Study Abroad | Limerick

Housing

Shared Townhouses

Students are housed in Plassey Village, the number one choice with students. One or two AIFS Abroad students live with 6 or 7 Irish students or other international students in a townhouse to foster integration into the social life of the full-time student body.

• Single rooms
• Shared kitchen, living room and bathroom
• 10- to 15-minute walk from the main classroom buildings
• Cable TV
• Broadband connection available for no extra fee
• Local supermarket offers a weekly shuttle service to and from the houses
• The community village hall located at the heart of the village is also available for events, dinners and get togethers with your neighbors.
• Laundry facilities

Internet access is included in all AIFS Abroad housing in Limerick.

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. King John’s Castle in the city center has been perched on the edge of the River Shannon for the past 800 years!

Architecture

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

LIMERICK STREET ART

Limerick is world famous for its street art, attracting artists from around the world to visit the city and leave their mark. The Limerick Street Art trail showcases 17 amazing murals located around the city.  

CALLING ALL GOLFERS

The 100^th Ryder Cup will be hosted at Adare Manor, near Limerick, in September 2027!

Site Staff

AIFS Abroad in Limerick Director, Academic Year and Semester Programs

Elaine Keane

Dia Dhuit!—that’s how we say hello in Irish. I have been the AIFS Abroad 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. I also studied at the University of Limerick obtaining a Master’s in Technical Communication and E-Learning.

You will find that while the culture is different, there isn’t a significant language barrier so your integration into local cultural life will be much 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. In my free time you can find me enjoying a good book or spending time with my family. 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

In addition to day trips and excursions, a cultural calendar of activities and social events is included in your program fee. These activities will include both typical tourist sites and attractions and lesser known visits which take advantage of the expert knowledge of our local AIFS Abroad staff and give you a more authentic and insightful view of Irish life. Typical activities, tours and visits may include:

• Traditional Irish music night
• Literary walking tours and local festivals
• Welcome dinner
• Bunratty Castle, folk park and medieval banquet
• Ticket to a concert at the university Concert Hall
• Fishing with local fishermen off Loop Head
• Trip to Limerick’s Milk Market
• Irish farm experience
• Tickets to a sporting event such as a Munster rugby game and native sports such as hurling and Gaelic football
• Irish theater play or concert
• Trip to the greyhound racing
• Half-day trip to King John’s Castle and Askeaton Abbey

You may be asked to pay a small additional fee for some of the activities above.

Student Life

SPORTS FACILITIES at UL

AIFS Abroad students will have access to a range of state-of-the-art sports facilities at the university Arena, the Outdoor Activity Center and the university Boat House. Facilities include a 50-meter swimming pool, sprint track, indoor courts, cardio-fitness center, bouldering and speed climbing walls, powered rowing track and a 400-meter track. There are over 36 sports clubs on campus and a packed schedule of fitness classes. For more information visit www.ulsport.ie/. 

UL BUDDY PROGRAM

Each semester, visiting students are invited to join the UL buddy program in which they are assigned to a local student who can help them settle in and make the most of their time on campus.

STUDENTS UNION CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

UL has over 80 dedicated clubs and societies managed by students for their fellow students, and they always want new members! Joining one is a great way to meet people and make friends.

UL STUDENT CENTER

The UL Student Center opened in Fall 2025 and is considered the heart of campus and the hub for clubs and societies. It features a games room with gaming consoles and pool tables, meeting and event spaces, a coffee shop, an outdoor terrace, radio and podcast rooms that can be reserved, and a campus store that sells UL Wolves mascot gear!

THE GLOBE

The Globe is a dedicated office for international student support and global learning! Each week they offer free activities and events to support all students and to celebrate cultures from around the world.

CONTEMPLATIVE CENTER

The peaceful campus contemplative center is used for spiritual engagement and personal reflection, with a welcoming quiet space available for deep thought, meditation, or prayer. The campus chaplains provide support and pastoral care to students of all faiths and backgrounds, and religious services are held several times per week during the semester.

Volunteering

At the beginning of the semester, visiting students are invited to sign up for a non-credit bearing volunteering opportunity through the University of Limerick AccessCampus program. AccessCampus works to expand opportunities throughout Limerick’s lower income neighborhoods. Volunteers are out in the city each week and their work supports local skills programs, educational initiatives or community partnerships. Recent volunteer roles include working with Ukrainian refugees; supporting a drama club of elderly individuals as they wrote plays about their life experiences; and tutoring local students. Volunteers who complete at least 12 hours of service over the semester are eligible to receive a Plessy Award at the end of the semester.