For many, this county is best known, not for its green fields, history or culture, but for the simple but effective rhyming scheme that shares the same name. The significance of the shared name is not certain, but a popular theory is that there is a folk song about Limerick which has a similar rhyming pattern.

The county itself has its own gentle charm, with rolling countryside from the Golden Vale to the tidal estuary of the River Shannon. It has many interesting places to visit, including historic and prehistoric sites, some appealing market towns such as Castleconnell, Kilfinane, Kilmallock and Newcastle West, and Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages.

The city of Limerick is over a thousand years in the making, and is home to the impressive King John’s Castle. Built at the start of the 13th century it looms over the river and is next door to the restored palace that once housed the Protestant Bishops of Limerick. The city also has a cathedral, St Mary’s, which dates back to a similar period. It was founded in 1168 by Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thurmond.