An ancient city well studied in the arts of war.

Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland.

Limerick grew rich through trade in the late 18th century, but the Act of Union in 1800 and the famine caused a crippling economic decline broken only by the recent economic boom known as the "Celtic Tiger".

Sadly the Republic of Ireland is going through a major economic crisis and based on what I saw during my visit I get the horrible feeling that Limerick is entering a new cycle of economic decline.

The city dates from at least the Viking settlement in 812. The Normans redesigned the city in the 12th century and added much of the most notable architecture, such as King John's Castle and St Mary's Cathedral.

During the civil wars of the 17th century the city played a pivotal role, besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1651 and twice by the Williamites in the 1690s. This turbulent period earned the city its motto: Urbs antiqua fuit studisque asperrima belli (An ancient city well studied in the arts of war). Date Taken on 26 May 2011, 14:23 Source Limerick - Chapel Street Author William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland