Why Limerick?
- Limerick’s population in 2022: 205,444
- Urban population: 100,000
- 25 minutes from Shannon International Airport with direct services to the UK, Europe and the US
- Foynes: Ireland's Largest bulk port. Designated European Ten-T core port. Can cater for vessels up to 200,000dwt
- 2 hours motorway drive to Dublin
- Student population more than 34,000 (Source: hea.ie)
- 50% of Limerick's population is under 35 years (Source: Census 2016/2022)
- Limerick is a highly connected destination in Europe that, uniquely, is as close to the Americas as it is to 26 EU nations.
Growing Limerick
- Europe’s most youthful, educated and English-speaking local population, nearly 50% under 35, with tens of thousands of university or college students within its catchment area.
- Limerick is aiming to become a green city region on the Shannon Estuary through engagement, innovation, resilient urban development and self-sustaining communities.
- Limerick is developing as an environmentally sustainable and carbon neutral economy, a pioneer in sustainable growth.
- New Limerick Development Plan 2022-2028
- Fastest growing region from FDI outside the capital
- Limerick awarded European City of the Future (2018)
- Significant jobs growth since 2013 with more than 24,500 jobs announced
- The home of some of the world’s most pioneering and/or established international businesses, including Uber, Dell, Northern Trust, Johnson & Johnson, Analog, General Motors, Regeneron and Viagogo.
- Top 10 city to invest in Europe
- Major Limerick Twenty Thirty projects transforming Limerick including Gardens International, Opera Site, Cleeves Riverside Quarter, Mungret, and Troy Studios Film Hub
Education & Talent
- Home to 3 major Higher Education Institutes - University of Limerick, Technological University of the Shannon, Mary Immaculate College
- Student population more than 34,000
- 50% of Limerick's population is under 35 years
- 6000 graduates annually
- UL graduate employment rate is 15% higher than the national average
- MIC’s retention rate of 95% is one of the highest in the country (Source: HEA Report 2019)
- MIC has experienced unprecedented growth in the last decade with a doubling of undergraduate programmes and student numbers
- MIC is the alma mater of over 40% of professional teachers working in a wide range of schools across Ireland
- Limerick School of Art and Design listed among the top 50 fashion schools in the world
- A survey of Irish students recently voted UL Ireland’s most popular university with a satisfaction rating of 85% (Source: Top 10 reasons to choose UL | University of Limerick)
Enterprise Eco System
- Innovative co-working spaces including Bank of Ireland Workbench and Innovate Limerick’s ENGINE
- 8 Community Enterprise Centres
- 4 Incubators
- 1 Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway
- 3 Enterprise Ireland/IDA Technology Centres
- 3 SFI Research Centres
- Multiple dedicated R&D Units, Groups and Centres
- Dedicated innovation company – Innovate Limerick
- Dedicated Start-up Fund
- New broadband connection points and WIFI initiatives throughout the County
Living in Limerick
- Low congestion levels
- Short commute times
- Average commute time 24 minutes (Source: CSO Census 2016 for the current figure and Census 2022 when published for updates)
- Living city initiative tax incentive scheme
- Walkable compact city
- Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way
- 4th most affordable place to buy a home out of 297 cities*
- €250,421 average house price in Limerick City and €235,991 in Limerick County (Q2 2022) (Source: Daft.ie Quarterly Residential Reports)
- €1,559 average rent in Limerick City and €1,169 in Limerick County (Q2 2022) (Source Daft.ie Quarterly Rental Reports)
Limerick for Play
- First National City of Culture
- Up to 100 festivals a year
- Former European City of Sport
- Ireland’s only biennial of contemporary art - EVA International
- Home of Munster Rugby - Thomond Park - 25,600 capactiy
- Gaelic Grounds - 50,000 capacity
- Ireland’s sporting campus - UL Sport
- Home to venues including University Concert Hall, Lime Tree Theatre, Belltable Theatre, Big Top and Dolan’s Warehouse
- Cultural institutes include Limerick City Gallery of Art, RTE Lyric FM, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the World Academy of Music and Dance
- Home to significant historical sites including King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral
- Media hub for Film and TV - Troy Studios, Ireland’s largest international standard film and TV studio
- Over 1,000 sports clubs
- Home to the Limerick Greenway and the Ballyhoura Mountain Biking Trails