When I got to limerick, it had a very different environment than I was expecting. Once again, I was thinking the “normal” Ireland that Hollywood engraved into our minds. Couldn’t really be mad that I was wrong. It felt so good to be away from the New York hustle.
Limerick is Ireland’s third biggest city. Think of it as the Irish Chicago without the skyscrapers, traffic jams and hot dogs. Limerick was surprisingly very calm and quiet. This part of Ireland really feels like the suburbs. I know mentioned that in the past post. However, there is no other way to express the environment. It’s a place that most would love to raise a family in.
When you get off the airport shuttle from Shannon airport, you are dropped off at the central bus and train station. To get to Dublin, you can take either a bus or a train. If you take a train, it would cost you about 35 euros. Which, I did not see the value. I spent about 15 USA dollars for my bus ticket to Dublin. That was probably about 11 euros at the time. It’s more economically to use the bus. If you use the train, you are saving about an hour of travel time. Using the bus takes about 3 hours including traffic. However, you probably won’t see traffic until you are near Dublin.
Had about an hour before my bus was scheduled to leave. I had to explore what was nearby. Sadly, there wasn’t much activity going on near the station. It felt like a small city. I know this wasn’t downtown. So, I can not judge. Yet, there’s sense of emptiness. Maybe it’s because I lived in New York City for such a long time. It might be the background noise that I miss. Whatever it was, limerick didn’t have it. For some reason, I liked it. The slower pace of limerick, made you enjoy more of the moment.
Sitting down on a chair people watching near the station getting lost in my thoughts. Enjoying the minutes go by slowly. Truly the vacation I didn’t know I needed. First time in awhile, I felt at peace. No rushing to get to point A to poin B. This is what feels to just live your life away from the hustle and bustle. The more I travel outside of the USA and New York City, the more I realize how much a small vacation is needed for mental health. Ireland felt like a refreshing spa. Something everybody needs when living a stressful life. Hopefully I would still enjoy Dublin as much as I enjoyed limerick. Couldn’t wait to see what Ireland’s most famous city had to offer.
Thank you so much for reading!!! Much love and safe travels!!
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This is the beautiful country, one of kind, visit some rural towns. People, living there, with the specific 6th sense, reading in your thoughts. We are calling this rule ‘Always listen to your gut’ and following it.
Nice! Hopefully, i will get the chance. Yes, learned through out my travel that gut feeling is usually right
Great one! I’ve been all over England/Scotland but never Ireland. It’s high on the list. And I like you site reminds me of the Let’sGo! group if that’s still a thing. I’ll be back for more.
Wow! Never been to scotland but i hope to very soon. Safe travels!
Take the adventure of villages here. Unforgettable. Connemara is like: ‘To see, survive and die for that place’.
mice! thank you for the suggestions !!
FYI there is a Hollywood in Ireland. Hollywood in the US is named after it. Visit if you can.
thank you for letting me know! never knew!
i wonder why the usa was named after it?
The brothers who developed Hollywood in USA were Irish.
Great post and lovely photos. Limerick looks like a great place to explore, even after 17 years in Ireland I still haven’t had a chance to visit. Thanks for sharing and safe travels 😀 Aiva
Wow that’s intetesting! No problem! Limerick is pretty cool! I love all of Ireland. You all are good hearted people
Glad you got to visit Ireland. Like you’ve I’ve only see Irish movies that are filmed in Dublin or movies like “Matchmaker” that feature small town Ireland. Hope you got a chance to explore the more outlying areas. There are so many old sacred sites and Celtic sites. Did you see the movie “Once” or “Sing street”, by the same director? Great Irish films. Hope you had a great rest of your trip!
love, katelon
Thank you, i did get to explore a little of the smaller towns. Just didn’t know what town because of lack of phone service. I have seen once. Lovely movie, flower girl with the musician. Never saw the sing street. Defintely have to watch it! Thank you again for movie suggestions!
We do have more, Katelon. ‘The Dream House’ and ‘Muse’ , also the Irish Directors. My book, ‘Letters from my Father’ – most chapters have been written after visiting Connemara and Galway’s beach.
I do remember the last trip back home, I spent hours, having my clothes wet, in car without any heating! It was the season of storms. Meet the Divine – the journey of our life! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland and Scotland also England.
Hope you get to go there! I haven’t been to scotland yet! I hope to go there as well!
I love Ireland. I went there for the first time a few years ago and it was a dream come true. I took a train around the country and it was amazing everywhere I went. I did not make it to Northern Ireland, but HAVE to go back to visit The Gobbins! 🙂
Hahaha! Yes ireland is amazing! Definitely have to visit north Ireland as well!! Hope you get to go soon!
Looks like a lovely little town. Ireland is number 1 on my international bucket list.
Ireland is a amazing! Definitely go when you get the chance
Hoping to go in two years. 😊
I wish you the best! Hope you go!!
It’s been years since I have been to Ireland….loved it there.
Yeah ireland is awesome!
I so agree when you said that vacations are good for our mental health. Still love the way how you write about your travel experiences!
Thank you so much! Hope all is good on your end!! Safe travels!!
I’ve never heard of Limerick, Ireland before this post but what a cool name for a city! Haha. Yeah, it’s great to just take it easy and people watch and de-stress in a new place. There’s no better feeling. It can really restore you. I’ve never been to New York City but I’ve always heard it moves so quickly and can be so stressful. Everyone needs a break from that at some point and I’m very glad you’ve had one. Such a cool blog. I’m gonna check out the ebook, too, because traveling is fun but often times, NOT CHEAP! Haha. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reading! Limerick does sound cool now that i think of it lol yeah new york is stressful!! Safe travels!
I enjoyed reading your post. I have never been there so this is the next best thing! Thanks!
Thank you for reading!
I have not been to Limerick in many years- I will have to go back sometime. Dublin just always call my name.
I understand what you mean Dublin is special
It’s about 20 years since I visited Limerick but yes it did have that empty feeling. We didn’t see it at its best certainly because it was in the midst of a really wet period of weather. My great great grandparents came from this region so I was especially keen to see it…..
Never been but would love to go to Ireland. The nature looks incredible from photos I have seen.
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I especially liked: ‘the slower pace … made you enjoy more of the moment’. No mention of Lear’s Limericks 🙂
love the play on words! thank you for reading!
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I’ve never visited Limerick, so I can’t comment on the town itself. I do know it is much less touristy than other towns in Ireland….perhaps that contributed to the “empty feel” you felt? You are also traveling in the “low tourist season,” which may be a factor, as well. Of course, anything seems empty compared to NYC. 😉 Love that you took the opportunity to slow down and just enjoy the moment. Hope this trip is a refreshing one.
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