New name to market historic Limerick city area

THE AREA in which King John’s Castle, Nicholas Street and The Hunt Museum are located are to be marketed as King’s Island in the future, it has emerged.

Up to now, this part of the city has been known as the Medieval Quarter, in a nod to the heritage of the castle, which dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries.

At a behind-closed-doors meeting, metropolitan councillors were told of plans to move away from this designation in favour of King's Island.

District leader, Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, who chaired the meeting said: “Every city in Ireland probably has a Medieval Quarter.

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"There’s nothing unique about it, whereas King’s Island is unique to Limerick, authentic. Already the name is in the local community. So I’m very happy to support this going forward. It makes loads of sense. It’s been embraced.”

She feels it’s best when talking of Limerick to new visitors to the city, everyone should sing off the same sheet, “and it’s great if they no longer use the Medieval Quarter reference and instead use the name King’s Island.”

Cllr O’Sullivan added: “If you consider King’s Island has King John’s Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral, The Hunt Museum and obviously Nicholas Street, there’s such a big offering we have to work on as a product when you’re talking about tourism. You are obviously right in the middle of a very historic community in the heart of Limerick.”