10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Limerick
1. Limerick, Ireland’s third largest city, was founded by the Vikings in 812. Limerick is one of Ireland’s oldest cities, with a Charter of Incorporation older than that of London’s, dating back to 1197!
2. Limerick is home to the largest Georgian Quarter in Ireland outside Dublin!
3. Former US President, John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather, Thomas Fitzgerald (the man who gave them the ‘F’ in their name), hails from the town of Bruff in east Co. Limerick!
4. There are 10 places in the USA called Limerick: Limerick, Georgia, Limerick, Illinois, Limerick, Louisville, Limerick, Maine, Limerick, Mississippi, Limerick, New York, Limerick, Ohio, Limerick, South Carolina, Limerick Township, Pennsylvania, and New Limerick, Maine!
5. Irish Coffee, a brew infused with Irish whiskey, was invented in Limerick village Foynes in 1943!
6. Limerick is known as the Treaty City after the Treaty of Limerick was signed here in October 1691!
7. Some of Limerick’s well-known sons and daughters include actor Richard Harris, rock legends The Cranberries, broadcaster Terry Wogan, novelist and playwright Kate O’Brien and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt!
8. In 1651 after Cromwell’s forces captured the City, St. Mary’s Cathedral was used as a stable for the army’s horses!
9. King John’s Castle is the westernmost Norman castle in Europe!
10. The University of Limerick has the longest footbridge in Ireland and one of the longest footbridges in Europe
- it is called the Living Bridge!