerick.gaa.ie
Thomond Park, The Home of Munster Rugby
Located 5 minutes from the Hotel). The Revamped Thomond Park is the home of Shannon RFC, UL Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby
www.munsterrugby.ie
Limerick Racecourse (15 min drive)
More than just a racecourse, Limerick racecourse is a live music venue
www.limerickraces.ie
Customs House
The first evidence of settlement in Limerick is found on Kings Island, and dates back to the Vikings of the 9th century. It was the only river crossing then, and served as a base for raiding local monasteries and Celtic settlements. The English took over the town of Limerick in the late 12th Century, and in 1197 granted a charter declaring Limerick a city. King John, who visited in 1210, ordered that a castle and a bridge (Thomond Bridge) be constructed.
Limerick City Art Gallery
Carnegie Building, Pery Square, Limerick, Limerick
Located in Pery Square, the gallery features a permanent collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century Irish art belonging to some of the much acclaimed artists of the past, including Jack Yeats and Sean Keating.
Forests & Wooded areas
Curraghchase Forest Park
Centred around the ruins of Curraghchase House, the 18th Century home of poet Aubrey deVere, this beautiful 600 acre park includes an arboretum, a wildlife lake and a nature trail which takes you to many of it’s most beautiful features. A Caravan and Camping park is also on the grounds
Clare Glens
The Clare Glens are a wooded area along the banks of the Clare River, which separates County Tipperary and County Limerick, Ireland.
Adare Village
Ireland's answer to the cosy English village must surely be Adare, where the Third Earl of Dunraven built a street with thatched cottages and hedges at the gates of his early Victorian Manor. History had already endowed the place with an exquisite backdrop to further please the eye - a Norman castle beside the River Maigue and the best collection of ruined medieval friaries in Ireland.
Buttercup Farm
Ballygrennan, Croom, Limerick
Buttercup Farm welcomes you to come and share the fun of an old style farming tradition. It plays host to a beautiful green backdrop of Irish contryside, centred at the heart of the Golden vale near Croom on the main Limerick to Cork road. It's open Mon - Fri from 9am to 6pm.
Come and see for yourself the grunting pigs and proud peacocks, or indeed feed and pet the lambs and rabbits.
Glenstal Abbey
Murroe, Co. Limerick
Glenstal Abbey was built in the 1830s for the Barrington family. It was designed as a castle in 12th century style
Ennis & Surrounding Areas
Knappogue Castle & Gardens, Quin
Knappogue Castle is located in Quin, in a truly picturesque setting, surrounded by tranquil landscapes and the rolling hills of Clare.
Cragganowen, Quin
Situated on 50 acres of wooded grounds, Cragganowen interprets Ireland's pre-historic and early Christian eras with the restoration and re-construction of earlier forms of dwelling houses, farmsteads, hunting sites etc.
North Clare (60 Minutes Drive from the Hotel)
Aillwee Cave
Unlike the vast caverns you may have encountered, Aillwee Cave is unique to the geology of the Burren and it enables you to explore a little of what lies under the exciting landscape. Open to Visitors all year round.
Burren Centre
The Burren Centre gives you the visitor an introduction to the visual delights and ancient mysteries of the unique limestone region of the Burren.
Biddy Early Brewery, Inagh
The Biddy Early Brewery is Ireland's first pub brewery. It has revived the tradition of craft brewing in Ireland and continues to produce fine beers using only natural ingredients. Open to visitors all year round.
Scattery Island, Kilrush
Located just off Kilrush, Scattery Island is home to a monastry founded by St. Senan in the early part of the 6th century. Today, the ruins of the 120 ft round tower and several churches still remain on the island. An exhibition on the history of the island is housed in the visitor reception building. Access to the island (Mid June - Mid Septemebr) is dependant on tidal / weather conditions.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum
Fly back in time at the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this quiet little town on the Shannon became the focal point for air traffic on the North Atlantic. Visit our full scale model of a Boeing B-314, as well ass other interesting and informative exhibits.
Golf Courses
Limerick County Golf & Country Club (15 min drive)
Limerick County Golf 18 hole championship Standard Golf Course
Shannon Golf Club (20 min drive)
Adare Manor Golf Club, 18 hole championship
Adare Manor Golf Course
Home to the Irish Open 2008 The Adare Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course
Dromoland Golf Club (20 min drive)
Visitors to Dromoland Golf course have described it eloquently as "the Augusta of Ireland".
