EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Limerick is the nearest big city to Shannon Airport (tel 061/471444 ) - ten miles away off the Ennis Road. Airport buses (£3.50/¬4.43) run approximately every thirty minutes in the morning, hourly in the afternoon and irregularly after 6pm; a taxi costs around £12-15/¬15.24-19.05 (tel 061/313131). The train (tel 061/315555) and bus (tel 061/313333) stations are next door to each other on Parnell Street in Newtown Pery; however, some buses arrive at Penney's Store on the corner of Lower Cecil Street and Henry Street rather than the bus station.

The excellent tourist office (May, June, Sept & Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; July & Aug Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm; Nov-April Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm; tel 061/317522) is at Arthur's Quay, near where the river branches merge and you cross over into Englishtown: most easily found by following O'Connell Street north towards the Custom House. The tourist office's city map also has useful information and phone numbers. Walking tours of the city are organized by St Mary's Action Centre, 44 Nicholas St. Their Historic Walking Tour (daily 11am & 2.30pm; £4/¬5.08) focuses on Englishtown; it's a colourful account steeped in murder, treachery and passion, and really does bring this, the oldest part of Limerick, to life. Alternatively, the Angela's Ashes Walking Tour (departs daily from the tourist office at 2.30pm; £4/¬5.08) takes in some of the same area in an account of slum life in early twentieth century Limerick, lavishly embellished with extracts from Frank McCourt's book, full of humour and pathos. Phone in advance to arrange a place on either tour in low season (tel 061/318106).

For bike rental try Emerald Cycles, 1 Patrick St. Internet access can be gained at Websters on Thomas Street.