The high ground sits along the county borders. The Galtee Mountains run about 30 km along the Limerick and Tipperary border and top out at Galtymore, 917.9 m and the highest inland peak in Ireland; the Black Road is the standard ascent, with the Glencushnabinnia circuit over the corrie lakes for stronger walkers. Clare Glens, on the same eastern edge near Newport, is a smaller outing, a 4 km loop over footbridges and steps through a red sandstone gorge, with a 2 km version and two free car parks. Murroe, below the Slieve Felim Mountains, has the Glenstal Abbey grounds and the start of the 43 km Slieve Felim Way.
West Limerick is flat and waymarked. The Limerick Greenway follows 40 km of the old Limerick to Tralee railway from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale without crossing a busy road, and the Great Southern Trail listed here is the same line under its earlier name. The climb from Newcastle West up to Barnagh takes in Ferguson’s Viaduct and the 115 m Barnagh tunnel, with a café at the top. Ardagh and Rathkeale both sit on the route, so you can walk out from either.
South of that, Ardpatrick and Ballyhoura share the Ballyhoura hills, with waymarked trails and 98 km of mountain-bike single-track. The one walk needing no drive is Slí na Sláinte, a 3.3 km signposted loop around King’s Island in Limerick city, past King John’s Castle and the old walls, about an hour at an easy pace.
Ireland's highest inland peak at 917.9 m, with the Black Road ascent of Galtymore and a longer ridge circuit past the northern corrie lakes.
A quiet greenway village with a restored station house, two holy wells and, a mile out, the largest Iron Age hillfort in Ireland.
Monastic ruins on the hill above a small village, with waymarked Ballyhoura trails running out through the Greenwood and long countryside views.
A 4 km loop along both banks of a red sandstone gorge, past waterfalls and plunge pools, with a shorter 2 km option.
Forty kilometres of old railway from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale crossing no busy roads, with the Barnagh tunnel and Ferguson's Viaduct on the best stretch.
9 of 10 shown — tap a pin for the place.
Munster, limerick
The Galtee Mountains run about 30 km along the Limerick–Tipperary border and top out at Galtymore, 917.9 m and the highest inland peak in Ireland. The classic day is the Black Road ascent of Galtymore; more experienced walkers link the northern corrie lakes on the Glencushnabinnia circuit, following a long dry-stone estate wall along the ridge.
Ardagh, limerick
In September 1868 two men digging potatoes near Ardagh turned up the Ardagh Chalice, now the star of the National Museum in Dublin. The village that gave the hoard its name is a quiet stop on the Limerick Greenway, with a restored station house, two holy wells and, a mile out, the largest Iron Age hillfort in Ireland.
Limerick, limerick
Climb to the ancient monastic ruins where St Patrick’s legendary cow once carved a path, then follow waymarked trails through the Greenwood and Ballyhoura hills. A compact village with deep roots, summer music, and sweeping countryside views.
Newport, tipperary
The Clare River carves a gorge along the Tipperary–Limerick boundary, dropping over a run of waterfalls and plunge pools in the red sandstone. A 4km loop follows both banks, crossing footbridges and flights of steps, with a shorter 2km option for a quick visit. Two car parks, free entry, and you'll usually hear the falls before you see them.
limerick
The Limerick Greenway runs 40 km along the old Limerick–Tralee railway, from Rathkeale west to Abbeyfeale, without crossing a single busy road. The best of it is the climb from Newcastle West to Barnagh, where the restored Ferguson’s Viaduct and the 115 m Barnagh tunnel survive from the 19th-century line, and the Barnagh hub at the top has a café and a viewing platform.
Rathkeale, limerick
In 1709 several hundred German Protestant families, refugees from the Rhineland-Palatinate, were settled around Rathkeale, and their descendants and surnames are still here. The Irish Palatine Heritage Centre in the old railway station tells that story, and the 40km Limerick Greenway to Abbeyfeale runs from the same building. The 15th-century Castle Matrix is worth a look from the outside, but it's currently closed to visitors.
King's Island, limerick
A 3.3 km waymarked loop around King's Island, the medieval core of Limerick, signposted at every kilometre as one of the Irish Heart Foundation's Slí na Sláinte ('path to health') routes. It links King John's Castle, the Bishop's Palace, the old city walls and a Shannon-side wetland, and takes about an hour at an easy pace.
Kilfinane, limerick
West Limerick and North Kerry, limerick
Murroe, limerick
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