Under $100: Limerick, Ireland

I studied abroad in Limerick, and absolutely fell in love with the city. It houses the stadium for the Munster Rugby team, a castle, fantastic shopping opportunities and tons of warm and welcoming Irish pubs.

Start your day with a walk around the city. O’Connell Street is in the center and is home to many hotels, pubs and cafes. This is also where you will find the widest variety of stores within the price range, like Penney’s, in addition to high-end retailers and jewelry stores.

Green Acres Cheese & Coffee Shop, Milk Market © Bratty1206 | Dreamstime

If you’re in Limerick on a weekend, you need to stop by the Milk Market on Mungret Street. It’s a lively farmers market where you can buy everything from handmade sweaters to farm-fresh local produce. There are also a few food stands where you can grab a quick bite to eat for lunch on the go for less than €10. The falafel stall and nearby crêpery always have long lines, but are well worth the wait.

Add a little culture to your trip with a trip to Limerick’s Hunt Museum which features items from the Bronze age, paintings by Jack B. Yeats, a menu card by Picasso and a cross owned by Mary, Queen of Scots. Free tours are available, but you are welcome to look around the museum on your own if you prefer. Ireland is also known for its many castles, and Limerick is no exception.

King John’s Castle © Pierre Leclerc | Dreamstime

A short five-minute walk along the river from the Hunt Museum, you will find King John’s Castle. Climb to the top of the castle for breathtaking views of the city, including a few special landmarks like the Munster Rugby stadium, the river Shannon and many of the city’s churches. Admission is €10 for adults, but there are group rates for families.

As far as nightlife is concerned, you can’t go wrong with any of the pubs in the city. Dolans Pub on Dock Road was my absolute favorite place to go out and featured live music almost every night of the week. Their food is also delicious with entrees, costing only €10–20, and better Guinness than I had at the 360 Bar in Dublin. The fish and chips are the best thing on the menu, but the vegetarian curry comes in at a close second. For some reason, curry is surprisingly popular in Ireland, and can often be found served with chips.