Irishtown, Limerick facts for kids
Irishtown (which means An Baile Gaelach in Irish) is a historic part of central Limerick, Ireland. It's one of the main areas that make up Limerick city centre, along with Englishtown and Newtown Pery. You'll find important streets here like Broad Street, John Street, and Mungret Street. Key landmarks include St. John's Square, a beautiful old area from the Georgian period, St. John's Cathedral, and the lively Milk Market.
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A Glimpse into Irishtown's Past
Irishtown is one of the oldest parts of Limerick, with its history going all the way back to the Middle Ages. As the city of Limerick grew on King's Island, it eventually expanded beyond its original walls. This new area, Irishtown, developed on the southern banks of the Abbey River.
Who Lived Here?
In the past, Irishtown was mainly home to native Irish families. This was different from King's Island, where many Norman or Old English settlers lived. These two parts of Limerick had their own unique ways of life and traditions. They were connected by just one bridge, called Baal's Bridge, which crossed the Abbey River.
The Citadel and the Siege
Irishtown was also home to a strong fortress known as the citadel. Today, you can find its remains within the grounds of St. John's Hospital. This area played a big role during the Siege of Limerick (1690). During a major attack, many of William of Orange's soldiers faced heavy resistance near the Black Battery on the Walls of Limerick in Irishtown.
Irishtown Today: A Transformed Area
Even though Irishtown is one of Limerick's oldest areas, very little of its original old buildings remain today. For a long time, after the newer Newtown Pery was built, many houses in Irishtown became crowded apartments. These homes were not well cared for, and many people lived in very difficult conditions, especially in the small lanes off the main streets.
Rebuilding and Renewal
In the mid-20th century, efforts were made to improve these living conditions. Unfortunately, many old buildings were so badly damaged that they simply crumbled away, leaving almost nothing but the outlines of the streets.
However, Irishtown has seen a great transformation since the early 1990s and 2000s. The heart of the area, St. John's Square, was beautifully restored in the late 2000s. Other parts, like Broad Street, Mungret Street, and the areas around the Milk Market, have also been significantly redeveloped and cleaned up. Today, Irishtown is home to St John's Hospital, an important hospital for the city.
