King John's Castle

King John's Castle Step inside 800 years of history at King John's Castle, Limerick 🏰

Open 7 days a week They will experience Limerick’s history
as never before.
(752)

King John's Castle closed October 30th 2012 for a €6 million redevelopment
programme which will lead to a unique visitor experience at the castle in time for
next season. In 2013, visitors of all ages will find something to inspire and excite
them at King John’s Castle in Limerick City. The castle will boast a brand new visitor centre, bringing together
the castle’s remarkable archaeology and 21

st century technology allowing visitors
to fully explore and discover King John’s Castle. John also knows as Lackland was King of England from April 1199 until his death
at the 50 yrs of age in 1216. He was the youngest of 5 sons King Henry II of England
& Eleanor of Aquitane. He was appointed Lord of Ireland at age 12. He is most
well-known for signing the Magna Carta into existence in 1219 which was a
pre-curser to the Bill of Rights as we know it today. He was brother to Richard the
Lionheart. History generally describes him as petty, vindictive & childish. He has been cast as a villain in the fictional Robin Hood stories. King John died of
dysentry at age 50 in 1216.

Appletown Apple Fest is coming to King John’s Castle on Sunday, 13 September, from 10.30am–4pm as part of Linger Food Fe...
02/09/2026

Appletown Apple Fest is coming to King John’s Castle on Sunday, 13 September, from 10.30am–4pm as part of Linger Food Festival.

Spend the day discovering Limerick’s heritage apple varieties, tasting freshly pressed juice, hearing the stories behind our local orchards and getting involved in talks, film, creative activities and our Apple Tart Competition.

The heritage apple tasting and traditional apple pressing will run in the castle courtyard from 10.40am–4pm and are included with standard castle admission.

There’s also a programme of talks, the Appletown film screening and Apple Tart Competition, with a nominal €2 registration fee for these events. Our Apple Tree Leaf Monoprinting Workshop for children aged 6–12 is €10.

Come along and discover the story of Limerick’s apples, from orchard to glass.

Sunday 13 September | 10.30am–4pm | King John’s Castle

Irish Seedsavers, Scariff Limerick Civic Trust

24/08/2026

POV: your Thursday night plans just got a lot more creative 🎨🍷

Join us at King John’s Castle for an evening of wine glass painting, a complimentary drink and plenty of time to get creative.

Tickets are €25 and available to purchase on our website.

21/08/2026

🏹 Step back in time at King John’s Castle!

Experience Arrows & Iron today with live medieval archery and traditional skills brought to life ⚔️

🎟️ Plus, enjoy 10% off admission today to celebrate National Heritage Week!

📍 King John’s Castle
⏰ Running until 4pm today

Come along and experience history in action! 🏹

HeritageWeek MedievalLimerick

National Heritage Week: Storylines with Conni DawsonJoin traditional Irish musician and storyteller Conni Dawson (The St...
19/08/2026

National Heritage Week: Storylines with Conni Dawson

Join traditional Irish musician and storyteller Conni Dawson (The Street Harpist) at King John’s Castle this Thursday for a captivating morning of myth, music and storytelling.

Journey along the River Shannon through the stories of Ceithleann of the Crooked Teeth and Síonnan, accompanied by the ancient sound of the Irish harp.

Discover how Ireland’s myths, landscapes and oral traditions are woven together — and why keeping these stories alive matters.

📅 Thursday, 20 August | 11am–12pm
📍 Siege Café, King John’s Castle
🎟️ Free event – no booking required!

Come along and experience Ireland’s living heritage through story, song and harp.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Snáitheanna / Threads Festival on Saturday as part of National Herita...
18/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Snáitheanna / Threads Festival on Saturday as part of National Heritage Week at King John’s Castle and August Crafts Month.

It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate traditional crafts, creativity and our rich textile heritage.

One of the highlights of the day was a very special moment when one of our visitors presented us with a 100-year-old piece of Limerick Lace. What an incredible piece of history to share and admire!

And the Heritage Week celebrations continue! Check out our other Heritage Week events happening this Thursday and Friday - we’d love to see you there!

Tickets are available on our website.
https://kingjohnscastle.ie/our-events/ #

Twilight Thursday is back at King John’s Castle!Join us on Thursday 27 August for ..🌙 Evening Guided Tour | 6.30pm–7.30p...
18/08/2026

Twilight Thursday is back at King John’s Castle!

Join us on Thursday 27 August for ..

🌙 Evening Guided Tour | 6.30pm–7.30pm

Explore King John’s Castle after hours and hear the stories, history and legends of the castle on a special evening tour.

🌙 Sip & Craft: Design Your Own Wine Glass | 6.30pm–8pm

Enjoy a drink and get creative with a relaxed wine glass painting workshop with artist Mairead Conway. All materials are provided, and you’ll take your finished glass home with you.

Tickets are limited and available to book now on our website.

We’re on the telly! 📺We’re delighted to be showcasing King John’s Castle and some of the very exciting events we have co...
13/08/2026

We’re on the telly! 📺

We’re delighted to be showcasing King John’s Castle and some of the very exciting events we have coming up for National Heritage Week on IrelandAM this morning.

Here’s a little sneak peek at what’s in store as we explore this year’s National Heritage Week theme, Heritage at Risk.

Arrows & Iron: Medieval Skills in Action ⚒️This Heritage Week, step into the courtyard at King John’s Castle and see med...
12/08/2026

Arrows & Iron: Medieval Skills in Action ⚒️

This Heritage Week, step into the courtyard at King John’s Castle and see medieval skills brought to life.

Watch Guild Master Bowyer Jack Pinson demonstrate traditional longbow making, see Tony Vincent at the blacksmith’s forge, and from 11am–3pm, have a go at traditional archery with the Archers of Limerick and their Great Brown Bear Archery Challenge.

Part of National Heritage Week 2026, exploring this year’s theme, Heritage at Risk.

📅 Friday 21 August | 10am–4pm
🏹 Included with general admission

Get 10% off admission with code HERITAGE10 when booking for Friday 21 August only.


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🎨 This National Heritage Week, bring the kids along to King John’s Castle for a fun and creative art workshop inspired b...
12/08/2026

🎨 This National Heritage Week, bring the kids along to King John’s Castle for a fun and creative art workshop inspired by the castle’s textures, patterns and architecture.

Children aged 6–12 will use Play-Dough to make impressions of the castle, turn them into prints and then create their own artwork from the pieces.

A great way to explore the castle through art, creativity and play.

Places are limited to 20. Parents/guardians stay for the workshop but do not need a ticket.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

We're delighted to be showcasing 'Lovely Limerick' in the admissions area of King John's Castle, where it has been admir...
04/08/2026

We're delighted to be showcasing 'Lovely Limerick' in the admissions area of King John's Castle, where it has been admired by visitors from near and far.

Created by the adult learners of Down Syndrome Limerick as part of their Sustainable Limerick Programme, this vibrant artwork celebrates the city through the eyes of its talented artists.

'Lovely Limerick' was created by Yolanda Baig, Fionn Casey Donnelly, Naoise Dooley, Áine Foley, Shane Griffin, Lorraine Kelly, Sinéad Kingston, Sorcha McEvoy, Conor McGrath, Noel Darragh Martin, Jessica O'Grady and Ritchie Walsh under the guidance of their tutor, Margaret Brickenden.

Address

Nicholas Street
Limerick
0

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+35361370500

Website

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