King's Island, Limerick
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King's Island (Irish: Oileán an Rí)[1] is an area of central Limerick, Ireland.[2] The area is often referred to colloquially as The Island and consists of two distinct areas, Englishtown and St Mary's Park. The historical city of Limerick known as Englishtown is located on the southern end and St Mary's Park; a local authority housing estate is located on the northern end.
The island is formed from a distributary of the River Shannon. The Abbey River diverts from the Shannon before meeting it again at a confluence near the Potato Market.
The island probably took its name after the 13th-century English King John's Castle was built. However, a 150AD map by Ptolemy shows a place called 'Regia' at the same site as King's Island, and history suggests the presence of earlier settlements in the area. The island's location offers an ideal defensive position at a natural river crossing.
Englishtown
In times past, the ancient city of Limerick itself was entirely contained in the area now known as Englishtown as a
St Mary's Park
St Mary's Park is a local authority housing estate located on the northern part of the island known as the Island Field. As one of the most deprived areas in Limerick city, it is earmarked as part of the overall Limerick city regeneration project which will see the estate replanned and rebuilt with greater integration to the city.
Landmarks
As the most historic and ancient part of Limerick, King's Island and the Englishtown area contains many notable buildings and landmarks such as:
- King John's Castle, Castle Street, dates from the 13th Century
- St Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, dates from the 14th Century
- Old Bishop's Palace, (now headquarters of Limerick Civic Trust), Castle Street, c1750
- St Munchin's Church (now the Island Theatre Company), Church Street, c1825
- Villier's Almhouses, Verdant Place, c1820
- (Royal) Military Cemetery, King's Island, which dates from 1856
- Bourke's Castle, Athlunkard Street
- Fanning's Castle, Mary Street, c1641
- City Courthouse, Merchants Quay, c1800
- Barrington's Hospital, George's Quay
- St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Athlunkard Street
- Exchange Walls (formerly the Exchange Building), Nicholas Street
- Ruins of the old Dominican Friary, Bishop Street
- Limerick City Hall & Civic Buildings, Merchants Quay
- Baal's Bridge dates from 1830 replacing an earlier structure (which connected Irishtown to Englishtown in medieval times). The bridge is also known for the Baal's Bridge Square. When the new bridge was constructed in 1830 an old brass square of Freemasonry symbolism was found in the foundations of the original bridge with a date inscribed to 1517. The Square is reputed to be one of the earliest Masonic items found in the world.[4]
See also
- History of Limerick City
- History of Ireland
- King John of England
- Limerick City Museum
References
- ^ "Oileán an Rí/King's Island". logainm.ie. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ King's Island Limerick.
- ^ a b "Limerick City Topography - Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)". www.libraryireland.com.
- ^ Jun 18, Sharon Slater; Places, 2010 | Limerick (18 June 2010). "Baal's Bridge - Joining Irishtown and Englishtown • Limerick Places". Limerick's Life.
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