King Johns, Limerick, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

King Johns is a stop in Englishtown, the medieval heart of Limerick on King's Island, a short walk from King John's Castle and the River Shannon. This is the oldest part of the city, where narrow streets, limestone buildings and the castle walls tell the story of Limerick's beginnings as a walled town.

The story behind it

Englishtown grew up on King's Island, the walled core of medieval Limerick, and the name of this stop points to the castle that dominates the area. King John's Castle was built in the early 13th century beside the Shannon to guard the river crossing, and it has watched over the city ever since. Nicholas Street, close by, was one of the main streets of the old walled town and ran near the quays, the castle and St Mary's Cathedral, which made this district the centre of civic life.

The area also carries the memory of the Williamite War. Limerick was besieged in 1690 and again in 1691, and the second siege ended with the Treaty of Limerick in October 1691. Walking these streets, you are moving through the setting of that story.

What to look for

• The towers and thick curtain walls of King John's Castle, which look best from along the river, where the stonework rises straight from the water's edge.
• The weathered limestone of the older buildings around Convent Street and Nicholas Street, a reminder of how much of old Limerick was built from local stone.
• The wide sweep of the Shannon beside the castle, with Thomond Bridge close by.
• The tower and roofline of St Mary's Cathedral, a medieval landmark that shows how closely church and castle sat together in the old town.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about half an hour to wander Englishtown on foot, or longer if you also plan to go into the castle, where you should check current opening hours.
• Morning and late afternoon are good for a quiet walk and softer light on the stone and the river.
• St Mary's Cathedral, the castle and the riverside walk are all within a few minutes, so this makes an easy base for a wider stroll.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as the old streets and riverside paths can be uneven.

See it on a quest

The best way to take in this corner of Limerick is on Limerick Outdoor Escape Game. You reach King Johns on foot as one stop of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is right in front of you. You can start any time without a guide or a group to join, and one ticket covers the whole group.