A common misconception among travelers is that Shannon is a city when actually Shannon is the International Airport that serves the Shannon River Valley and mainly the city of Limerick, Ireland. Limerick was founded by the Vikings in 922 AD on an island between the Shannon and Abbey Rivers. This ideal location made the city particularly easy to defend. Limerick quickly began to thrive however, the early Viking settlers began to fight amongst themselves while fighting the Irish at the same time. A attack of Viking soldiers from Dublin was unsuccessful in 924 AD, but in 968 the town of Limerick would be captured by the Irish who in turn killed many of her citizens. Battles between forces would continue on through the 11th century when Limerick was for the last time conquered by the Irish and the Vikings gradually immersed themselves into Irish society. Much of the city''s early contributions were in the way of craftsmanship including blacksmiths, potters and carpenters.
In the late 12th century St. Mary''s Cathedral and the nunnery would be completed just in time for the English to capture the city. St Mary''s Cathedral was completed. But soon after the people of Limerick received a charter granting them certain autonomous rights. Under King John''s reign and through much of the 13th century Limerick saw a great deal of growth including the addition of Thomond Bridge and King John''s Castle and soon the friars arrived to preach their religion and help the poor. Many English immigrants settled themselves in on Kings Island in Englishtown while the Irish moved themselves across the Abbey River and created their very own Irishtown. But Limerick would prosper from its exportation of local produce while importing wine from France and Spain. It was during this century that Trinitarian Abbey was built. The success of the city attracted the likes of the Scots who began attempts to conquer the city in 1315 and led by Edward Bruce were successful a year later. This occupation was short lived and in 1318 the Scots were defeated by the English army, and Edward was killed.
Limerick survived the 16th century in fact and continued to make advancements in trading and industry. But the 17th century was turbulent for both Ireland and Limerick as they fielded no less than four sieges. It was the year 1641 when Ireland launched it''s rebellion against English occupation and in 1642 the Irish army invaded Limerick forcing the English troops into the castle. The English managed to ward off the siege for a month but were forced to concede when they realized the Irish were digging tunnels under the castle walls to burn the wooden supports. This was a tactic commonly known as mining the walls. The mid 17th century saw the reconquest of Ireland under Cromwell and the English army led by Henry Ireton arrived in Limerick shortly there after. But Limerick was heavily defended and the English were unsuccessful. Their next course of action would be to blockade the city. Things became disastrous when the Plague broke out and all but decimated the defenders. But the people of Limerick led by the honorable , Hugh O''Neil held out for 5 months before they were forced to surrender.
After being deposed from the thrown in 1688, Catholic King James II arrived in Ireland with a league of French troops following. The Irish rose in support but were defeated at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. James then fled to France while his army retreated west and despite their defeat in Boyne they made attempts to defend Limerick. The new English king William of Orange arrived during the late summer and waited patiently for his arsenal to brought in from Dublin. However, Patrick Sarsfield intercepted their delivery and destroyed the entire lot of ammunition, wagons, horses and supplies. It was a small victory, but unfortunately only delayed the inevitable and provoked the enemy. Though Williams men took advantage of a breach in the city''s walls, without ammunition they were forced to retreat only to return several months later under the direction of Ginkel a Dutchman as William of Orange was also the king of Holland.
In less than two weeks the English army had demoralized the French so successfully that they would be forced to ask for a truce. The official surrender of Limerick was October 3, 1691. The treaty would not be honored by the English, but the stone on which the treaty of Limerick was signed was preserved.
For nearly one hundred years after the siege Limerick was an official fortress with troops patrolling the walls. Even the gates were locked at night and on Sundays, but by the mid-18th century the status of the city had shifted and most of the medieval walls were destroyed. During the 19th century many new additions were added to the cityscape of Limerick. The Old Town Hall was built in 1803, the County Court House in 1810, the city''s first hospital opened in 1811 and St. Saviours Dominican Church was built in 1816. The Scarsfield Bridge was built in 1827 while the Thormond Bridge was rebuilt in 1836. Villiers Alms Houses were built in 1830 and second hospital, Barringtons Hospital, was built in 1830. St Johns Cathedral was built in 1859. And the spire was added in 1883. Taits Clock was built in 1867 in honour of sir Peter Tait and the Sarsfield Monument was erected in 1880. Work began on the Fransiscan Church in 1876 but it was not finished until 1936.
Despite this growth and improvements made in the city, there was much poverty in Limerick during the 19th century. Much of the infrastructure was advanced beginning with the water supply in 1824 to the first electric light in Limerick in 1880. The railway network stretched to reach Limerick in 1848 following its connection to Tipperary. The Peoples Park was designated in 1876.
In the late 20th century tourism has became the major industry in Ireland as travelers from around the world flock to Ireland to enjoy the emerald isle at its finest. Perhaps the most common route for travelers in Ireland begins in Shannon with a scoop down along the coast of Ireland where they end up in Dublin for their departure. But before you head on for your tour of Ireland be sure to check out all that Limerick has to offer.
