Study Abroad | Limerick

Housing

Student Apartments

You will live in a co-ed apartment-style residence, a 10-minute walk from the classrooms and library with a view of the River Shannon and surrounding area.

• Single en-suite bedrooms
• Fully-equipped kitchens and living rooms
• Laundromat
• Manager with regular security patrols at night

Internet access is included in all AIFS housing in Limerick

Meals

• Continental breakfast
• Two daily meal vouchers Monday through Friday to purchase lunch and dinner on campus
• Three dinner receptions during the program including a welcome meal and a farewell barbecue
• Farmers market on campus every Tuesday afternoon where you can purchase local produce

City Facts

Geography

Limerick is the third largest city in Ireland with a population of 100,000 people.  

History

Founded by the Vikings in 812, Limerick is one of the oldest cities in Ireland. 

Architecture

Limerick is home to both the longest footbridge in Ireland and the westernmost castle in Europe.

Site Staff

AIFS in Limerick Director, Summer Program

Elaine Keane

Dia Dhuit! – that’s how we say hello in Irish (I also speak English and a little bit of German). I have been the AIFS Program Director since 2004. I can’t wait to show you the beautiful city of Limerick, I’m sure you’ll feel at home right away.

I know Limerick very well after growing up here and obtaining a BA and graduate diploma in Adult Education from Mary Immaculate College, the sister college of the University of Limerick. You will find that the culture is different but there isn’t a significant language barrier making your integration into local cultural life easier. You can think of me as a support for you both personally and academically for any issues that may arise. It’s my goal to make your transition into Irish culture as seamless as possible.

During your time abroad I will coordinate all aspects of the program including academic planning, housing and social and cultural activities. See you in Limerick!

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of Irish culture, a wide range of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee. Past activities have included:

• Walking tours and museum visits such as The Hunt Museum and the Limerick Art Gallery
• Traditional Irish music concerts
• Sports events such as hurling, visiting the Munster rugby museum
• Visits to ancient historical sites such as Lough Gur, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Askeaton Abbey and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Please note that students may need to pay a small additional fee for some of the activities above.

Transportation

You can easily walk from your housing to all campus facilities. A public bus from the university takes 10 minutes to Limerick. Public transportation is inexpensive as are taxis from the center of town to the university. 

University Sports Arena

The university has one of the largest indoor sports complexes in Ireland. It is the home base to Coaching Ireland and is used by Ireland’s national soccer and rugby teams as well as athletes training for the Olympics and the local Munster rugby team. The university Sports Arena includes a 50-meter swimming pool, an indoor jogging track, a 60-meter sprint track, four full-size courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton and indoor soccer, 45 cardiovascular machines including treadmills, cycles and cross-trainers and 35 resistance training machines and free weight stations. The arena is right on campus, a few minutes’ walk from the main academic building.