Cheap Places to Eat in Bunratty

"Whatever you think of the exterior of this slightly clunky-looking hotel overlooking the River Shannon, it’s beautiful inside, and you won’t be looking at its stark outline while you’re chowing down. In a scene that’s oddly competitive (the Irish do love a good hotel breakfast), the Absolute has a spectacular array of breakfast options, taking in the Full Irish, fruit, cereal, porridge, pastries and (pride of place) a clever pancake machine. There’s a nice atmosphere, and no chance you’ll leave the buffet hungry."

"In a small city with a big heart, you will find the 4-star Absolute Hotel. Rated as the number 1 hotel on TripAdvisor in Limerick and voted as one of the top 15 hotels in Ireland by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2019. Stylish, comfortable and modern, this city centre hotel is nestled in the Medieval quarter of Limerick, only minutes' walk away from classic landmarks such as King John's Castle, the Hunt Museum, Thomond Park and many other Limerick attractions."

"The top-rated hotel in Limerick in terms of user-reviews, according to Booking.com, is The Absolute Limerick. With bird’s eye views over the Abbey River, this four-star hotel offers a stunning waterside setting and elegant rooms in equal measure. It is in walking distance to major Limerick sights, and has been ranked time and again as a top stay in the city."

"Another student favourite, Pizza Galaxy is great because it doesn’t close until one o’clock in the morning, helping to feed the huge student population of Limerick. Pizza Galaxy is especially good for its sixteen-inch pizzas and students to have reported that you usually don’t have to wait too long for the pizza to arrive. Their ‘Student Party’ deal for twenty-two euro entails four nine-inch pizzas, four bags of chips, four dips and four soft drinks of your choice."

"A stall in the Milk Market, Limerick|© William Murphy/ Flickr. Where better to bed down for a cup of the bitter stuff than at Limerick’s shopping heartland?. The Milk Market is an iconic city location (arguably one of only a handful of absolute ‘must sees’ in the city), and Harper’s is a worthy, relaxed stop off."

"A new addition to Limerick’s Italian food scene, Gusto offers gelato, cakes and waffles in their contemporary premises at the top of William Street. It works well as a birthday treat destination with customised cakes, or to satisfy a spoonful of sweet cravings. The breakfast waffles are attracting a growing clientele, too..."

"Abbey River Coffee is located just over the Shannon, on Bridge Street on the perimeter of the historical Potato Market. This small shop specializes in coffee and is a favourite for locals in Limerick. The shop location offers a stunning view of the Shannon River as well as a great place to meet people with its cosy, sheltered seating area, perfect for the rainy months ahead."

"Just 20 kilometres south of Limerick you’ll find Lough Gur, doused in 6,000 years of history. It’s the only area in the entire country that you can see evidence of every era since Neolithic times, so history buffs won’t want to miss this. Address: Lough Gur, Bruff, County Limerick"

"A glance at the Ireland of old is on offer at this riverside, long-ruined castle. Adare Desmond is essentially a shell of the old structure, but there’s enough left to justify tours, and the buildings and their surrounds make for a fantastic slightly off-the-beaten-track exploration. There’s a sacred fairy ring just around the corner, and very little development visible from the sight, giving this a real sense of the Ireland of its 13th century construction."

"Just outside the town of Adare (which we recommend in its own right, see below) Adare Desmond Castle is a 13th-century riverside fortress, now in ruins, sat right next to an ancient ring fort. Regular tours during the summer give an insight into the spot’s revolutionary history while an exhibition gives a sense of life at the castle through the Middle Ages."

"Wildlife parks are a great day out for families and luckily we have one right here in Limerick!. Allow your kids to learn about colourful parrots and fall in love with cheeky alpacas. As well as these the park hosts both wild and domestic animals, including Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Wallaby’s, Meerkats, Birds of Prey and tortoises."