Limerick & Southern Co. Clare

For most people, the word "Limerick" brings to mind a funny poem. But it's also the name of the biggest city on Ireland's west coast, the base for a region where much early Irish history can be learned. The city of Limerick is at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, almost straddling the border between Co. Limerick (to the south) and Co. Clare (to the north). The landscape and communities are a bit more rich than up in northern Co. Clare, thanks in part to the fertile banks of the Shannon. There are many attractions within a few minutes drive of the nearby Shannon International Airport -- making it a comfortable region to visit on the first days of a trip to Ireland.