10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Limerick
- 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!
- Limerick is home to the largest Georgian Quarter in Ireland outside Dublin!
- 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!
- 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!
- Irish Coffee, a brew infused with Irish whiskey, was invented in Limerick village Foynes in 1943!
- Limerick is known as the Treaty City after the Treaty of Limerick was signed here in October 1691!
- 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’Brienand Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt!
- In 1651 after Cromwell’s forces captured the City, St. Mary’s Cathedral was used as a stable for the army’s horses!
- King John’s Castle is the westernmost Norman castle in Europe!
- The University of Limerick has the longest footbridge in Ireland and one of the longest footbridges in Europe – it is called the Living Bridge!