Plan Your Visit
Location
This year's conference takes place in the historic city of Limerick, at the mouth of the River Shannon.
Founded by the Vikings more than a thousand years ago, the city of Limerick is magnificently sited on one of Europe's finest rivers, the Shannon. In 1197, the City was granted a charter by John, Earl of Morton who later became King of England. He was responsible for the subsequent building of King John's Castle in 1210. Today, it is viewed as one of the finest examples of fortified Norman architecture in Ireland. Presently, the castle is home to a major interpretative centre.
Other important city landmarks include the Treaty Stone where the treaty ending the siege of 1691 was reputedly signed, St Mary's Cathedral (c. 1194), which incorporates elements of both Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles and the much later St John's Cathedral, completed in 1859, which is a fine example of Gothic architecture.
The City is home to several important museums and galleries including Limerick City Museum, the Hunt Museum, and Limerick City Gallery of Art. The City Museum is dedicated to presenting the city through the ages, from the Stone Age to the recent past. The Hunt Museum, located in the Customs House, is based on an extremely impressive collection of antiques and fine objects that were bequeath to the State by the Hunt Family. Limerick is an ideal base from which to explore both the south and the west coast of Ireland.
Limerick has a long list of attractions and exciting activities for people of all ages and interests, a more exhaustive of which can be found here on Limerick.ie.
Limerick is also the gateway to Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland's west coast leads you through one of the world's most dramatic coastal landscapes, a landscape on the edge of Europe that has shaped the development of its people, communities and settlements, a landscape that has inspired its own particular language, literature, art, song and dance.
It's a place of many natural features - seascapes, sea-life, cliffs, mountains, glens, loughs, trails and pathways. It's a place to experience nature at its wildest, a place to explore the history of the Gaels and their religion; a place to experience great events, great food and drink, great music and the craic.
Start planning your journey today at Discover Ireland or Ireland.com or Limerick.ie
MIC Campus
ACIS 2024 will be held in Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick. The College was founded in 1898. The oldest third level institution in Limerick, it was originally established to educate female teachers in the Catholic national school system. In the decades since, MIC has expanded its capacity and, while it stands as one of the leading initial teacher education colleges in the country, MIC also offers Liberal Arts and Theatre Studies options at its main Limerick campus, and degrees for post-primary teaching on its second campus in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
MIC launched the Institute of Irish Studies (ISS) in 2015 with the aim of establishing a strong and significant national and international footprint in the developing areas of Irish Studies. Under the direction of Prof. Eugene O'Brien, the ISS regularly hosts lecturers and seminars on issues of Irish culture and society.
Getting Here
MIC is situated just 20 minutes from Shannon Airport and is also just off the M7 Motorway which links with Dublin Airport.
It is also a 15 minute walk from Colbert Rail and Bus Station in Limerick City, meaning public transport is an option for visitors also.
There are a number of commercial coaches going directly from Dublin Airport to Limerick City.
Dublin Coach offers services from Dublin Airport to Limerick City.
eireagle offer coaches daily from Dublin Airport to Limerick City.
JJ Kavanagh offers services from Limerick to Dublin Airport.
Bus Éireann offer services from Cork Airport to Limerick City.
City Link offer services from Cork Airport to Limerick City.
Ireland is accessible by ferry through a number of companies. Please see ferry operator's websites for the must up to date routes and information as they are subject to change.
Holyhead, Wales to Dublin serviced by Irish Ferries.
Cherbourg to Ireland serviced by Irish Ferries and Stena Line.
Liverpool to Ireland serviced by P&O.
Roscoff to Cork serviced by Britany Ferries.
Fishguard, Wales serviced by Stena Line.
Pembroke, Wales serviced by Irish Ferries.
Isle of Man to Ireland serviced by Steam Packet Company.
Accommodation
Accommodation for the conference is available in a range of locations throughout Limerick City and the surrounding areas.
Special conference rates are available at the following hotels:
Overlooking the Abbey River in the medieval quarter of Limerick City and easily accessible from Shannon International Airport, The Absolute Hotel is the perfect base in Limerick with King John’s castle on its doorstep and the retail core of Limerick city just a 5-minute scenic walk away.
Distance to Mary Immaculate Campus:
3.3km, 10-minute drive.
Rate €170 bed and breakfast per night.
Please book directly by calling Reservations on 00353 61 463610 quoting ACIS 2024.
The George Hotel is located in the heart of Limerick city centre. Boasting an eclectic mix of contemporary style and comfort, guests experience the perfect match of cutting-edge cosmopolitan boutique hotel style along with an unparalleled standard of service. Guests may also enjoy private complimentary leisure facilities at our sister hotel The Savoy Hotel just a 2-minute walk away.
Distance to Mary Immaculate Campus:
1.7km, 7-minute drive.
Rate €145 bed and breakfast per night.
Please book directly by calling reservations on 00353 61 448 700 quoting reference GA001196.
MIC Limerick Student Accommodation complex has 85 rooms available for conference attendees. Single rooms, with continental breakfast €55 per night. Twin rooms (14 available), double occupancy, with continental breakfast €110.
Distance to Mary Immaculate Campus:
7-minute walk from conference venue.
Reservations can be made using the email address courtbrack@mic.ul.ie as well as by phone on +353 61 302500.
Other accommodation options are available throughout Limerick city depending on budget requirements (see list below).
Accommodation can also be booked via booking sites such as www.booking.com and www.trivago.com
The precise location for Mary Immaculate College is V94 VN26
B&B guest house accommodation options with rooms starting at €45:
https://www.limerick.ie/discover/visiting/accommodation/bb/browse?category=All®ion=990&keyword=
The Old Quarter Townhouse | http://www.theoldquarter.ie/
The Old Quarter Townhouse is located in the heart of Limerick city centre, beside the pedestrian shopping area, close to pubs, restaurants, cafes and local attractions. The Old Quarter Townhouse offers comfortable en suite rooms and free WiFi. Each room has a flat-screen TV and hairdryer. Reception is open 24-hours a day, so someone is always ready to help and offer local advice and recommendations. The bus and train stations are only a short walk away.
2.1km from Mary Immaculate College, 7 minutes drive, 25 minute walk
Single rooms available
From €119
The Bedford Townhouse | http://www.thebedford.ie/
The Bedford Townhouse is a boutique property set in the heart of Limerick. Among the various facilities are a gym and a roof garden. Free WiFi is available and The Hunt Museum is 500 metres away. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Rooms include a private bathroom with a shower. All units at The Bedford Townhouse have air conditioning and a wardrobe.
Distance to Mary Immaculate College: 1.4km 4 min drive, 20 minute walk
From €179
The Savoy Hotel | https://www.thesavoycollectio…
The Savoy is a boutique hotel right in the centre of Limerick, between historic King John's Castle and the landmark that is Thomond Park. Overlooking the River Shannon, it offers 3 restaurants and luxurious bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. Limerick's shops, museums and restaurants are only minutes away. Air-conditioned rooms at the Savoy Limerick all have satellite TVs, bathrobes and slippers. They also include lap-top safes and executive rooms and suites have access to the 7th-floor Executive Lounge.
Distance to Mary Immaculate College: 1.3km 4 min drive, 18 minute walk
From €158
The Strand Hotel | https://www.strandhotellimeri…
Situated in the heart of Limerick, the 4-star award-winning Limerick Strand Hotel is next to the River Shannon. The luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms, a 20-metre swimming pool, a steam room, and 2 hot tubs. Shannon Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Featuring large king-size beds and a flat-screen LCD TV, the bright and airy bedrooms include free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.
Distance to Mary Immaculate College: 1.8km 6 min drive, 25 minute walk
From €152
Clayton Hotel | https://www.claytonhotellimer…
With views from the idyllic location on the River Shannon waterfront in Limerick City Centre, Clayton Hotel Limerick offers free WiFi throughout and access to the Waterfront Restaurant, Grill Bar and Restaurant and ClubVitae leisure centre, featuring a 12 meter indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym, steam room and sauna. The light and modern rooms boast a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, free WiFi and en suite bathrooms with soft cotton towels, a hairdryer and toiletries.
Distance to Mary Immaculate College: 1km 3 min drive, 13 minute walk
From €239
No1 Pery Square | https://www.oneperysquare.com/
This boutique town house is close to Limerick city centre and opposite Pery Square (Peoples’ Park). It offers free wired internet, luxury rooms and organic spa treatments. No. 1 Pery Square has elegant, modern rooms with big beds, bathrobes, slippers, safety deposit boxes and a CD collection. The rooms have views across Pery Square or the garden.
Distance to Mary Immaculate College: 1.1km 3 min drive, 14 minute walk
From €275
Visitor Information
Ireland has a temperate climate, resulting in relatively cool summers. The mean daily temperature in June is 15 – 20°C. It is generally quite dry in June but it is possible to experience many climate changes in one day. Rain can occur at any time, so come prepared!
Ireland is generally informal about clothes. In the more expensive hotels and restaurants most people dress formally for dinner and a jacket and tie
might be required. Warm sweaters, comfortable walking shoes and rainwear are advisable throughout the year.
Credit cards are widely used in Ireland and all leading credit cards are accepted.
Like other countries in the EU, the Republic of Ireland's currency is the euro (€). Bills (notes) come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 euros. You will also commonly see one and two euro coins, as well as 5-, 10-, 20-, and 50-cent coins (100 cents to the euro).
Exchange rates vary daily. You can check the latest values here.
Frequent travellers find it most convenient to withdraw cash using ATMs, where the exchange rate is most favourable, rather than exchanging money at the airport. Confirm with your own bank that your ATM card will work. Inform them in advance of your travel plans, so that your access should be simple. Check with your bank for any cost associated with using the ATM network while in Ireland. There may be a foreign transaction fee in addition to the regular bank fee.
If you want to exchange your currency in Ireland, a main bank is the best place to change currency. Bureau de change counters in banks usually offer better exchange rates - but be sure to check for local banking days when they will be closed.
Limerick has a wide range of restaurants offering local and international cuisine. You will find a helpful list of local restaurants here on Limerick.ie.
A valid licence is required for driving in Ireland. Driving is on the left and seat belts must be worn at all times. In the Republic of Ireland the speed limits are 50km/h in built up urban areas, 80km/h on rural Regional roads (R) and Local Roads (L), 100km/h on the National Roads (N) - including
Dual Carriageways - and 120km/h on the motorways (M). The signposts denoting speed and distance are in kilometres per hour. All signposts and place names are displayed bilingually in both Irish and English.
Ireland works off a flat three-pin plug system. Electrical current is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC). You are advised to purchase the appropriate adapters in advance. These are available at most airports.
Republic of Ireland Emergency: Police, Fire, Ambulance Telephone: 112 or 999
The fire, ambulance and police services in Ireland are all contactable via the above numbers. When calling emergency services you will be asked to provide:
- The exact address/eircode of the incident or emergency, and/or any noticeable landmarks nearby
- Directions to the scene of the emergency
- The telephone number you are calling from
- Details on the incident itself, the number of persons involved, the description of any visible injuries and knowledge of any pre-existing medical conditions
Try and stay calm and listen to the call taker's instructions. It is also important to keep your own phone on as the emergency service may need to contact you for further information.
Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm with late night shopping until 8 or 9pm at many of the larger stores. On Sunday, many supermarkets and some of the bigger shops will open from midday until 6pm.
Since 2004 smoking is banned fully in the general workplace, enclosed public places, restaurants, bars, cafés, education facilities, healthcare facilities and public transport. It's perfectly legal to smoke outdoors.
The customary tip in Ireland is 10 to 20 per cent. Many hotels and restaurants add it in the form of a service charge on the menu or bill. It's not customary to tip in pubs unless you have table service. Tipping porters, taxi drivers, hairdressers etc is a good idea.
Vaccinations are currently not required for travel to Ireland. However, we strongly advise that you consult your GP well in advance of your departure for medical advice.
Under the Retail Export Scheme, if you live outside of the EU, you can claim back a portion of the VAT on purchases made during your stay in the Republic of Ireland. Most retailers participate in this VAT refund scheme and you can ask for a VAT refund form in the store once you've made your purchases.
For more information about VAT refunds, visit Citizen Information here.
Travellers from some countries may need visas. A list of countries whose citizens need a visa to visit Ireland can be found on www.citizensinformation.ie.
- Location
- MIC Campus
- Getting Here
- Accommodation
- Visitor Information
