Start Exploring Limerick Archives
Limerick Archives preserves and shares the history of Limerick city and county through photographs, historical articles, biographies, newspaper material, local memories, original research and published books.
The archive contains material relating to streets, neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools, businesses, sporting organisations, religious institutions, public events, families and everyday life throughout Limerick.
This page will help you find the material that interests you and explain how you can contribute to the continuing growth of the archive.
Discover the Latest Stories
Begin with the latest articles to explore newly researched stories from Limerick’s past.
These articles examine important events, forgotten personalities, historic buildings, local institutions and the changing lives of people throughout the city and county.
New material is added regularly as photographs are identified, documents are examined and further historical research is completed.
Explore by Subject
The archive is organised into categories that allow you to explore particular aspects of Limerick history.
You can discover stories connected with people and families, streets and places, business and industry, education, religion, sport, politics, crime, social life, entertainment, transport, migration, war and revolution.
Each category brings together related articles and images, making it easier to follow the subjects that interest you most.
Search the Archive
Use the website search facility when looking for a particular person, family, street, building, school, business, organisation or event.
Try searching with both full and shortened names. Street names, business names and local institutions may have changed over time, so alternative spellings or former names can also produce useful results.
The archive continues to develop, and material that is not currently available may be added later.
Explore Historic Photographs
Limerick Archives contains more than 20,000 photographs relating to twentieth-century Limerick, including many images that have never previously been published.
These photographs document streets, workplaces, schools, sporting teams, public ceremonies, religious occasions, family gatherings, local businesses and neighbourhood life.
A photograph may contain unidentified people, buildings or locations. Visitors who recognise something are encouraged to share their knowledge.
Read About Limerick People
The archive records the lives of people from every part of Limerick society.
Some were prominent politicians, writers, business owners, clergy, sportspeople or public figures. Others were workers, shopkeepers, teachers, farmers, soldiers, nurses, musicians, parents and children whose experiences form an equally important part of local history.
Together, these individual lives help create a fuller and more human account of Limerick’s past.
Visit Limerick Generations
Limerick Generations is a ten-volume history of Limerick city and county covering the years from 1900 to 1999.
Each book is devoted to one decade and combines historical research with an extensive photographic record.
The series examines political change, work, poverty, education, housing, religion, sport, entertainment, family life, conflict and community development across the twentieth century.
The collection is intended to create a permanent record of the people, places and experiences that shaped modern Limerick.
Contribute to the Archive
Members of the public are invited to contribute photographs, documents, newspaper cuttings, information, corrections and personal memories connected with Limerick.
You may recognise a person in a photograph, remember the location of a business, know the date of an event or possess information that has never been formally recorded.
Even a small detail can help identify an image, correct a historical record or recover a forgotten story.
Original photographs and documents do not necessarily have to be permanently donated. Where appropriate, arrangements may be made for material to be digitally copied and returned.
Report an Error or Add Information
Local history is continually developing as new evidence and personal recollections become available.
Every effort is made to ensure that information published by Limerick Archives is accurate. However, names, dates, locations and descriptions may occasionally require correction or clarification.
Visitors are encouraged to contact the archive when they can provide reliable additional information.
Request Permission to Use Material
Photographs, articles and research published by Limerick Archives may remain protected by copyright.
Schools, researchers, community organisations, publishers, broadcasters and media outlets wishing to reproduce material should request permission before using it.
Please provide details of the item required, the intended use and where the material will appear.
About Limerick Archives
Limerick Archives was founded by Limerick historian, author and former journalist and broadcaster Gerard J. Hannan.
The project is dedicated to preserving local photographs, recovering forgotten stories and making the history of Limerick freely accessible to the public.
The archive is not a completed collection. It is a living historical resource that continues to grow through research, publication and public contribution.
Where to Begin
Begin with the latest stories, search for a familiar name or place, explore a subject category or visit the Limerick Generations collection.
Every photograph, article and memory offers another way to discover the people and communities that created Limerick’s history.
