Photo by Don Dickson

Legend in Ireland has it that a bishop Munchin, a follower of St. Patrick, established a church in the 5th century on the island that was eventually to become Limerick. (Luimneach).

Although there are no actual records it became accepted that this bishop was St. Munchin, and the original church was first replaced in the 12th century. Maps as early as the 15th century continued to show a church on this site.

Once a strong Protestant community Limerick embarked upon a period of Protestant church reconstruction in the early 19th century under the administration of the Board of the First Fruits.

This group existed for some 21 years having been established in 1813, and they commenced work to build a new St. Munchin's in 1827.

The church is constructed in the Gothic style and was designed by the architect James Pain. It uses squared limestone blocks that make this a distinctive Limerick mark.

Read more about St. Munchin