The Shannon in Limerick
The River Shannon has been hugely important in the development of Limerick over the centuries. As a ford on the river, the city of Limerick grew and the Shannon has always provided food, employment, transport and sport for the citizens of Limerick.
Map of the River Shannon
This map of the Shannon in Limerick shows the length of the river from Limerick City to Foynes. The main county towns along the river are marked, as well as the location of the airport. The darker shaded area has been designated a special protection area. This image is from the Limerick County Council Development Plan 1999.
© Limerick County Council.Map of the River Shannon
© Limerick County Council.
© Limerick County Council.
Map of the River Shannon
This map of the Shannon in Limerick shows the length of the river from Limerick City to Foynes. The main county towns along the river are marked, as well as the location of the airport. The darker shaded area has been designated a special protection area. This image is from the Limerick County Council Development Plan 1999.
© Limerick County Council.The Vikings arrived in Limerick in the ninth century and founded settlements all along the riverside. Today, the focus is again very much on the river, as the city of Limerick is being developed to face the river and acknowledge its important role.
Bridges of Limerick City
Shannon Bridge
Built in the late 1980s, Shannon Bridge was built with a view to taking traffic away from the city centre and out towards Clare and the West of Ireland. In its early years, the bridge was known as the Whistling Bridge, due to the persistent noise caused by the wind blowing through it.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Shannon Bridge
© Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick Studies Collection.
Shannon Bridge
Built in the late 1980s, Shannon Bridge was built with a view to taking traffic away from the city centre and out towards Clare and the West of Ireland. In its early years, the bridge was known as the Whistling Bridge, due to the persistent noise caused by the wind blowing through it.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Bridges have been vitally important to life in Limerick city over the centuries. They are used for transport, trade, convenience and leisure. Limerick has three main bridges: Thomond Bridge, Shannon Bridge and Sarsfield Bridge.
Thomond Bridge was first built some time between 1185 and 1210. It was used to link King John's castle on the Limerick side to Co. Clare on the other. It has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. It is the oldest bridge in Limerick city, and was at one time the only bridge across the Shannon.
Thomond Bridge
Photo of Thomond Bridge in Limerick city. The first Thomond Bridge collapsed, causing the deaths of over eighty workers in the thirteenth century. The second bridge was prone to flooding. The present structure was completed in 1840. Designed by the Pain Brothers, it leads directly to King John's Castle from Thomondgate.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Thomond Bridge
© Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick Studies Collection.
Thomond Bridge
Photo of Thomond Bridge in Limerick city. The first Thomond Bridge collapsed, causing the deaths of over eighty workers in the thirteenth century. The second bridge was prone to flooding. The present structure was completed in 1840. Designed by the Pain Brothers, it leads directly to King John's Castle from Thomondgate.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Thomond Bridge was the scene of a failed defence of the city during the siege of limerick in 1690. It was bombarded with canon and stones and almost destroyed.
After the battle, the Treaty of Limerick was signed on a stone on Thomond Bridge in 1691. The Treaty Stone now sits on a platform on one end of the bridge. The bridge was rebuilt in 1840 by the Pain brothers and this is the structure that still exists today.
Sarsfield Bridge
This view of the Sarsfield Bridge shows the bridge on an early winter morning. Completed in 1835, it was formerly known as Wellesley Bridge, and was the main bridge for all traffic from Clare into Limerick city. The bridge could at one time swivel to allow boats to pass through, but it no longer has this feature.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Sarsfield Bridge
© Limerick Studies Collection.
© Limerick Studies Collection.
Sarsfield Bridge
This view of the Sarsfield Bridge shows the bridge on an early winter morning. Completed in 1835, it was formerly known as Wellesley Bridge, and was the main bridge for all traffic from Clare into Limerick city. The bridge could at one time swivel to allow boats to pass through, but it no longer has this feature.
© Limerick Studies Collection.Sarsfield Bridge was built in 1827. It was the main bridge for traffic into the city right up until the 1980s. It is a prettier bridge than Thomond, with its elegant walls, in-built pillars with gaps to see the river, and graceful lamp-posts adorning its walls. In 2002, new lock gates began operating to allow boat traffic to pass below the bridge. This was part of the re-opening of the canal to attract visitors and tourists to the Shannon.