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| Contents | ||
| City of Limerick | |
|---|---|
| King John's Castle is a thirteenth century castle in the heart of the city near the River Shannon. | |
| Map | |
| WGS-84 ( GPS) Coordinates: 52.6652 Lat., -008.6238 Long. | |
| Area: | 20.79 km² |
| County: | County Limerick |
| Population: | 54,023 (2002) |
| Province: | Munster |
Limerick ( Irish: Luimneach) is a city and county seat of County Limerick in the province of Munster, in the midwest of the Republic of Ireland. The city lies on the River Shannon, with three main crossing points near the city centre. It is chiefly renowned for its rugby heritage, including the famous Garryowen rugby club, after which the high rugby kick is named. Limerick has a proud sporting tradition, as the spiritual home of Irish rugby, as well as being a powerhouse in hurling.
Main Article: History of Limerick City
The city dates from at least the VikingViking refers in a loose sense to the North Germanic (ethnically Scandinavian) population of Northern Europe in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th centuries, which during this time colonized, raided and traded the lengths of the coasts, rivers and islands of Eur settlement in 812, however history suggests the presence of earlier settlements in the area. The Normans redesigned the city in the 12th century and added much of the most notable architecture, such as King John's CastleRiver Shannon. Alongside is Thomond Bridge. King John's Castle is a large 13th century castle built in the center of Limerick City, Ireland. The castle is located on King's Island, next to the River Shannon and the Abbey River. The walls, towers and forti and St. Marys. During the civil wars of the 17th century, the city played a pivital role, seiged by Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell ( April 25, 1599 September 3, 1658) was an English military leader and politician. After leading the overthrow of the British monarchy he ruled England, Scotland and Ireland as Lord Protector from December 16, 1653 until his death, which i in 1651 and twice by the WilliamitesWilliam III and II (William Henry) ( 14 November 1650 8 March 1702) was Prince of Orange from his birth, King of England and Ireland from 13 February 1689, and King of Scotland from 11 April 1689, in each case until his death. He won the English, Scottish in the 1690s. Limerick grew rich through trade in the late 18th century, but the Act of UnionThe 1800 Act of Union merged the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain (itself a merger of England and Scotland under the Act of Union 1707) to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1 January 1801. Under the terms of the in 1800, and the famineHistory of Ireland 1801-1922 The Irish Potato Famine also called The Great Famine or The Great Hunger ( Irish: An Gorta Mor , is the name given to a famine which struck Ireland between 1846 and 1849. The Famine was at least fifty years in the making, due caused a crippling economy decline only broken by the so-called Celtic Tiger in the 1990s.