Conference
Stacks, Studio and Beyond: Artists and the Art Library
1-3 July 2025 | Limerick School of Art & Design, TUS: Midlands Midwest
This year the ARLIS UK & Ireland annual conference takes place at the Limerick School of Art & Design, at the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.
Stacks to Studio and Beyond: Artists and the Art Library will look at the lifecycle of the relationship between the artist and the art library, from the artist’s education and artistic practice to the preservation of artists’ legacies and histories. We will delve into the innovative ways art libraries are supporting artists at the various phases of their creative life, and explore topics such as
- The art library’s role in Higher Education for the arts
- Artists’ access to art libraries and their collections for research and inspiration
- Art libraries, artists and community engagement
- Sharing artistic legacies and cultural memory
We are thrilled to share that keynote speeches will be presented by Sepake Angiama (Artistic Director at the Institute for International Visual Art (INIVA) in London), Katherine McSharry (Deputy University Librarian at the University of Galway) and Virginia Teehan (Chief Executive at The Heritage Council).
Local information
Limerick is on the West Coast of Ireland at the mouth of Ireland’s longest river the Shannon. It is part of Ireland’s Midwest region and is in the province of Munster. The nearest airport is Shannon International Airport, which is approximately a 30 minute bus ride from the centre of Limerick City. All major airlines service Shannon including, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines. Buses run every 30 minutes from Shannon Airport to Limerick city centre.
The city dates from 812 A.D. but most of it’s most notable architecture is from the Norman (12th century) and Georgian periods. The current population of Limerick’s metropolitan district is approx. 105,000 people. It is a university town with a vibrant arts and cultural community. It is located close to Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, with highlights of the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren in County Clare just over an hour’s drive away. Both Cork and Galway cities are within 1.5 hours from Limerick, whilst, Ireland’s capital city Dublin is approx. 2.5 hours away with good train and bus connections.
There are lots of interesting things to see and do when in Ireland. Please see a selection of links below:
Limerick:
https://www.discoverireland.ie/limerick/visit-limerick
County Clare:
https://www.discoverireland.ie/clare/things-to-do-clare
The Wild Atlantic Way:
https://www.discoverireland.ie/wild-atlantic-way
Galway City:
https://www.discoverireland.ie/galway-city
Cork City:
https://www.discoverireland.ie/cork-city
Dublin City:
Food options
Food Options Near Limerick School of Art & Design
The River Deli
Opening Hours: 8 am – 3.15 pm
Location: V94 TW5E
Distance from LSAD: 7 mins walk (500m)
The Locke Bar & Restaurant
The Locke Bar
Opening Hours: 9 am – 12 pm
Location: V94 C896
Distance from LSAD: 10 mins walk (700m)
Absolute Hotel
Opening Hours: 07 am – 12 pm
Location: V94 WP52
Distance from LSAD: 10 mins walk (550m)
The Hunt Museum Café
The Hunt Café – The Hunt Museum
Opening Hours: 10 am – 4.30
Location: V94 EV8A
Distance from LSAD: 11 mins walk (750m)
Tesco
Opening Hours: 8 am – 10 pm
Location: V94 544E
Distance from LSAD: 12 mins walk (850m)
Travel information
How to get from Airports to Limerick City
Bus Route from Shannon Airport to Limerick (Drop off William Street Limerick):
- Bus No: 343
- Departure Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Journey Time: 55 minutes
- Ticket Price: €7 – €11
- Additional Service: Expressway services this route is hourly.
Bus Route From Dublin Airport to Limerick (Drop off Arthur’s Quay Limerick City):
- Bus from Flightlink bus Ticket Selection – Flight Link
- Departure: Frequency: every 2 hrs Zone 12 at the airport
- Journey time: 2h 30 min
- Ticket price approx €26.00
- Bus No: 712X from Zone 10
- Departure Frequency: Every 2 hours
- Journey Time: 2h 30m
- Ticket Price: approx. €27 euro Single
Train option from Dublin Hueston Train station to Limerick Train station:
Another option for traveling from Dublin Airport is to take a bus from Airport Terminal 1. The Dublin Express buses run every 10 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 39 minutes and a fare of about €9.00. From there, you can catch a train from Dublin Hueston train Station to Limerick Station, which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the time, with a ticket costing approximately €31. Rail Fares Information
Bus Route From Cork Airport to Limerick (Drop off Henry Street Limerick city):
- Bus No: 251
- Departure Frequency: Every 2 hours
- Journey Time: 2h 15m
- Ticket Price: approx. €21 euro Single
Tourist attractions
Bus Route from LSAD to University of Limerick:
- Bus No: 304A
- Departure Point: Pennywell Street (Limerick Paint Supplies), just beside the College entrance.
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Journey Time: Approximately 15 minutes
- Video Tour of University of Limerick: Watch here
Bus Route from Sarsfield Bridge to Bunratty Castle:
- Bus No: 343
- Journey Time: 26 minutes (Direct route)
- Ticket Price: €6 – €10 (one-way, 1 passenger)
Bus from Limerick to Galway:
- Bus No: Expressway Limerick to Galway bus from €10 with Expressway – Omio
- Journey Time: 2h 10m
- Ticket Price: €10 – €15 (one-way, 1 passenger)
Train from Limerick to Galway city:
- Journey time: approx. 2 hrs depending on the time of day
- Ticket price: approx. €20.00 return.
- Website to book train tickets. Ireland rail travel information – Iarnród Éireann – Irish Rail
Accomodation
The Absolute Hotel
5 min walk LSAD campus
Approximately €167 B&B per room per night
4* Absolute Hotel | Official Website | Hotel in Limerick City Centre
The Savoy Hotel
City centre – swimming pool in this hotel
€210 to €270 per night per person (code ART15 to book either directly by calling the hotel or through the hotels website)
Luxury Accommodation Rooms in Limerick | Savoy Hotel Limerick
The Old Quarter Townhouse
3 stars (very close to LSAD campus)
€125 to €150 per night
George Limerick Hotel
4 stars (in the centre of Limerick City)
€180 to €200 a night
Travelodge Limerick Castletroy
3 stars (about 3km from LSAD)
Approximately €135 a night
Travelodge Hotels Ireland | Great value hotels throughout Ireland
Castletroy Park Hotel
4 stars (about 3 to 4km from LSAD)
Approximately €150 B&B per night (can offer 20 rooms with a 4 week release, delegates call the hotel directly to book)
The Castletroy Park Hotel | Hotels in Limerick | 4 Star Hotels Limerick
Limerick Strand Hotel
4 stars (on the edge of the city about a 15 min walk to LSAD)
€212 to 250 per night (15% off best available rate, code ART15 to book either directly by calling the hotel or through the hotels website)
The Limerick Strand Hotel | Limerick City Hotel | Official Website
Kilmurry Lodge Hotel
3 stars (3 to 4 KM from LSAD)
Approximately €155 B&B per night (can offer 20 rooms that would be available to book until May 30th, any unsold rooms would then be released, guests book directly with an online code)
Woodfield House Hotel
3 stars (about a 20 min walk to LSAD)
Approximately €139 a night
Clayton Hotel Limerick
4 stars (swimming pool at this site, about 20 min walk to LSAD)
Approximately €209 B&B per room per night
Dromroe Village University of Limerick
Self-catered accommodation at University of Limerick
€116 per night
Self-Catering accommodation University of Limerick | Limerick.ie