Culture
Top 5 Limerick Student Attractions for things to do and see in the city
Limerick Student Attractions – the Iconic Statue pictured above is all too familiar to the students who pass through UL. Picture: Luke M Curley
Limerick Student Attractions
By ilovelimerick Correspondent Jeffrey Murphy
Limerick as a city has never been so rich and vibrant. As a young man and a student who has only recently been introduced to the city through my combined love of sport and hunger for a fine education, it didn’t take long for the city to brand itself as my home. The bliss of living and experiencing the Limerick Student Attractions that this city has to offer are unrivalled.
As a student living in Limerick, the heart of the city will always be the University of Limerick. The University’s fruitful campus buzzes with life pretty much all day every day. During the daytime, bright-eyed creative students making their way through the campus socialising and racing to class to the equally bright-eyed and excited students ready to take part in what ‘college life’ in the evening is all about. The college seems to tailor to every student interest imaginable. The 133 hectares which UL sits on is dotted from edge to edge with things to explore and interesting people to converse with. The Student Union sits in the centre of all that happens in the colourful campus. The Clubs & Societies range from comedy clubs to sports clubs to poetry societies and everything in between. The array of activities and interests the college alone supplies for its students is extraordinary.
The City of Limerick is renowned for its rich history and the Hunt Museum is an excellent place to begin to unfold and discover the city from its roots. At present, The Hunt Museum develops and provides many activities, such as Tours around the museum, Arts and Crafts Classes, Kids Activities, Camps and Lectures. There Docents and volunteers will help you to create great family days or to learn more through our guided tours.
The Hunt Museum was established to house an internationally important collection of approximately 2,000 works of art and antiquities formed by John and Gertrude Hunt during their lifetimes. As antique dealers and advisors to collectors, they built a thriving business and also began to acquire pieces that reflected their own interests and curiosity rather than for commercial purposes. Many of the rooms in the museum provide great opportunities for different events, such as meetings, lectures, seminars, receptions and dining. Never the less the Hunt Museum is a must when visiting the city.
If its adventure and a stroll through history you want, a visit to the 13th century King John’s Castle is the place to go. The castle reopened in June 2013 following a multi-million euro investment. Explore the brand new visitor centre with state of the art interpretive activities and exhibitions, relax afterwards in the café it is the perfect place to unwind while enjoying terrific views onto the castle courtyard and the Shannon river.
21st-century touch screen technology, 3D models and discovery drawer are among the exciting techniques that will connect you to tales of siege and warfare. Children will love the dazzling array of computer-generated animations and ghostly projections as they travel back through time. The Education and Activity Room is bustling with tasks to stimulate curious minds. In the busy courtyard, you will discover a medieval campaign tent, a blacksmith’s forge and scenes from a seventeenth-century siege. The sights, scenes and sounds of King John’s Castle and its environs all combine to recreate the atmosphere of the era.
Limerick Pubs are the best in Ireland and if it’s a pub you are looking for Limerick is in no short supply.
One of the most famous is a live music venue called Dolans, which never fails to have a great list of live acts lined up ranging from traditional Irish music to fresh pop music performers, there is never a dull moment. There is a diverse number of pubs to choose from in this great city, from the Library Bar where there is always a lively atmosphere accompanied with plenty of space to strut your stuff. Or if it’s the iconic ‘beer pong’ competitions you seek Costello’s Tavern is the place for you. Maybe you just want a casual drink with a chill atmosphere, well the Locke Bar or even the Old Quarter are ideal.
Limerick is commonly referred to as the Sporting Capital of Ireland and rightfully so. The county is home to some of the finest sports stars this country has to offer as well as being home to the beloved Munster Rugby team. The world famous Thomond Park is one of Limerick’s pride and joys as fans and supporters flood from every corner of the country to attend matches held here. The stadium holds an incredible atmosphere and songs such as ‘The Fields Of Athenry’ and ‘Stand Up And Fight’ are heard to be heard echo throughout the stands. The stadium now holds a crowd of 25,630 after its large-scale redevelopment in 2008 and is only waiting for you to experience its overwhelming aura on match day.
These are the attractions I found most enticing as an outsider to the city. Limerick has many aspects and I found each of these attractions were a good place to start my journey of unravelling the incredible city of Limerick and hope you find it as magical and vibrant as I did.
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