Ireland
Limerick and the Shannon Region: where business meets natural beauty and innovation
S tretching across Limerick
and Clare, the Shannon Region is home to iconic attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and the Wild Atlantic Way. Limerick, sitting on the River Shannon, is the Republic’ s third-largest city and one of Europe’ s most dynamic small cities. In 2025 fDi Intelligence ranked it first in Europe’ s micro city category for FDI Strategy, Human Capital and Lifestyle.
Once reliant on agriculture and fishing, Limerick is now a hub of high-tech manufacturing and services. The wider Shannon Region is a centre of industry and education, with strengths in aviation, engineering, life sciences and technology. It is home to global companies such as Johnson & Johnson Vision Care – whose Limerick plant is the world’ s largest contact lens manufacturing facility – Jaguar Land Rover, Zimmer Biomet and Analog Devices. That gives organisers plenty of opportunities for collaboration, technical visits and expert engagement.
Access is easy, too. Shannon Airport, less than 30 minutes from the city centre, offers direct flights to major European and US cities, with US pre-clearance for smooth onward travel. The region is also within easy reach of Dublin and Cork airports, with excellent road and rail connections.
Organisers are spoilt for choice. The University of Limerick offers a variety of meeting solutions and is also home to the 1,000-seat University Concert Hall, which hosts national and international acts. The Limerick Strand Hotel, on the banks of the Shannon, can accommodate up to 600 delegates. Its Shannon Suite seats 500 for gala
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Left: University of Limerick, Campus, Countryside, Co Limerick dinners and divides into three salons, supported by dedicated breakout rooms. In the heart of the city, the Savoy Hotel offers seven rooms suitable for meetings and social gatherings.
For something different, Limerick Greyhound Stadium offers restaurants, bars and a range of hospitality suites. Stick with sport and head to Limerick Racecourse, just 10 minutes from the city. Its four-floor Hugh McMahon Stand can host up to 6,000 people for exhibitions and events, and 13 indoor spaces – from private suites to corporate boxes – suit more intimate gatherings.
Outside the meeting room, there is a wealth of options for for individual event planners. Limerick City Gallery of Art is renowned for its contemporary exhibitions, and the city has a rich theatre tradition. Every May, tens of thousands of visitors flock to Limerick for Riverfest, with days of celebration, community spirit, world-class entertainment and interactive experiences on, in and around the River Shannon.
Launched in 2021, the 40km Limerick Greenway runs through captivating countryside and lets visitors explore rural Limerick by bike, on foot or at a run. The € 10 million project included the restoration of two 19th-century station houses at Ardagh and Barnagh, the renovation of the Barnagh railway tunnel and the complete resurfacing of the route. The Greenway follows the old Limerick to Kerry railway line, linking the West Limerick landscape with towns and villages steeped in history. It offers a range of activities and gives delegates even more reason to stay longer.
For organisers, Limerick and the Shannon Region offer a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and modern infrastructure, making it an ideal destination for conferences, meetings and sporting events. With world-class venues, warm hospitality and a strong track record in hosting international events, it is a place where attendees will leave with plenty to talk about. n
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