Information Castletroy Ireland
Castletroy is now a suburb of Limerick town, the district has a distinct history of its own. Meanwhile, Limerick City Council has been attempting to incorporate Castletroy into the city; the area of Castletroy currently falls instead under the jurisdiction of the County Council. Annacotty is what was once a quaint village that has been swallowed by Castletroy. It originally developed to harness the river energy from the Mulkear that powered the grain mills. Monaleen has also been swallowed by Castletroy. It boasts a beautiful church. In keeping with the growth of Limerick, even the Catholic Church has made diocesan changes. The parish of Monaleen was only established in June 1971, breaking away from St Patrick’s parish. It services an ever growing community. Out of a population of 32,000, half of the residents in Castletroy are students due to the location of the University of Limerick nearby. The town has a little known Jewish graveyard. Dating from the nineteenth century, it pre-dates the “pogrom” of the early twentieth century in Limerick, when a boycott of Jewish goods and services instigated by an intolerant Catholic priest led many Jewish people to flee the area. Some were received elsewhere in Ireland – particularly Cork, from where they intended to leave the country altogether – or they emigrated to more tolerant countries with substantial Jewish communities abroad. Castletroy’s development is in keeping with Ireland’s economic progress in recent decades. It boasts a National Technology Park – home to a number of international companies and multinationals. It also has a number of hotels such as the Castletroy Park and the Kilmurry Lodge and a large shopping mall.
Attractions Castletroy Ireland
Banqueting Hall (Desmond Hall) - Newcastlewest
West Limerick preserves many of Ireland's surviving spacious medieval halls. The desmond banqueting hall is an imposing two-storey structure and was used by the Earls of Desmond for banqueting and entertainment. The Hall, vaulted lower chamber and adjoining tower were all constructed during the 15th century (the hall and chamber were built on the remains of a 13th century structure of similar size).
Croom Mills and Heritage Centre - Limerick
This uniquely restored nineteenth century granary shows working conditions for millers and blacksmiths in dramatic settings. It is complimented by an audio-visual film on the history of grain milling locally. The mill race flows gently beneath the superb restaurant and craft shop
Curraghmore Forest Park - Kilcornan
Located at Kilcornan, Curraghchase Forest Park is a six hundred acre plantation of exceptional beauty. It features walkways, a lake and garden, a nature trail and the ruins of the eighteenth century home of the poet Aubrey de Vere.
Foynes Museum - Limerick
The Foynes museum recalls the era with a comprehensive range of exhibits and graphic illustrations. It also includes a 1940s style cinema, the original terminal building through which many VIPs passed, war years' radio and the weather room. Irish coffee was "invented" here in 1943. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the port of Foynes was the fulcrum point for air traffic between the United States and Europe. The famous flying boats were frequent visitors, carrying passengers who ranged from celebrities to refugees.
Lough Gur Stone Age Centre - Ballyneety
Located at Ballyneety, the Lough Gur Centre is the most important Stone Age site in Ireland. The visitor centre, on its lakeside site, contains a display and audio-visual show presenting the site's history. The archaeology of the area provides evidence of the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwellings, ritual and burial sites, as well as their tools and implements. The story stretches over 5,000 years and continues to the present day.
