The Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum is situated in Castle Lane, Nicholas Street, next to the main entrance of King John’s Castle in the heart of the City’s Medieval Quarter.

It is about a 10 minutes walk from the Tourist Office and 20 minutes from the rail and bus station. It is not readily accessible by public transport.

History

The museum was founded in 1906 and was opened to the public in 1916. Its original location was in the City Library, which was then in the Carnegie Building in Pery Square and the librarian of the day was its curator.

The museum was closed to the public between  1974 and 1979, when it reopened in new premises in St. John’s Square, where it remained for 20 years.

The buildings in Castle Lane, where the museum now is, were built in 1998 and are meant to represent the styles of building found in Limerick in the past.

The Museum is in the warehouse-style building at the front of the lane. Further down are representations of brick-fronted Georgian houses with so-called “Dutch Billy” roofs, a low cagework (timber-framed) house and a medieval tavern.

The Museum's collection illustrates the history of Limerick and its people. Its displays include archaeological artefacts, Limerick silver, Limerick lace, examples of local printing, cases on the struggle for independence and much more. The Museum's catalogue is available online here.

The Museum is owned and run by Limerick City Council and in 2000 it was renamed The Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum in honour of the local politician, former mayor and T.D. Larry Walsh, curator since 1977, has recently retired.