Why Limerick?
- Limerick’s population in 2022: 209,536
- Urban population: 102,287
- 25km km from Shannon International Airport, offering daily flights to the US, UK, and EU
- Shannon Foynes Port: a designated European Ten-T deepwater port capable of accommodating vessels up to 200,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) – direct access to Atlantic Trade routes.
- 1m people within a one hour commute. 2 hours from Dublin by road or rail. Excellent physical and digital infrastructure.
- Student population more than 34,000 (Source: hea.ie)
- 50% of Limerick's population is under 35 years (Source: Census 2022)
- Perfect transatlantic bridge to Europe - Located strategically between the USA and Europe.
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
Education & Talent
- Home to 3 major Higher Education Institutes - University of Limerick (UL), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Mary Immaculate College (MIC)
- Student population more than 34,000
- 50% of Limerick's population is under 35 years
- 6,000 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
- The internationally renowned Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD) is one of the longest-established centres of art and design education in Ireland
- 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)
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
- Ranked 1st for FDI Strategy and 2nd for Micro European Cities of the Future 2024.
- 27,257 employed in 159 IDA client companies in the region; 72 of those in Limerick employing 16,000.
- Significant jobs growth since 2013 with more than 24,500 jobs announced
- Limerick and the Mid-West is the fastest growing region for FDI outside Dublin, and home to pioneering and/or established international businesses, including: Dell, WP Engine, Eli Lilly, Analog Devices, Regeneron, Northern Trust, Edward Lifesciences, Viagogo and Johnson & Johnson.
- Major Limerick Twenty Thirty projects transforming Limerick including Gardens International, Opera Site, Cleeves Riverside Quarter, Mungret, and Troy Studios Film Hub
Living in Limerick
- Low congestion levels
- Short commute times
- Average commute time 25 minutes (Source: CSO Census 2022)
- Living city initiative tax incentive scheme
- Walkable compact city
- Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way
Limerick for Play
- Adare Manor in County Limerick to host the Ryder Cup in 2027
- Limerick Night Time Economy – fostering a secure and inviting atmosphere that extends beyond traditional nightlife, making Limerick an attractive destination for all
- 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
