For those with an inclination towards acquiring a city, particularly one steeped in history, an extraordinary opportunity presents itself: the city of Limerick is up for sale. The Earl of Limerick has announced the auction of the fee-simple ownership of a substantial portion of the land on which the city stands, scheduled to take place on June 3.
Limerick, situated on the banks of the river Shannon, is not merely a city but an ancient and historically significant one. Constituted by English Town, Irish Town, and Newtown Pery—named after the Earls of Limerick—this locale holds political weight, returning a member to Parliament.
The city’s historical prominence extends back to its days as a formidable fortress. Notably, during the Jacobite War in Ireland, the valiant defence of Limerick’s walls, involving the heroic contributions of its women, earned it a place in history comparable to that of Derry. French General Lauzun once remarked that Limerick could be taken with roasted apples, yet William III found the siege so challenging that he was compelled to lift it. Eventually, the Jacobites of Limerick surrendered under honourable terms, not only for themselves but for all of Ireland’s Jacobites. Regrettably, bitterness endured due to the Irish Parliament, and not William of Orange as some believe, violating the terms of the Treaty—an animosity that persists to the present day.
The fortress era of Limerick concluded in 1760 when Viscount Pery, the uncle of the first Earl of Limerick, dismantled the walls and ramparts. Viscount Pery, an influential figure who served as the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons for many years, also played a pivotal role in assisting Grattan in achieving the granting of the Parliament of 1782. His brother, the Bishop of Limerick, was subsequently elevated to the peerage as Baron Glentworth and the Bishop’s son became the inaugural Earl of Limerick.
Significantly, the Earl of Limerick and his uncle, Viscount Pery, found themselves on opposing sides in the Irish House of Lords regarding the contentious issue of the Union. The former Speaker, now Earl of Limerick, was among the initial twenty-eight Irish Representative Peers in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The line of successors to the title has since held representation for the Barony of Foxford in the U.K. Peerage.
As the forthcoming auction looms, the potential transfer of ownership of this historically rich city raises questions about its future trajectory. The sale encompasses not merely bricks and mortar but the very essence of a city intertwined with centuries of political, cultural, and social evolution. The outcome of the auction will undoubtedly shape the next chapter in Limerick’s storied history.
Pall Mall Gazette – Monday 06 May 1907
