King John's Castle Limerick



King John's Castle on the Shannon		Viking Limerick
		The Vikings founded Limerick in 922AD. It was an ideal site for a settlement. It was an island created by two rivers, the Shannon and the Abbey, with a hill in the centre. Inside Limerick were found the craftsmen found in all Viking towns; blacksmiths, carpenters, potters and comb makers. The Irish eventually recaptured the city.
Norman Conquest	Thomond Bridge			Seán O Scoob
The English captured Limerick in 1194. King John’s Castle was built in the years 1200-1210. It was a symbol of Norman power in Ireland.			A folklore story connected with this bridge is Seán O Scoob. The elders were arguing over who should be the next mayor but couldn’t agree. It was decided to make the first person coming across the bridge on Saturday morning, mayor. Saturday was market day and Seán O Scoob sold his brushes there. As he was first over the bridge he was made mayor to the shock of many including himself. When his wife saw him all dressed up in mayoral garments she shouted, “Do you not recognise me?” “I hardly recognise myself,” he shouted back.
	Thomond Bridge was originally built at this time also connecting the island to the Clare side of the River. The bridge collapsed in 1292 killing 80 men. It was rebuilt but the present Bridge dates from 1838.