Cycling in Limerick City
Limerick on the banks of the River Shannon enjoys the honour of being Ireland’s first City of Culture 2014. With Coca-Cola Zero® Bikes you can easily explore King John’s Castle, the city’s Medieval District, or the splendid architecture and monuments of the Georgian Quarter and The People’s Park.
There are 23 bike stations in Limerick and 215 bikes in circulation. There are 3 stations close to the Absolute Hotel Limerick including Abbey Bridge which has 9 stations, Island Road Junction which has 8 stands, and Saint Mary’s Cathedral which has 6 stands.
How to rent the bikes?
Sign up for a 3-day pass for just E3 (E150 deposit will be taken from your card at time of purchase and refunded after the pass expires.) You will be given a unique PIN code to use at any of the 23 bike stations. Once you have your bike the rental fees are as follows: First ½ hour is free, up to 1 hour E0.50, up to 2 hours E1.50, up to 3 hours E3.50, up to 4 hours E6.50 and E2 per ½ hour thereafter.
Suggested bike routes
Now you have your bike it’s time to get peddling!
The Riverside Loop (Limerick City Centre)
The loop is almost 4km long and generally flat. At quiet times of day, it is an enjoyable cycle, which takes in a number of natural, recreational, cultural, and historical sites. Start your cycle at the Absolute Hotel Limerick – Island Road Junction station.
Travel down Nicholas Street past King John's Castle on your left. From Kings John’s Castle cycle over Thomond Bridge crossing the Shannon River. Turn left with the Shannon River ever-present on your left. There are areas to sit and enjoy The Curraghgower Falls. Follow O'Callaghan Strand to Saint Michael's Rowing Club on the left. Follow the road as it takes you right, past the Toffee Factory. At the roundabout take a left and left at the traffic lights which brings you onto the Shannon Bridge. At this point follow the road left at the roundabout onto the City Quays. To continue the looped cycle, follow the river, on your left, until you come to Arthur's Quay Park. Here feel free to dismount and walk through the park in order to catch a glimpse of King John's Castle, Thomond Bridge, and the Clare Hills. Once back on the road travel around the grey multi-story building over to the Hunt Museum, and over the Matthew Bridge, and back to the Island Road Junction station. Dismount and return to the Absolute Hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Canal Cycle Route
The Absolute Hotel Limerick is at the very start of the Canal cycling route. Collect your bike from the Abbey Bridge station. This route will bring you along the canal where you will see the Guinness bridge adjacent to the Absolute Hotel. Follow the designated cycle path along the canal to the University of Limerick. This is a great route to take if you prefer not to cycle on main roads. There is lighting, seating, and signage along the route.
Please ask at reception for more details on cycle routes and maps.
Biking in Ballyhoura
Ballyhoura is situated at the crossroads of Muster, on the borders of County Tipperary, County Limerick and County Cork. An area with beautiful green pastures, hills, woodlands and mountains. Here you will find the Ballyhoura Mountain Trails. The largest trail network in Ireland.
The Mountain trail includes forest road climbs, twisty singletrack, boardwalk, tight turns and technical rocky bits for the thrill-seekers.
Ballyhoura provides a full range of visitor facilities at the trailhead which includes a secure car parking with monitored CCTV cameras, map boards, bike wash facilities, toilets & showers. Trail accommodation and good food are also available as well as snacks with tea/coffee at a reasonable price.
Download the Mountain Bike Trail Map Here >