Landmark
Limerick Tunnel
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The Limerick Tunnel is a key piece of modern infrastructure that runs beneath the River Shannon, linking the N18 road between Bunratty and Limerick city. Opened in 2010, it dramatically reduced travel times across the Shannon estuary. While not a traditional tourist attraction, it's a notable engineering feat that visitors will likely pass through when exploring the region. The tunnel is twin-bored, each tube carrying two lanes of traffic, and features state-of-the-art ventilation and safety systems. Approaching from Bunratty, you'll see the toll plaza and the tunnel's portals set into the riverbanks. Driving through, the tunnel's well-lit interior is a brief but impressive underground journey. For those interested in civil engineering, it's a modern counterpart to the historic bridges and castles of the area.
Don't miss
- Drive through the tunnel to experience the engineering firsthand
- Observe the toll plaza and tunnel portals from the roadside
- Note the tunnel's length (about 1 km) as you pass under the river
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