COUNTY LIMERICK - MUSEUMS

De Valera Museum & Bruree Heritage Center

Bruree
The De Valera Museum and Bruree Heritage Centre is dedicated to Eamon de Valera [1882-1975], former president of Ireland and one of the country`s most famous statesmen, it houses a unique collection of personal belongings of this historic figure, as well as a wide range of articles which record life in Bruree in the early 20th century. This visitor centre is located where Eamonn de Valera grew up. The cottage in which he lived is now preserved and the national school he attended houses a museum dedicated to his memory.

Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

Foynes
The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, housed in the original terminal building in Foynes, recalls that nostalgic era when Foynes became the center of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. On July 9th 1939, Pan Am luxury Flying Boat, the `Yankee Clipper` landed at Foynes to become the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this quiet little town on the Shannon became the focal point for air traffic on the North Atlantic. Now the `Yankee Clipper` is back - the latest exhibit is the world`s only full scale replica of the Pan Am Boeing 314 flying boat `Yankee Clipper`. There`s a comprehensive range of exhibits and graphic illustrations including a Radio and Weather Room, an authentic 1940s cinema, and the full sized replica B314 flying boat. Budding aviators can practice on one of the flight simulators.

It is approximately 22miles/30 minutes from Limerick City along the scenic coastal N69 route from Limerick to Tralee.

Irish Palatine Heritage Center

Old Railway Buildings Rathkeale
The Irish Palatine Heritage Center houses an exhibition charting the Palatine experience in the `Emerald Isle`. The Palatines came from Germany and after a period of persecution, came to settle in Ireland and all over the world. The heritage center outlines their historical origins, their contribution to Irish farming life and their formative role in the development of world Methodism through displays of articles, photographs and more.

Kilmallock Museum & Historic Town Trail

Kilmallock
Kilmallock was one of Munster’s most important medieval towns, but not far away there is evidence of even earlier activity. Excavations at Tankardstown have uncovered an early farming settlement dating from around 4000BC. Kilmallock Museum has scale models of these Stone Age dwellings as well as a model of medieval Killmallock, complete with its old town walls. More recently during the Irish Civil War the Kilmallock area was the scene of fierce fighting, this time is also covered by the Kilmallock Museum exhibits. Other exhibits tell the industrial rural and social history of the area. Kilmallock is also the resting place of the late Gaelic poet Aindrias Mac Craith or as he was known by his pen name an Mangaire Sugach. A recording of his most famous poem Slán le Maigh, set to music, can be heard at the museum.

Limerick City Gallery of Art

Carnegie Building, Pery Square, Limerick
One of the leading contemporary art galleries in Ireland and home to an important collection of Irish 18th to 21st century art in all media, amounting to 831 works. One quarter of the collection is on permanent display in the gallery including works by Camille Souter, Evie Hone, William Orpen, Sean Keating and Paul Henry. LCGA also holds the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing and the Michael O`Connor International Poster Collection consisting of over 2800 works of international design. The Gallery is housed in a two storey building with 2,000 sq feet of exhibition space in eleven white cube spaces of varying dimensions and one large historic gallery displaying the gallery`s Permanent Collection in a salon style. A major renovation during the 1990s upgraded the existing Carnegie Building and included the addition of the South Gallery, a purpose built 32 x 32 foot white cube space.

Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum

Castle Lane, Nicholas Street, Limerick
Situated next to the main entrance of King John`s Castle in the heart of the City`s Medieval Quarter, the museum was founded in 1906 and was opened to the public in 1916. Its original location was in the City Library, which was then in the Carnegie Building in Pery Square and the librarian of the day was its curator. The buildings in Castle Lane, where the museum now is, were built in 1998 and are meant to represent the styles of building found in Limerick in the past. The Museum is in the warehouse-style building at the front of the lane. Further down are representations of brick-fronted Georgian houses with so-called `Dutch Billy` roofs, a low cagework (timber-framed) house and a medieval tavern. The Museum`s collection illustrates the history of Limerick and its people. Its displays include archaeological artifacts, Limerick silver, Limerick lace, examples of local printing, cases on the struggle for independence and much more.

Limerick Museum

Istabraq Hall City Hall Merchants` Quay Limerick
Limerick`s exciting past never gets old and the municipal museum aims to showcase the city in its full glory. Part of the museum`s huge collection is temporarily being housed in Istabraq Hall—an exhibition space in City Hall on Merchants Quay—until it is moved to its new permanent home at the former Franciscan Church on Henry Street (it is hoped that will happen in late 2015). The museum has thousands of interesting objects, which span centuries of local and regional history. From the Bronze Age to Georgian times to the 20th century, there is something to help you step back in time including photographs, old money, letters, documents and many more artifacts. Important events like the War of Independence take prominence. Many personal collections have been bequeathed to the museum so there are genuine local touches and the museum is leading a project to conserve the city`s ancient walls.

The Frank McCourt Museum

Hartstonge Street, Limerick
A museum dedicated to the writer and Pulizer Prize winner, Frank McCourt. McCourt is most famous for his book 'Angela's Ashes', his memoir of his childhood in Limerick. 'Leamy's School', was where Frank and his brothers received their early education. Leamy House (formerly known as Leamy School) is a Tudor style, listed building with an interesting facade, complete with tower, turrets, ornamental chimneys and splendid gargoyles carved in limestone and sandstone. The central area of the museum is a faithful re-creation of the former classroom of the 1930's, with authentic desks and wall hangings. Two rooms have been turned into a museum and are a re-creation of the McCourts home in Roden Lane.

The Hunt Museum

Rutland Street
Located in the grand surroundings of Limerick`s former Customs House, The Hunt Museum is a private collection turned public wonder. Set over three floors with many rooms, it contains over 2,000 antiquities and works of art, which were acquired by John and Gertrude Hunt. As professional antique dealers, they also gathered interesting objects that appealed to them so the collection is unique and eclectic. The building is beautifully restored and retains many period features such as the immense staircase and high windows, some of which look out onto the calming waters of the Shannon. Rooms are divided into loose categories i.e. the ancient world with artifacts from Greece, Rome, Egypt and more and pieces from early Ireland like Neolithic flints, a Bronze Age shield and cauldron. Other displays are dedicated to Christian objects such as a unique 9th century Antrim Cross; jewelry like the Mary Queen of Scots cross and 18/19th century decorative arts with fine examples of silver, glass and ceramics. Browse works by leading artists such as Picasso, Yeats, Moore and Renoir; imagine what battles the fearsome weapons saw and in the treasury section, see what is reputed to be one of the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for the betrayal of Christ. Everything from pottery to chalices, sculptures to tapestries, brooches to spears are on display.

Thomond Park Museum

Thomond Park Limerick
Experience the proud history and heritage of Munster Rugby at Thomond Park Stadium`s spectacular interactive museum or follow in the footsteps of Munster heroes by taking a look behind the scenes at the historic Stadium.

Smaller Galleries In Limerick:

Art is everywhere but not least in the fine collection of smaller galleries and artistic spaces.

Limerick Printmakers
John`s Square, Limerick
With over 50 members, the skill of printmaking is kept alive with exhibitions that cover printmaking, painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture and installation work and it also runs classes for adults and children.

Ormston House
Patrick Street, Limerick
A 2,100 square foot cultural resource center and gallery space runs a year round program of contemporary art exhibitions.

Normoyle Frawley Gallery
John Street, Limerick
Aims to support the work of both established and emerging artists, particularly those resident in Ireland. It also does framing and sells art supplies.

The Gallery
Bedford Row, Limerick
Offers affordable art, craft, photography and framing.

Friars` Gate Theatre
Kilmallock
Holds regular art exhibitions.

Draíocht Gallery and Shop
Adare
Established in 2009, it displays contemporary Irish art and crafts. From paintings to ceramics, sculpture to furniture, the owners remain in close contact with artists so the display is a constantly changing canvas. Artists include Syra Larkin, Liz Burgess, Vincent Crotty and Jane Hilliard.

The Lucy Erridge Craft Shop and Art Gallery
Adare
It stocks and specializes in rich, colorful designer knits. The gallery houses the works of talented artists, individual textiles, hand-crafted silver jewelry inspired by old Celtic designs. The owner Lucy Erridge has also worked with designers and craftspeople to produce silver, stationary, maps, and many other items unique to the shop and representing the character of Adare.