Limerick is a city located in western Ireland, specifically in County Limerick and the province of Munster. It's the third-most populous urban area in the Republic of Ireland, with a population of over 102,000 as of 2022. Founded by Scandinavian settlers in 812 during the Viking Age, Limerick has a rich history and is a significant urban center in the Mid-West region of Ireland.
In 1904, Father John Creagh instigated the Limerick boycott, an economic boycott against the Jewish community accompanied by intimidation and assaults.
In April 1919, the Limerick Soviet was established during the Irish War of Independence, resulting from a general strike against the British Army's declaration of a 'Special Military Area'.
In 1922, St. Munchin's College won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 1989, the NIHE became the University of Limerick, the first university established since 1922.
In 1937, Castletroy Golf Club was founded in the suburb of Castletroy in Limerick city.
In 1937, Limerick FC joined the League of Ireland for the first time.
In 1942, Shannon Airport opened, offering transatlantic flights and boosting the region's connectivity.
The previous city boundary, encompassing 2,086 hectares, was delineated in 1950.
In 1959, Shannon Airport facilitated the opening of the Shannon Free Zone, attracting numerous multinational companies to the region.
In 1961, the Gaelic Grounds hosted Ireland's biggest crowd for a sporting event outside of Croke Park, with over 61,000 people attending the Munster hurling final between Tipperary and Cork.
In 1967, Limerick CBS won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
Since 1968, St. Munchin's has won the Senior Cup five times.
In 1969, NIHE Limerick was established, marking a milestone in the campaign for a third-level educational institute in the city, later becoming the University of Limerick.
In 1971, electronic musician Richard D. James, known as Aphex Twin, was born in Limerick.
In 1972, the University of Limerick was established as the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE).
In 1978, Munster recorded a famous 12–0 victory against the New Zealand All Blacks at Thomond Park.
In 1980, Limerick Golf Club became the first Irish club to win the European Club Championship.
In 1987, the National Collection of Contemporary Drawing founded by the artist Samuel Walsh.
In 1989, NIHE Limerick became the University of Limerick.
In 1989, the NIHE became the University of Limerick, the first university established since 1922.
In 1989, the University of Limerick (UL) won the Fitzgibbon Cup, marking their first victory in the All-Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championship.
In 1990, the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am was established, contributing significantly to local charities.
In 1991, Thomond College of Education, Limerick was integrated into the University of Limerick.
Since its inception in 1991, the All-Ireland League has been dominated by Limerick City teams.
In 1993, Limerick CBS won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In the year 1993, the Limerick College of Art, Commerce & Technology achieved the designation of a Regional Technical College (RTC).
In 1994, RTÉ lyric fm, a state-run classical music radio station, began broadcasting from studios in Cornmarket Square.
In the year 1997, the Limerick College of Art, Commerce & Technology achieved the designation of an Institute of Technology.
In 1998, Dolan's Warehouse, a live music venue, was established on the Dock Road.
In 1998, Rathbane Golf Course, a municipal facility, opened on the southern outskirts of Limerick city.
In 1999, Greenpark Racecourse, located inside the city, closed after 130 years of racing.
In 2000, the county won its first Munster Under-21 title for Gaelic football.
In 2001, St Michael's member and Limerick native Sam Lynch won the World Rowing Championships gold medal in the Men's Lightweight Single Sculls.
In 2002, St Michael's member and Limerick native Sam Lynch won the World Rowing Championships gold medal in the Men's Lightweight Single Sculls.
In 2002, the drama 'The Real Thing' was filmed in Limerick.
In 2003, Ardscoil Rís won the Junior Cup.
In 2003, the drama 'Cowboys & Angels' was filmed in Limerick.
In 2004, Limerick's Gaelic Grounds underwent reconstruction, resulting in a capacity of 49,000.
In 2005, Ardscoil Rís won the Junior Cup for a second time.
In 2005, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) secured their first Fitzgibbon Cup victory in the All-Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championship.
In 2005, the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am relocated to Adare Golf Club due to its growth.
In 2005, the Treaty City Titans, representing Limerick, won one of their eight All-Ireland Rugby League Championship titles.
By 2006, most fishermen in Limerick had relinquished their drift net licences and the fishing industry was considered dormant.
In 2006, Griffith College Limerick (GCL) was established when the Mid-West Business Institute was acquired by Griffith College.
In late 2006, a proposal suggested the opening of Ireland's first Polish bank in the area during 2007.
In January 2007, Munster's record of 26 consecutive unbeaten games in the Heineken Cup ended with a 16–9 defeat by Leicester.
In 2007, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) won the Fitzgibbon Cup for the second time in the All-Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championship.
In 2007, the University of Limerick opened a medical school.
In late 2006, a proposal suggested the opening of Ireland's first Polish bank in the area during 2007.
From 2008 onwards the recession caused a reduction of footfall in the city centre leading to store closures.
From 2008 onwards, outward migration followed the collapse of the local and national economy.
In 2008, Adare Golf Club played host to the Irish Open for a second time.
In 2008, Castletroy College won both the Senior and Junior Cups.
In 2008, Munster narrowly lost to the New Zealand All Blacks 18–16 at Thomond Park.
In 2008, a limited boundary extension on the city's north side enlarged the city boundary by 1,020 hectares.
In 2008, the Limerick Writers' Centre was established, supporting Limerick's literature scene.
In January 2009, Dell announced it would close its Limerick computer manufacturing plant and move production to Poland.
From 2011, the constituency boundaries changed in accordance with the proposals of the Constituency Commission and the subsequent Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009.
In 2009, the announcement that Dell was to move its manufacturing facility from Limerick to Poland devastated the local economy, resulting in job losses.
In June 2010, the redeveloped Milk Market in Limerick officially re-opened as an all-weather, all-year-round facility.
In December 2010, the M7 motorway was completed, improving connections to other cities.
In 2010, Ardscoil Rís won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 2010, Limerick hosted the Irish Special Olympics.
In 2010, Munster defeated an Australian touring side at Thomond Park.
In 2010, the lowest temperature recorded in Limerick was −11.4 °C (11.5 °F).
From 2011, the constituency boundaries changed in accordance with the proposals of the Constituency Commission.
In 2011, Ardscoil Rís won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 2011, Baker Place nightclub, known for local underground nights, closed.
In 2011, Limerick was designated as a European City of Sport by the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES).
In 2011, Tipperary Institute merged with Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).
In 2011, a rugby league academy was briefly established in Limerick to identify Irish players for Super League clubs.
In 2011, the Frank McCourt Museum opened in McCourt's former school, containing artefacts from 'Angela's Ashes'.
In 2011, the Milk Market Project won the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) 'Peoples Choice Award'.
In 2011, the University of Limerick (UL) won the Fitzgibbon Cup against Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) with an injury-time goal.
The 2011 census reported a large population decline in central city areas due in part to the Limerick regeneration process.
In October 2012, the Government of Ireland published Putting People First- Action Programme for Effective Local Government which set out government policy for reforms across all the main areas of local government in Ireland.
In October 2012, the Lime Tree Theatre officially opened at the Mary Immaculate College campus.
As of 2012 unemployment had become a major problem across the city with the unemployment rate in the city at 28.6% which was almost twice the national average.
In 2013, Ardscoil Rís won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 2013, Thomond Park hosted rugby league matches as part of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2013, a renewable energy strategy was launched for the region, proposing a 20% reduction in CO2-emissions.
In June 2014, the merger of Limerick City and County Councils occurred, impacting local government administration.
On June 1, 2014, Limerick City Council merged with Limerick County Council following the implementation of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.
On June 2014, the separate local government areas of the county and city of Limerick were amalgamated to form Limerick City and County, creating a new Metropolitan District of Limerick.
In 2014, Andy Lee trained at St. Francis Boxing Club on Mungret Street in Limerick and later became World Boxing Champion.
In 2014, Limerick became Ireland's inaugural National City of Culture, hosting various artistic and cultural events.
In 2014, following the merger of the two authorities, a new Metropolitan District of Limerick City was set up.
In June 2015, Limerick FC returned to Markets Field after its purchase by the Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP).
Former World Boxing Champion, Andy Lee, who held the WBO middleweight title from 2014 to 2015, trained at St. Francis Boxing Club on Mungret Street in Limerick.
In 2015, Ardscoil Rís won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 2015, the Limerick Chamber of Commerce celebrated its bicentennial.
In 2015, the Treaty City Titans, representing Limerick, won one of their eight All-Ireland Rugby League Championship titles.
In December 2016, an updated city bus network was introduced in Limerick City, including new routes.
According to the 2016 CSO census, Limerick is the third-largest city in the Republic of Ireland with a population of 102,287 in the urban area and 104,952 in the metropolitan district.
In 2016, Munster defeated the Maori All Blacks 27-14 at Thomond Park.
In September 2017, the final section opened to the N/M18 to Shannon, Ennis, Galway, and Tuam.
As of 2017, unfinished retail centres included the Coonagh Cross retail development and the Parkway Valley Shopping Centre on the Dublin Road.
In June 2018, the highest temperature recorded in Limerick was 32.0 °C (89.6 °F).
In May 2019, Bus Éireann further changed and improved the Limerick City timetable, including increased frequency and later operating times.
In 2019, Limerick FC suffered a financial collapse and lost its licence.
In 2020, Treaty United W.F.C., the women's team, began playing in the Women's National League.
In 2020, the Shiloh Trust sought planning permission to convert the former Baker Place premises into a bible school.
In October 2021, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) merged with Athlone IT to become the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.
As of mid-2021, Councillor Daniel Butler was the mayor of Limerick.
In 2021, Ardscoil Rís won the Dr. Harty Cup, the Munster Colleges Hurling Championship.
In 2021, Treaty United F.C., the men's team, joined the League of Ireland First Division.
As of the 2022 census, Limerick's ethnic makeup was 76.53% white, 5.48% Asian, 2.31% other, and 2.14% black, with a religious makeup of 61.31% Catholic, 14.11% no religion, and 10.66% other religions.
In 2022, Iarnród Éireann commenced works to reopen the former Limerick–Foynes line for freight traffic.
In 2022, Limerick had a population of 102,287, making it the third-most populous urban area in Ireland.
In October 2021, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) merged with Athlone IT to become the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, in 2021/2022.
As of 2023, the Treaty City Titans rugby team is defunct.
As of 2024, works to reopen the former Limerick-Foynes line was projected to be completed by 2025.
Following the 2024 local elections, Fine Gael is the largest party on the authority with 13 seats.
As of 2024, works to reopen the former Limerick-Foynes line was projected to be completed by 2025.
As of 2024, freight operations for the former Limerick-Foynes line were due to commence from early 2026.
The plans for the Opera Centre make up part of the "Limerick 2030" scheme.