Built on the orders of King John on King's Island beside the River Shannon, on a site previously settled by Vikings in 922, the castle withstood five sieges in the 17th century. A €5.7 million redevelopment completed in 2013 added interactive exhibitions revealing excavated Viking and medieval remains beneath the courtyard.
Visiting King John's Castle, Limerick
Yes — major visitor attraction with visitor centre, exhibitions and café.
"Built on the orders of King John on King's Island beside the River Shannon, on a site previously settled by Vikings in 922, the castle withstood five sieges in the 17th century."
Where to stay nearby
The closest castle hotel is Dromoland Castle, 21.2 km away in Newmarket-on-Fergus — 16th-century-origin castle, ancestral seat of the O'Briens of Dromoland (descended from Brian Boru), rebuilt after the family submitted to Henry VIII.
Nearest castle hotel · 21.2 km
Dromoland Castle
Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare · 5-star / luxury
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