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Had a lovely time here! We expected to only spend maybe an hour here but it turned into 3-4 hours of historic learning and fun. The museum is very well done and kid friendly with cute little hands of things for young and young at heart. Mostly ADA friendly, but the climb up the towers definitely is not and has a very narrow and steep spiral staircase so use caution. But the views of Limerick from the top are unbeaten. Loved our visit!
Again, in Ireland, if you book tickets online in advance, you actually get a discount! King John's offered a 10% discount for a total of €11.70 per adult. Why, oh why do we get charged EXTRA for booking tickets online in America??? So, the visit starts with a walk through a museum with a lot of exhibits and reading - great for the history buffs out there. You can probably spend 30 minutes in there reading about the history of the castle, which I thought was really cool. Then, you walk out into a huge open courtyard, and you can freely roam the grounds. You are able to climb up the narrow, winding staircases in the castle towers, and even go all the way up to the rooftop for SPECTACULAR views of the Irish countryside and the River Shannon. You get to visit several rooms within the castle, and there are live action video exhibits featuring actors explaining what the rooms were used for. This wasn't really my cup of tea per se, but it was interesting to listen to for a little while. I'd just rather read about it than watch a corny actor dressed in the garb of the day describing how rough it was for them back in the day. The castle is in pretty good shape, and you can spend a lot of time touring the different rooms, and walking up to the rooftop. It wasn't the best castle I toured, but it certainly wasn't the worst either.
We were able to visit King John's Castle during the holiday season when many attractions are closed, which was nice. The castle itself is an old archaeological site that was recovered, refurbished and opened to the public. As many people had mentioned before, it's a self guided tour with a lot of historical exhibits to learn about the history of the castle and the town of Limerick. Apparently King John is otherwise known as the same Prince John in the stories of Robin Hood! The exhibits were a bit hokey, since they seem to be aimed at children (being able to try on traditional/historical garbs, interactive displays with cartoon animations, role playing actors, etc.) But much of the information/content of the exhibits had adult themes, or used complex language/vocabulary that children wouldn't be able to comprehend very well. I personally learned a lot from the exhibits! Overall, it was educational and interesting, and a lovely way to learn about the history of not only the castle but the county, and even the country!
King John's Castle provides a deep look into Ireland's rich history, long before the castle was built in the early 13th century. A detailed exhibit on early Gaelic society (6th century) includes an overview of the legal system known as the Brehon Laws. The key takeaway for me was the fact that women were treated as equals. What a concept! The castle endured a number of sieges in the 17th century. In one of my photos, you'll see a large sand courtyard. Look carefully at the center where you can make out rectangular shapes in the ground. It wasn't until the 1990's that archaeologists came in and realized that bodies were buried there. They were victims of a siege and were interred in a mass grave. That part of the castle, it turns out, provided the best shelter from the attacks. It's believed there are/were more burial pits, but they may have been destroyed by construction over the centuries. The castle's dark history continued into the 20th century, when it was under siege again in the Irish Civil War of 1922. Let's hope those troubled days are over, and that the castle will remain just a tourist attraction.
It starts with lots and lots and lots and lots and then some more lots of information and history about the castle. But its good stuff! Afterwards you get to explore the actual castle's rooms and towers...its awesome! This is the kind of castle I would have built with Legos as a kid. 10euro, worth every penny.
Lucky us -- our traveling group of 7 made a lunch stop in lovely Limerick, and King Johns Castle was just across the river. A phenomenally well done historic castle with excellent exhibits for all ages, sweeping views of the city from the upper levels, rich in education and pleasing to walk through. The staff were very nice and well informed, the loos clean and abundant, there's a pleasant cafe and gift shop at the end, and the interactive activities within the courtyard are fun for everyone (archery, storytelling, et al). Have just a few hours in Limerick? 1. Lunch at Curragower. 2. A stop in to King Johns Castle. We hadn't even planned this little jaunt (just needed to pop in somewhere on our long drive for a rest and some food) and it ended up being a highlight of the trip. Highly recommended! *Small entry fee definitely worth it. Children under 5 are free.
First off, thanks for being open in December (most castles are closed in the off season due to low tourism). This is a self-guided tour, good history displays, videos, plaques, slightly interactive actors on video playing a role explaining the history. After the displays and films, you can walk through this military castle thru the towers, and see the several professions such as the chancery, monetary, soldiers room. The views from the ramparts & towers of the city & river is nice. The stairs to the towers are very narrow and only slow traffic one-way at a time. I enjoyed it and was an interesting glimpse in the history of Limerick.
Came here for the short version of the tour as it was a work party. They also provided us with some team-building activities on the roof such as archery and sword-fighting, which was fun if very cheesy. The food we were provided with was just alright, the area being a bit unfit for a large group to have a buffet, and ended up with queues and literally tables behind walls so it wasn't the most conducive for conversation and mingling within the office. The view, however, from the top of the castle, make it all worth it. It's something else, and we caught it just as the sun was going down.
This Castle built on the orders of King John in the early 13th C. occupies a commanding position on the southern bank of the River Shannon, here in Limerick, on what was the site of an earlier Viking settlement. Limerick, (Luimneach), now the third largest city in Ireland, prospered as a port and trading centre under Norman rule, and the city was divided into two areas: "English Town" on the north side of the Shannon, while here on the south side another settlement, named "Irish Town" grew up. A mint was established a mint in the north west tower of the castle. Today slightly comical wax figures are shown making coins stamped with Kings John's head. And in another part of the castle you can even see King John himself scowling on his throne, though he never actually came here. This was a five-sided castle, with high curtain walls surrounding a rectangular yard, it has been repaired and rebuilt many times over the years, particularly after being severely damaged in the Siege of Limerick 1642. Later In the 18th C, a military barracks was built within the castle. Today the southside is entirely occupied by a not terribly attractive modern building, through which you enter, though inside it's great, containing a very good museum/exhibition, with excellent audio/visual displays & a gift shop, beneath which are visable archaeological excavations from the Pre-Norman settlement. It's a fun castle lots of space, you can climb up the winding stone steps to one of the towers, disappointingly if you're as much of a kid as I am, you can't go along all of the battlements & towers, although it looks like you should be able to. It's all very well maintained, and imaginatively they have gone some way to recreating the medieval atmosphere in the spacious courtyard, there's even a gallows!
3 years ago
The first castle I've ever toured! We paid €10.50 (student pricing) to get in. We gave ourselves about an hour but I definitely wish we came earlier for more time. There is so much to learn, watch, and interact with in the castle. It was super neat learning the history & even neater taking in the views. I could have easily spent 2+ hours just exploring every nook and cranny. There is a car park across the street that is free if you are going to the castle. The only downside is that the castle does close quite early, but I noticed everything in the city does. The hours for when we were there on a Saturday was 0930-1700. The car park closes when the castle closes. If you're into history & castles, I'd definitely recommend at least 2 hours to give a good visit here. read more
4 years ago
The castle that King John never visited! Beautiful history museum and castle to visit if you're in town. Entrance fee is about 13 per adult but cheaper if purchased online. You first get to go through the history museum and then out into the court yard outside the castle. You can then head to the top of the castle and through the nook and crannies of the building. You can see the river and town from the top. Great view! Lots of Ireland history and beautiful architecture. There's a little Cafe and gift shop towards the end. Must visit! read more
1 year ago
Amazing historical site filled with information about Limerick's beginnings as a viking raiders village to it's becoming a powerful center of Ireland read more
Had a lovely time here! We expected to only spend maybe an hour here but it turned into 3-4 hours of historic learning and fun. The museum is very well done and kid friendly with cute little hands of things for young and young at heart. Mostly ADA friendly, but the climb up the towers definitely is not and has a very narrow and steep spiral staircase so use caution. But the views of Limerick from the top are unbeaten. Loved our visit! read more
Again, in Ireland, if you book tickets online in advance, you actually get a discount! King John's offered a 10% discount for a total of €11.70 per adult. Why, oh why do we get charged EXTRA for booking tickets online in America??? So, the visit starts with a walk through a museum with a lot of exhibits and reading - great for the history buffs out there. You can probably spend 30 minutes in there reading about the history of the castle, which I thought was really cool. Then, you walk out into a huge open courtyard, and you can freely roam the grounds. You are able to climb up the narrow, winding staircases in the castle towers, and even go all the way up to the rooftop for SPECTACULAR views of the Irish countryside and the River Shannon. You get to visit several rooms within the castle, and there are live action video exhibits featuring actors explaining what the rooms were used for. This wasn't really my cup of tea per se, but it was interesting to listen to for a little while. I'd just rather read about it than watch a corny actor dressed in the garb of the day describing how rough it was for them back in the day. The castle is in pretty good shape, and you can spend a lot of time touring the different rooms, and walking up to the rooftop. It wasn't the best castle I toured, but it certainly wasn't the worst either. read more
3 years ago
This was an amazing place to spend a good few hours! The views from the top of the towers were incredible. Relatively cheap entry fee and towns of little things to see and learn about! I HIGHLY recommend takin a look to see for yourself! read more
7 years ago
We were able to visit King John's Castle during the holiday season when many attractions are closed, which was nice. The castle itself is an old archaeological site that was recovered, refurbished and opened to the public. As many people had mentioned before, it's a self guided tour with a lot of historical exhibits to learn about the history of the castle and the town of Limerick. Apparently King John is otherwise known as the same Prince John in the stories of Robin Hood! The exhibits were a bit hokey, since they seem to be aimed at children (being able to try on traditional/historical garbs, interactive displays with cartoon animations, role playing actors, etc.) But much of the information/content of the exhibits had adult themes, or used complex language/vocabulary that children wouldn't be able to comprehend very well. I personally learned a lot from the exhibits! Overall, it was educational and interesting, and a lovely way to learn about the history of not only the castle but the county, and even the country! read more
7 years ago
King John's Castle provides a deep look into Ireland's rich history, long before the castle was built in the early 13th century. A detailed exhibit on early Gaelic society (6th century) includes an overview of the legal system known as the Brehon Laws. The key takeaway for me was the fact that women were treated as equals. What a concept! The castle endured a number of sieges in the 17th century. In one of my photos, you'll see a large sand courtyard. Look carefully at the center where you can make out rectangular shapes in the ground. It wasn't until the 1990's that archaeologists came in and realized that bodies were buried there. They were victims of a siege and were interred in a mass grave. That part of the castle, it turns out, provided the best shelter from the attacks. It's believed there are/were more burial pits, but they may have been destroyed by construction over the centuries. The castle's dark history continued into the 20th century, when it was under siege again in the Irish Civil War of 1922. Let's hope those troubled days are over, and that the castle will remain just a tourist attraction. read more
It starts with lots and lots and lots and lots and then some more lots of information and history about the castle. But its good stuff! Afterwards you get to explore the actual castle's rooms and towers...its awesome! This is the kind of castle I would have built with Legos as a kid. 10euro, worth every penny. read more
10 years ago
Lucky us -- our traveling group of 7 made a lunch stop in lovely Limerick, and King Johns Castle was just across the river. A phenomenally well done historic castle with excellent exhibits for all ages, sweeping views of the city from the upper levels, rich in education and pleasing to walk through. The staff were very nice and well informed, the loos clean and abundant, there's a pleasant cafe and gift shop at the end, and the interactive activities within the courtyard are fun for everyone (archery, storytelling, et al). Have just a few hours in Limerick? 1. Lunch at Curragower. 2. A stop in to King Johns Castle. We hadn't even planned this little jaunt (just needed to pop in somewhere on our long drive for a rest and some food) and it ended up being a highlight of the trip. Highly recommended! *Small entry fee definitely worth it. Children under 5 are free. read more
First off, thanks for being open in December (most castles are closed in the off season due to low tourism). This is a self-guided tour, good history displays, videos, plaques, slightly interactive actors on video playing a role explaining the history. After the displays and films, you can walk through this military castle thru the towers, and see the several professions such as the chancery, monetary, soldiers room. The views from the ramparts & towers of the city & river is nice. The stairs to the towers are very narrow and only slow traffic one-way at a time. I enjoyed it and was an interesting glimpse in the history of Limerick. read more
Came here for the short version of the tour as it was a work party. They also provided us with some team-building activities on the roof such as archery and sword-fighting, which was fun if very cheesy. The food we were provided with was just alright, the area being a bit unfit for a large group to have a buffet, and ended up with queues and literally tables behind walls so it wasn't the most conducive for conversation and mingling within the office. The view, however, from the top of the castle, make it all worth it. It's something else, and we caught it just as the sun was going down. read more
7 years ago
Fantastic place to visit! This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip! Limerick itself is a "Must Visit" for anyone going to Ireland. The views are amazing and the town is so laid back. I can't wait to go back!! read more
17 years ago
This Castle built on the orders of King John in the early 13th C. occupies a commanding position on the southern bank of the River Shannon, here in Limerick, on what was the site of an earlier Viking settlement. Limerick, (Luimneach), now the third largest city in Ireland, prospered as a port and trading centre under Norman rule, and the city was divided into two areas: "English Town" on the north side of the Shannon, while here on the south side another settlement, named "Irish Town" grew up. A mint was established a mint in the north west tower of the castle. Today slightly comical wax figures are shown making coins stamped with Kings John's head. And in another part of the castle you can even see King John himself scowling on his throne, though he never actually came here. This was a five-sided castle, with high curtain walls surrounding a rectangular yard, it has been repaired and rebuilt many times over the years, particularly after being severely damaged in the Siege of Limerick 1642. Later In the 18th C, a military barracks was built within the castle. Today the southside is entirely occupied by a not terribly attractive modern building, through which you enter, though inside it's great, containing a very good museum/exhibition, with excellent audio/visual displays & a gift shop, beneath which are visable archaeological excavations from the Pre-Norman settlement. It's a fun castle lots of space, you can climb up the winding stone steps to one of the towers, disappointingly if you're as much of a kid as I am, you can't go along all of the battlements & towers, although it looks like you should be able to. It's all very well maintained, and imaginatively they have gone some way to recreating the medieval atmosphere in the spacious courtyard, there's even a gallows! read more
7 years ago
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10 years ago
The tour begins with an interesting interactive walkthrough. It was very informative. I really liked how they make sure visitors understand the significance of the history behind the castle before exploring the castle itself. After the walkthrough, visitors get to explore the castle and different rooms - this is all self-guided. The tour ends at the gift shop/cafe. Overall, a very cool tour! read more
In the last 30 years, King John's Castle has moved from a state of relative neglect to a a state of relative grooviness. On my first visit, aged about seven, my Dad had to hold me by the scruff of my collar to prevent me from falling and hurting myself on the uneven old flagstones. This was of course before health and safety regulations were invented in Ireland. I distinctly remember weeds growing on the walls of the castle itself, making it look sad and decrepit. The sprucing up for the 1991 Treaty 300 celebrations were an improvement, but the current exhibits and interactive displays are really cool. Apparently one of the people behind the Titanic experience in Belfast worked on the new interactive displays, and combining these with access to the layers of archaeological remains makes for a really great experience. There's quite a lot of the castle to just walk around, and some great views of the Shannon estuary and of the city from the ramparts and the courtyard. A great way to spend a couple of hours. read more
17 years ago
King John's (built in the early 1200s) is a big castle with a big history. It's had big money spent on it too - the flashy main entrance leads to a multi-level interpretive centre that recounts the turbulent history of the castle and the area. You can still access the walls and towers, and view things like the early sallyport, armoury, and some pre-Norman (maybe Viking) foundations. It's a bit cheerless and empty on the inside, but the views of the Shannon are pretty, and if (like me) you're a castle nut you'll appreciate the interesting fortifications that were ground-breaking for the times. read more
8 years ago
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The castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The castle has an interpretive centre and a historical exhibition. The courtyard and the castle display some of the trades and traditions of the 16th century with costumed characters. A great place to visit when in Limerick. read more
8 years ago
8 years ago
Best visit. We should've skipped other things to spend more time here. So interesting and entertaining. All five in our family thoroughly enjoyed. Only had an hour and wished we had had spent three. Complete castle experience. Very educational and physically we got to walk the whole castle. read more
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