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King John's Castle (Limerick), County Limerick
Photograph: Eric The Fish · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Province of Munster

County Limerick

Luimneach

Known as The Treaty County. For the Treaty of Limerick, signed in 1691 to end the Williamite war, and broken so quickly that Limerick has been called the city of the violated treaty ever since. The stone it was supposedly signed on still stands by the river.

Did you know? The Treaty of Limerick (1691) was reputedly signed on a stone still displayed in the city — and its promises to Catholics were broken, it was said, 'before the ink was dry'.
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Clans & surnames of Limerick
Casey Ó Cathasaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Cathasach, 'vigilant in war'” Collins Ó Coileáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Coileán, 'young hound / whelp'” Creagh Craobhach Gaelic sept (Dalcassian) · “'of the branch' — from craobh, a branch” Donovan Ó Donnabháin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Donndubhán, 'dark brown-haired chief'” Fitzgerald Mac Gearailt Norman dynasty · “fitz Gerald — son of Gerald (of Windsor)” Fitzgibbon Mac Giobúin Norman dynasty · “son of Gibbon — Norman French fitz, 'son of', and a pet form of Gilbert” Griffin Ó Gríobhtha Gaelic sept · “descendant of Gríobhtha, 'griffin-like'” Halpin Ó hAilpín Gaelic sept · “descendant of Ailpín” Hayes Ó hAodha Gaelic sept · “descendant of Aodh, 'fire'” Hickey Ó hÍcidhe Gaelic learned family · “descendant of the healer (íce, 'healing')” Hurley Ó hUrthuile / Ó Muirthile Gaelic sept · “descendant of Urthuile — 'sea-tide'” Jenkins — (Welsh / Cornish name) Welsh & Cornish settlers · “'little John' — Jenkin, a pet-form of John with the '-kin' ending” Kiely Ó Cadhla Gaelic sept · “descendant of Cadhla, 'graceful'” Kirby Ó Ciarmhaic Gaelic sept · “descendant of Ciarmhac, 'dark son'” McInerney Mac an Airchinnigh Gaelic learned family · “son of the erenagh — the hereditary steward of church lands” Mulcahy Ó Maolchathaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of the devotee of St Cathach ('battle')” Noonan Ó Nuanáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Ionmhaineán, 'the beloved'” O'Brien Ó Briain Gaelic dynasty · “descendant of Brian (Boru)” Roche de Róiste Norman · “de la roche — 'of the rock'” Ryan Ó Maoilriain Gaelic sept · “descendant of Maoilriaghain” Sheehan Ó Síodhacháin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Síodhach, 'the peaceful'” Sheehy Mac Síthigh Scots-gallowglass · “son of Sítheach, 'the peaceful' — or 'the otherworldly'” Wall de Bhál Norman · “du val — 'of the valley'” Wallace de Bhailís Norman-Welsh · “le waleis — 'the Welshman, the foreigner'” Woulfe de Bhulbh Norman · “le woulf — 'the wolf'”

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On the ground in Limerick

Every pin is placed by its documented coordinates. All the monuments of Ireland →

Quick answers
What is the Irish name for County Limerick?

Luimneach. Limerick is one of the 6 counties of Munster (Cúige Mumhan).

Who ruled County Limerick in the Middle Ages?

Around 1014 it was held by Thomond (O'Brien); by 1450, Earldom of Desmond (FitzGerald). The full era-by-era chronology is on this page.

What surnames come from County Limerick?

Names historically associated with Limerick include Casey, Collins, Creagh, Donovan, Fitzgerald, Fitzgibbon, Griffin, Halpin, among others.

Trace your ancestors in Limerick

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