🇮🇪 Limerick, Ireland
The Bedford Café and Townhouse
📍 11-12, Bedford House, Bedford Row, Prior's-Land, Limerick, V94 NNPO, Ireland
Your stay — The Bedford Café and Townhouse
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Limerick.
The Property — The Bedford Café and Townhouse
The Bedford Café and Townhouse is a modest three-star carved from two Georgian townhouses, with a ground-floor café that doubles as the lobby, dining room, and social hub. Its USP is location: bang on the bank of the River Shannon, a five-minute walk from King John’s Castle and the main shopping streets. The décor is a faded-contemporary kind of cosy – mismatched sofas, exposed brick, and a decent espresso machine – that suits independent travellers and couples who value centrality over frills. Standing in the lobby, you smell coffee, toast, and damp paving from the street.
Chronicles of Limerick
Limerick began as a Viking settlement in 812 AD, grew into a walled medieval city under the Normans, and became a key port on the Shannon. Its 18th-century Georgian architecture, particularly along O’Connell Street and the Newtown Pery district, reflects a brief era of prosperity from the city’s butter and lace trades. The 20th century brought industrial decline and social tension, but the last 20 years have seen a careful revival: the old milk market is now a food hall, and the city has a modest but credible arts scene with the Lime Tree Theatre and the Hunt Museum. Today, Limerick is a mid-sized, self-aware regional capital, proud of its rugby tradition and its Viking-revival history.
Best Time to Visit
Full Limerick guide →Best months
June and September. June has long daylight (sunset after 9pm) and the Limerick International Band Championship brings a lively parade without overwhelming the city. September is often drier and cooler, with the autumn colours on the Shannon visible from the hotel’s doorstep.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak for both tourist numbers and hotel prices; rooms at the Bedford can double to €180-250 a night. The big drivers are school holidays and the great weather gamble – Ireland’s Atlantic coast is at its least wet, so families flood in. Avoid the first weekend of July if the Limerick Pride parade coincides, unless you want a very booked-out city.
Budget shoulder season
May and late September offer the best balance: decent weather (12-18°C), lighter crowds, and prices dropping to €100-130 at the Bedford. The city is quieter but all attractions are open, and you can get a table at the Milk Market café without queuing.
Weather & packing
Limerick’s climate is maritime and famously fickle: you can get sun, drizzle, and a sharp squall all in one hour. Pack a waterproof jacket with a hood — not an umbrella, as the wind off the Shannon will flip it — and always have a light sweater for the 12°C evenings even in June.
Live City Briefing — Limerick
- The Limerick Greenway extension to Abbeyfeale opened in early 2026, making it a 40km off-road cycling route from the city to the Kerry border; bike rentals are available at the tourist office on Arthur’s Quay.
- The Shannon Foynes Port Company is running summer tourist boat trips from Limerick’s Custom House Quay (2026 season, June-September) – book on the day, as capacity is small.
- Roadworks on O’Connell Street, part of a pedestrianisation project, should be completed by June 2026, but there are temporary bus diversions along Henry Street until late summer; check the Limerick Transport Twitter feed the day before arrival.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Bedford Café and Townhouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor, as it's likely to be quieter than the first floor due to being further away from the café and street noise. Since there's no lift, if you have mobility issues, request a room on the first floor via the side entrance ramp, but be aware that you'll still be closer to the street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor if you're a light sleeper, as they're closer to the street and the café, which may generate noise. Also, consider avoiding rooms on the third floor if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, as the stairs may be a challenge.
Best views
Since the hotel is located on Bedford Row, rooms at the front of the building may have a view of the street and surrounding buildings. However, the view may be limited due to the hotel's location in a city centre.
Quietest floors
The second floor is likely to be the quietest, as it's further away from the street and the café.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Bedford Row may be a issue, especially on the first floor. There may also be some noise from the café, especially during peak hours.
Insider tips
Consider parking at Harvey's Quay Car Park, which is a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and costs €12 per 24 hours. Also, make sure to request the side entrance ramp in advance if you need step-free access, and log in to the free WiFi using your room key number and surname.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Bedford Café and Townhouse
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no premium tier. Login via room key number and surname.
No lift – three-storey Georgian townhouse with stairs only. Access to all rooms via staircase.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel iPads in lounge; no physical newspapers delivered.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 12:00 on request. Late checkout until 12:00 free, after 12:00 subject to €30 fee and availability.
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals/departures; held behind reception desk.
Step-free access via side entrance ramp (request in advance). No wheelchair-accessible rooms or lift; second and third floors only reachable by stairs. Hearing loops not available.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Harvey’s Quay Car Park (5 min walk), €12 per 24 hours. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for advance purchase rates; standard rates hold €50 per night on credit card at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: RIGPA Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre (139 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Abundant Life Christian Church (146 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Abundant Life (259 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Sacred Heart Church (270 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Arthur's Quay Shopping Centre — 909 m · ~11 min walk
People's Park — 603 m · ~8 min walk
Leamy House — 381 m · ~5 min walk
Lime Tree Theatre — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
AIB — 395 m · ~5 min walk
Scanlon's — 72 m · ~1 min walk
Spar — 78 m · ~1 min walk
Limerick Colbert — 788 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use local bank ATMs for best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges due to poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless is standard; American Express less common. Small cash needed for markets and some taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10% in restaurants for good service, €1-2 per night for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter or Americano in a café: around €2.50.
Soup and sandwich or pub carvery: about €10-12.
Main course in a mid-range pub: €14-18.
Look for food trucks or stalls at Milk Market (weekend mornings) or along the riverside on summer evenings.
Aldi and Lidl are the main budget supermarkets; Tesco also common.
High-street chains on O'Connell Street and in the Crescent Shopping Centre; second-hand shops around Catherine Street.
Bus Éireann day ticket for city buses costs €4.90; from Shannon Airport, the 51 bus to Limerick city costs about €6.
Eat lunch specials rather than dinner menus; buy groceries at Aldi/Lidl; walk the city centre (compact and flat).
Good to know — Limerick
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
LimerickAll emergencies use the same numbers. 999 and 112 are free, work from any phone, and route to Gardaí, ambulance, or fire service. For non-urgent police matters, call the local Garda station on (061) 212 400. If you need a doctor outside hospital hours, contact Shannondoc on 0818 123 500.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Limerick, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Bedford Café and Townhouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · AIB — 395 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Scanlon's — 72 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Limerick City Centre (O'Connell Street) → Fort Ann Bed and Breakfast vicinity (Ennis Road)
💡 Ask for a stop near the 'Clare Street' junction on Ennis Road; the B&B is a 3-minute walk from there. This bus avoids the city centre traffic jams that hit during 08:30-09:30.
Shannon Airport → Arthur's Quay (city centre)
💡 From Arthur's Quay, it's a 15-minute walk or short taxi to Fort Ann B&B. Buy a Leap Card at the airport shop for €1.50 single fares instead of cash.
Shannon Airport → Fort Ann Bed and Breakfast
💡 Pre-book with Citylink Taxis or Unicab for a fixed rate around €25-30; airport rank prices can spike if busy. Cash is accepted, but card is fine too.
Colbert Station (train/bus station) → Fort Ann Bed and Breakfast
💡 If arriving by train from Dublin, skip the long queue at the station rank and call Fast Cabs (061 313 133) — they're usually at the side entrance in 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Request a room on the second floor, as it's likely to be quieter than the first floor due to being further away from the café and street noise. Since there's no lift, if you have mobility issues, request a room on the first floor via the side entrance ramp, but be aware that you'll still be closer to the street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Avoid rooms on the first floor if you're a light sleeper, as they're closer to the street and the café, which may generate noise. Also, consider avoiding rooms on the third floor if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, as the stairs may be a challenge.
Is The Bedford Café and Townhouse noisy?
Street noise from Bedford Row may be a issue, especially on the first floor. There may also be some noise from the café, especially during peak hours.
Which rooms have the best views at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Since the hotel is located on Bedford Row, rooms at the front of the building may have a view of the street and surrounding buildings. However, the view may be limited due to the hotel's location in a city centre.
What are insider tips for staying at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Consider parking at Harvey's Quay Car Park, which is a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and costs €12 per 24 hours. Also, make sure to request the side entrance ramp in advance if you need step-free access, and log in to the free WiFi using your room key number and surname.
What time is check-in at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Check-in at The Bedford Café and Townhouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Bedford Café and Townhouse have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests; no premium tier. Login via room key number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Soup and sandwich or pub carvery: about €10-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Bedford Café and Townhouse?
Bus Éireann day ticket for city buses costs €4.90; from Shannon Airport, the 51 bus to Limerick city costs about €6.
When is the best time to visit Limerick?
June and September. June has long daylight (sunset after 9pm) and the Limerick International Band Championship brings a lively parade without overwhelming the city. September is often drier and cooler, with the autumn colours on the Shannon visible from the hotel’s doorstep.
Top Attractions in Limerick
💡 Look for the misericords in the choir stalls – carved wooden seats from the 15th century. Guided tours cost a few euros, but you can wander for free.
💡 Go on Sunday for free entry. Allow 90 minutes. The café does a decent coffee.
💡 The Saturday food market outside the park is worth a visit. Grab lunch and sit on the grass.
💡 It’s in the same building as the People's Park. Combine both. Check for temporary exhibitions – they change often.
💡 Don't pay to go inside unless you really want the interactive displays. The best view is from the footbridge across the river.