Tá stoc saibhir oidhreachta ag cathair agus contae Luimnigh a chuimsíonn seandálaíocht, oidhreacht thógtha, an timpeallacht nádúrtha agus oidhreacht chultúrtha.
Limerick is steeped in a long, colourful and unique history, with many historical buildings, events and characters that are influential even to this day.
There is evidence of human existence in both city and county long before the Viking invasions, with evidence of human existence over 8,000 years ago.
Limerick’s remarkable archaeological and historical landscape is influenced by and complimented by a diverse high quality natural environment ranging from the estuarine ecosystem of the Shannon Estuary to the many rivers in the city and county, the lowlands and the Golden Vale, and the uplands areas of the Ballyhoura’s and Mullaghareick’s of West Limerick, bogs and fens.
Cultural heritage is also wide ranging and diverse throughout the city and county with a wealth of local traditional customs, traditions and craftsmanship, artists, musicians, poets and writers, genealogists and local historians, folklore enthusiasts based in Limerick, and Limerick’s strong sporting culture.
The Heritage Act 1995 lists heritage as items such as:
- Monuments
- Archaeological objects
- Heritage objects
- Architectural heritage
- Flora
- Fauna
- Wildlife habitats
- Landscapes
- Seascapes
- Wrecks
- Geology
- Heritage gardens
- Parks
- Inland waterways
Heritage is a very important facet of the community, contributing to a sense of identity and place and it is important that our rich heritage is available for future generations to appreciate. It is a valuable asset/resource that generally is non-renewable and Limerick needs to manage and enhance its many valuable and unique heritage assets as we move forward into the future.
This website provides information on many aspects of the heritage of Limerick including updates on the progress of projects from the Limerick Heritage Plan, Heritage projects, recent publications, news and events.
Limerick City and County Heritage Plan 2017 - 2030
The purpose of the Heritage Plan 2017 to 2030 is to ensure Limerick’s heritage continues to be unique and diverse, while being accessible to all.
Key priorities are identified for a number of heritage areas in which Limerick City and County Council works including archaeology, built heritage, architecture, public realm, archives, the museum, biodiversity and environmental awareness, cultural heritage, local history, the diversity and integration of new communities.
The objectives are derived from the need to:
- Raise awareness of Limerick’s urban and rural heritage
- Acquire more knowledge of heritage
- Make it available in a user-friendly manner
- Promote best practice in conservation and management
- Support local economy and tourism
These objectives will be achieved by Limerick City and County Council, working with it's extensive network of partnerships, including the Heritage Council, other local authorities, community groups, land-owners and social enterprises working in the heritage area.
Key successes already achieved by Limerick City and County Council with the support of the Heritage Council under the heritage plan programme include:
- Limerick’s Golden Mile
- Ecological studies on the Shannon Estuary in partnership with Clare County Council
- Environmental awareness programmes
- Research on the medieval core of the city
- Structural studies of Bouchiers Castle in Lough Gur
- Programmes on Limerick’s industrial heritage, including Limerick Lace
- Local heritage programmes with local schools
Heritage Officers
Contact Information
Tom O’Neill
Phone: +353 61 557229
Email: heritage@limerick.ie
Useful links
General
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Archaeological Survey of Ireland
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
- The Heritage Council
- Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiύil)
- Teagasc
- Inland Fisheries Ireland
- National Monuments Service
- National Library
- National Museum
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- Irish Heritage GIS data
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Coillte
- An Taisce – (The National Trust for Ireland)
- Office of Public Works
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland – for environmental and archaeological works
- National Biodiversity Data Centre
- Ordnance Survey of Ireland
- National environmental and sustainable development information service
Local Heritage
- Limerick City and County Library
- Limerick Archives
- Limerick Palatine Association
- Irish Family History Foundation
- Limerick Museum
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick Heritage Project
- Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society
- Limerick Diocesan Archives
- Archives of the Church of Ireland
- Limerick Civic Trust
Archaeology, Built & Industrial Heritage
- Database of Irish Excavation Reports
- Archaeological Survey of Ireland
- Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group
- Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland
- Group for the Study of Irish Settlements
- Office of Public Works
- Irish Georgian Society
- Irish Architectural Archive
- Commissioner of Irish Lights
- Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland
- Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- An Taisce – (The National Trust for Ireland)
- Irish Railway Record Society
- Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland (IHAI)
- Engineers Ireland Heritage Society
- Association for Industrial Archaeology
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht – National policy on built heritage and architecture
- Open House Limerick – Architecture and Culture
- Dry stone wall Association of Ireland
- Institute of Conservator - Restorers in Ireland
Historical Heritage, Folklore, Archive & Genealogy
- www.irelandxo.com
- Historical Mapping – Ordnance Survey of Ireland
- National Folklore
- Oral History Network of Ireland
- Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland
- National Library
- National Museum
- National Folklore Collection
- Genealogy Advisory Service – National Library of Ireland
- National Archives
- Genealogy – National Archives of Ireland
- Irish Society of Archives
- Cultural Heritage Ireland
- National Television and Radio Archives
- Military Archives, Department of Defense
- Sites relating to the National Folklore Collection of Ireland, one of the largest folklore collections in the world:
Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
- Geological Survey of Ireland
- Birdwatch Ireland
- Tree Council
- National environmental and sustainable information service - ENFO
- Irish Peatland Conservancy Council
- All Ireland Invasive Species Awareness
- The Marine Institute
- Irish Seedsavers
- The Irish Landscape Institute
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Trust
- Irish Wildlife Trust
- Biodiversity Ireland
- Green Schools Ireland
- Crann – Trees for Ireland
- Notice Nature
- Native Woodland Trust
- Hedge Laying Association of Ireland
- National Parks and Wildlife Service Wildlife Manuals
- Biodiversity Watch Project, Heritage Council
- The Heritage Council
- National Pollinator Plan
If there are inaccuracies in the above please notify Tom O’Neill, Heritage Officer.
Email: thomas.oneill@limerick.ie or heritage@limerick.ie.