(LIMERICK, IRELAND) — When visiting a new city, it can be hard to map out where you want to stay, shop, eat and explore.
In Ireland – the Limerick City & County Council has unveiled the Limerick Gift Card system, helping inspire both visitors and locals. As of this article (May 2026), nearly 200 local businesses accept the Limerick Gift Card. These establishments include hotels, restaurants, retail stores, coffee shops and more.
This is a great option not only to support local businesses, but also to help you budget, while providing ideas of where to visit.
Say you have a week-long stay in Ireland, and you’re planning to spend multiple days in Limerick. You choose to purchase a Limerick Gift Card for 500 euros. If you’re a planner like me, you can now begin to strategize and choose specific things you want to do each day.
For me, I need coffee, so I’ll be looking in the food/drink section of the Limerick Gift Card website to see which coffee shops accept the card. There are multiple options. Also, everyone needs to eat! There are plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants on the list.
Limerick City is a very walkable city. It also offers plenty of shopping options, restaurants and cafes to stroll through. You can easily put together an easy, coherent schedule connecting the dots between your different spots. There’s also a level of spontaneity the Limerick Gift Card provides. Say you’re strolling through Arthur’s Quay downtown to grab groceries at Tesco (which accepts the gift card). You’ll notice multiple of the shops there (including food & coffee), accept the gift card! You may even see the “Limerick Gift Card accepted here” sign on the window.
There are also multiple hotels that accept the Limerick Gift Card, including three out of the four Limerick-area lodging establishments we stayed at! The Limerick Strand Hotel and the Savoy Limerick are both in Limerick City, while Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel is in Adare, County Limerick. Not only can you pay for your reservation with the gift card, you can also use it on special amenities on-site like the spa.
It is a great thing that both businesses in Limerick City and the County have started accepting it. And while it’s currently at roughly 200 businesses where you can use it, I expect that number to grow as time goes on! We were able to use the card in Limerick City, Adare and Newcastle West. But more local cities and towns are on the list as well!
Another great way the Limerick Gift Card has been used so far, is by being a gift to employees. The local workforce leaders will purchase a bulk amount of cards, and give them to workers for holidays, celebrations, etc. I love this idea of keeping local money local!
If you want an idea of how to use your Limerick Gift Card and plan out a day in Limerick City, here’s an idea for you!
1: Stay at Limerick Strand Hotel or Savoy Limerick
2: Get the bed & breakfast package and eat at the hotel
3: Walk through downtown Limerick and stop by Penney’s to shop for clothes
4: Head to Arthur’s Quay and get a coffee at Gloria Jean’s, shop at Irish Handcrafts, and then get any groceries you need at the Tesco there
5: Stop for lunch nearby at The Bedford Restaurant or The Locke Bar
6: Head to The Hunt Museum to see local art & history (not on the gift card, but IS on the Discover Limerick Pass). Stop by the Hunt Cafe and get an afternoon coffee. The cafe is on the gift card.
7: Explore Saint Mary’s Cathedral, available with the Discover Limerick Pass. Walk to Treaty City Brewery and use your Limerick Gift Card there.
8: Walk down the street and use the Discover Limerick Pass to visit King John’s Castle. Afterwards, walk across the street for dinner at Katie Daly’s, using your Limerick Gift Card.
9: Stop by for a pint of Guinness at Coqbull, The White House or Tom Collins.
That sounds like a pretty awesome day right there! Here’s another example, except in Newcastle West (the home of my Sheehan roots!).
1: Stay at Longcourt House Hotel
2: Shop at Adrenaline Sports and O’Connors Toys
3: Shop at Lidl on Sheehan’s Rd. or SuperValu up the hill downtown
4: Get a pint at Whelan’s Bar
5: Enjoy a meal at Chasers Bistro, located in Longcourt House Hotel
I hope my ideas can spur on some travel plans for you the next time you’re in Ireland. Let me know what else you love to do in Limerick!
Matt Sheehan Official 