The Most Beautiful Buildings In Limerick Ireland

With one major population centre and lots of rural surrounds, Limerick is full of interesting buildings, from the castle and cathedral in the heart of the city to abandoned centres and pockets of personality found elsewhere in the county. There are certain sights here that are absolutely unmissable for anyone visiting the Shannonside (the Castle and the Milk Market, in particular), while others have their own charming, stone-based building style, and some are even old enough to be almost crumbling. Go big and check out every one of these loveable corners…

Thatched cottages

You’ll find thatched cottages spread throughout Limerick, but (for us at least) the best are found in the gorgeous village of Adare. These quaint little dwellings need to have their roofs replaced on a regular basis to remain weatherproof (yes, it works well for a while!), but with such relentless charm to be found in the flower-packed gardens, petite rural houses and tiny old-school interiors, it’s easy to see why the occupants bother. Occasionally, they even come up for rent. Stroll through the village to find some, perhaps starting with the collection of little cottages near the Adare Manor (below).

1. The Toll House

Building

An old structure on Limerick’s riverside originally designed to do exactly what it sounds like it should (collect tolls), what makes The Toll House unique is the faux defensive structure attached to the otherwise normal (and tiny) building to give it a sense of grandeur. The house, on the end of a line of terraced structures on the river, and close to the castle, dates back to the 1840s and isn’t open to the public. However, the oddity of its placement and contrast with the surrounding neighbourhood make it well worth a stroll down the Shannon regardless.

2. The Milk Market

Market, Farmers' Market, Farm Shop, Healthy, Vegetarian

Made up of a small warren of tiny stores and a great open space of less permanent stalls, The Milk Market is a longstanding Limerick shopping hot spot that’s become fashionable, crafty, organic and local-leaning in recent years. The building itself is a square block around a peaked-canopy courtyard where most of the action takes place. A functional but charismatic and memorable spot, this is best visited at the heart of the action over the weekend.