Saint Mary's Catherdral
No trip to Limerick is complete without visiting this historic building at the very heart of this ancient metropolis.
Located only a 4-minute walk from the Absolute Hotel it is the closest city center hotel to this historic venue.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary Blessed Virgin has had a long and eventful history. It was founded in 1168 on a hill on King’s Island, the oldest part of Limerick, on the site of a palace donated by Donal Mor O'Brien King of Munster. It is the oldest building in Limerick and is still in continuous daily use.
The most prominent features is the West Door which is Romanesque in style and elaborately carved and as tradition has it, was the main entrance to the palace. The palace itself was built on the site of the Viking meeting house. This had been the centre of government in the early medieval Viking city.
Experts believe that parts of the palace are incorporated into the present structure of the Cathedral.
During the last eight centuries, it has witnessed invasions, sieges, battles, wars, famine, unrest and times of great peace.
In 1691, the Cathedral suffered substantial damage from cannonballs, especially on the east end, during the Williamite Siege of Limerick.
You can see two of these cannonballs during your visit!
The Cathedral has seen many changes as the city expanded around it and it remains today the oldest and most historic building in Limerick.
Contact Details for St Mary's Cathedral
E-Mail: info@SaintMarysCathedral.ie, Phone: (061) 310 293
Address: Saint Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick, V94 E068
Visitor Opening Times
Open daily, Year-round.
Monday to Thursday: 09.00 to 17.00h (last admission 16.30h)
Friday: 09.00 to 16.00h (last admission 15.30h)
Saturday: 09.00 to 16.00h (last admission 15.30h)
Sunday: 13.30 to 16.00h (last admission 15.30h)
Bank Holidays: 11.00 to 15.00h (last admission 14.30h)
Closed: Saint Mary’s Cathedral is closed on December 26th & 27th as well as January 1st.
BOOK A ROOM After a day of fun, relax in our luxurious accommodation in Limerick city. Each room is individually designed in a quirky modern style state-of-the-art in-room entertainment and technology, a dedication to cozy comfort, and an almost obsessive attention to detail. Our focus is giving you the best from royally approved mattresses to a serious soaking in our rainmaker showers.
Book a table in HARRY'S ON THE RIVER Limerick and review your day over locally sourced ingredients and the finest craft beers.
Call 061 463 600 to reserve a table.