The People's Museum of Limerick

About the museum

The People's Museum of Limerick occupies No. 2 Pery Square, a Georgian townhouse of 1838 designed by James Pain as part of the Pery Square development. The house was restored and is owned and managed by the Limerick Civic Trust. The museum opened on 7 October 2019 and presents the people and culture of Limerick city and county.

Its displays range from the Viking settlement and the medieval walled town to the Georgian era and the modern city, and they include children's dolls and toys, military history and Limerick lace. The museum tells the stories of local figures such as Richard Bourke, Catherine Hayes, Frank McCourt and Seán Wall. The Carroll collection, donated by June O'Carroll Robinson, holds heirlooms and military items from the 1700s to the 1920s, including a coat said to have belonged to Joseph Bonaparte.

The museum is part of the Museum of Childhood Ireland network, and one room is devoted to toys and childhood. Visitors can join guided house tours that place Limerick's social history in a national and international context, or take walking tours of the Georgian and medieval city. The building also has a converted coach house and a garden that can be hired for events.

Highlights

• Georgian townhouse of 1838 at 2 Pery Square, restored by the Limerick Civic Trust
• Guided house tours and Georgian and medieval walking tours
• Room on toys and childhood as part of the Museum of Childhood Ireland network
• Carroll collection of family heirlooms and military items from the 1700s to the 1920s
• Limerick lace, military history and local taxidermy

Permanent exhibitions

• The Georgian townhouse and Limerick's social history – Rooms of the restored 1838 house show Limerick's story from the Viking settlement and the medieval walled town to the Georgian period, including local lace, military history and taxidermy.
• Toys and childhood – A room of children's dolls and toys, shown as part of the Museum of Childhood Ireland network.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Limerick Civic Trust

Admission & discounts

General entry is €5, concession €3, and a tour is €1 extra.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the design of the historic building there is no full wheelchair access; the coach house and the ground floor are accessible.

Kids & families

One room is devoted to toys and childhood, and the museum is part of the Museum of Childhood Ireland network.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There is no café in the building; Zest Café, Rift Coffee, Belltable Café and others are nearby. Food and drink are not allowed during tours or house visits, and pets are not allowed because of the artefacts on display.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The building has 17 rooms, a large converted coach house and a garden, hired for launches, recitals, lectures, meetings, workshops, classes and weddings. Hirers need their own public liability insurance, and a walk-through can be arranged before booking.

Plan your visit