Planning your Trip

What you can do using Dooneen Lodge as a base!

Time required for trip: 2 days

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 5km

Limerick city is magnificently sited on one of Europe's finest rivers, the lordly Shannon. One can only imagine the 9^th century scenes, when fleets of Viking vessels sailed up river to plunder and terrorise the monastic midlands. In later centuries these Norsemen settled and founded the trading port of Limerick.  

There is plenty of history in Limerick and perhaps the most historical landmark here is the medieval King John's Castle. The exhibition held at the castle is full of colour, drama and stories of the Castle and its place in the history of Limerick and Europe. Featured at the entrance of the building, are wooden sculptures representing the soldiers and characters who inhabited the castle at different times in its history. The castle courtyard includes the tents stalls and carts of the time. The courtyard and the towers are brought to life by a soldier, monier (coin maker) and King John telling their stories. Visit the royal mint of King John and see how coins were minted long ago. 

Nearby to the castle is the 12th Century St. Mary's Cathedral, which is well worth a visit. The Cathedral Tower is home to the famous bells of St Mary's. Their distinctive sound can be heard every Sunday morning calling the citizens to morning worship 

Now on to the 19th century to visit No. 2 Pery Square. This Georgian House is regarded as the best example of late Georgian Architecture in Limerick. The house and garden has been fully restored and is open to the public. Exhibitions at the house include The Angela's Ashes Story depicting Limerick as portraye in the Pulitzer Prize winning, world best seller, "Angela’s Ashes", which was filmed on location in Limerick. 

Limerick Hunt Museum, Custom House Limerick, houses an internationally important collection of some 2000 original works. John and Gertrude Hunt selected each piece according to the quality of its design, craftsmanship and artistic merit. Among the many important works of art in the collection are the personal seal of Charles the 1st, of England, the Mary Queen of Scots Cross, a coin revered since the Middle Ages as being one of the “30 pieces if silver” and a bronze horse by Leonardo da Vinci. There are also paintings by Renoir, Picasso, O`Connor and Yeats.  The Hunt Museum is also a lovely place to have lunch

If you want to some healthy exercise while on holidays in Ireland there are plenty of opportunities to play golf from our home. You have the beautiful Adare Manor Golf Course in the exquisite settings of Adare Manor. There is also the beautiful Limerick Golf and Country Club located just 5 minutes away, as is Limerick Golf Club. All these Golf courses are highly reputable and are within a 10 minute drive from our home

Eating out in Limerick is a pleasure, with plenty of different restaurants to choose from:

Casual and good food: Texas Steakout, Moll Darby's, Freddies Bistro

Irish music and food: Dolan's pub and Restaurant

Time required for trip: 2-3 hours

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 3km

Adare is a picturesque village full of thatched cottages just south of Dooneen Lodge. It is home to the world famous Adare Manor and Golf Resort, where you can have a delicious Afternoon Tea between 2.30pm and 5pm followed by a stroll on their magnificent grounds. Take a stroll around the village to see the beautiful cottages, boutiques, churches, Friary and the Adare Heritage Centre. 

To experience Ireland outdoors, what better way is there than to go fishing, angling or hill walking try Celtic Angling whether you are a novice or experienced, interested in fishing or walking.

For an evening meal it is hard to beat the high standards of the Wild Geese Restaurant and a little further on in Ballingarry, The Mustard Seed. The Maigue Restaurant and the Inn Between in the Dunraven Arms hotel are also a great finds.

Time required for trip: 1 day

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 5km

The burren is host to many sights not least the Burren itself which is a karst limestone region of approximately 300 sq km which lies in the north west corner of Co Clare, in Ireland To help interpret the wonder of the Burren, why not visit the Burren Centre. A favourite in the Burren is also Aillwee Cave in Ballyvaughan, which takes 30 minutes to stroll through but during which time you'll see a frozen waterfall. Take a trip to the Burren Smokehouse to see how salmon is smoked and to taste some samples. No trip to the Burren would be complete without a visit to the world famous Cliffs of Moher

For a fantastic place to eat out try Monks Pub & Seafood Restaurant in Ballyvaughan

Time required for trip: 3-4 Hours

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 10km

A visit to the impressive 15th Century Castle is definitely not to be missed. Restored and fully furnished is as it would have been in its glory, it brings to life Medieval Ireland like no other place in the country. It is thoroughly enjoyable for kids who can experience history in a fun and exciting way. Don't miss out on the medieval banquets held nightly in the castle. Beware you might get thrown in the dungeon if you displease the Earl! Next to the castle is the 19th Century Folk Park, where you can see farmhouses, a watermill, blacksmiths forge, Macs pub and restaurant and a display of 19th century agricultural machinery. Once again great fun for the family.  

You can have Irish scones and tea or coffee in the Folk park but for a more substantial meal go across the road to the Creamery Bar and Restaurant next door to the Blarney Woollen Mills

Time required for trip: 1 day

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 100km

Time Required: 2-3Hours

Distance from Dooneen Lodge: 10km

This a lovely drive to do if you want a less hectic day. It brings you through beautiful towns such as Ballina, Killaloe,  Scarriff and Mountshannon. All these towns are on the shore of the wonderful Lough Derg. If you have time you could rent a boat on the lake, through the Killaloe UL Activity Centre.

For something to eat try Goosers Bar & Eating House in Ballina, which serves great affordable bar food but also has a more formal setting in the restaurant.