Limerick Museum
Free city museum in the Old Franciscan Friary with about 65,000 objects on Limerick's history, including Limerick lace and silver and Ireton's Cat.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Limerick Museum was founded in 1907 and opened to the public in 1916, in the Carnegie library building on Pery Square, where the city librarian also served as curator. It is one of the oldest and largest local authority museums in Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of Jim Kemmy, a former TD for Limerick East and twice Mayor of Limerick.
Over the decades the collection has moved several times. After a closure in the 1970s it reopened in St John's Square in 1979, later moved to Castle Lane and then to Merchant's Quay, and on 30 May 2017 it opened in its present home in the former Franciscan Friary on Henry Street in the medieval quarter of the city. The council describes it as a free-of-charge museum run by Limerick City and County Council.
The museum cares for about 65,000 objects that tell the story of Limerick city and county. They include Stone Age axes, medieval coins, the civic sword of Queen Elizabeth I and collections of Limerick lace and silver, as well as curiosities such as Ireton's Cat, a mummified cat found on Nicholas Street in the 1890s, a fragment of the largest meteorite to fall in Ireland in 1813, and a 1940s diving suit. Temporary exhibitions and school workshops complement the displays, and the collection is searchable in an online catalogue.
Highlights
- About 65,000 objects covering Limerick city and county
- Limerick lace and Limerick silver collections
- Ireton's Cat, a mummified cat found on Nicholas Street in the 1890s
- Fragment of the largest meteorite to fall in Ireland, in 1813
- Civic sword of Queen Elizabeth I, medieval coins and Stone Age axes
Permanent exhibition
- Limerick Museum collection – Objects from Stone Age axes and medieval coins to Limerick lace, silver, printing and military items, with highlights such as Ireton's Cat and a fragment of the 1813 meteorite.
- Founded
- 1907
- Operated by
- Limerick City and County Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is about 15 minutes' walk from the rail and bus station.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum runs community outreach with temporary exhibitions, pop-up events and school workshops. Its collection can be searched online at museum.limerick.ie, and the council site offers online exhibitions and historical resources. |
