Fishing

For endless fish tales, an excellent guide, the best local tackle, and pure, all-around entertainment, it's hard to beat Paddy Guerin at the Kingfisher Angling Centre in nearby Castleconnell (15-min. drive from Limerick; tel. 061/377407). He's even got a pub where you can tell your own tales at the end of the fishing day. In Limerick itself, get information, licenses, permits, and equipment at Steve's Fishing and Shooting Store, The Milk Market, Carr St. (tel. 061/413484). Celtic Angling, in nearby Ballingarry, Adare (tel. 069/68202), can provide daylong salmon-fishing excursions on the Shannon, including pickup from Limerick City, equipment, licenses, and everything else you need. A day's fishing will cost on average €190 to €300 ($247-$390) for one person, plus €60 to €100 ($78-$130) for each additional person in a group.

Golf

The Limerick area has three 18-hole golf courses, including a championship par-72 parkland layout at the Limerick County Golf & Country Club, Ballyneety (tel. 061/351881), 8km (5 miles) east of Limerick. It charges greens fees of €40 ($52) Monday to Friday, €50 ($65) weekends. The par-70 inland course at the Limerick Golf Club, Ballyclough (tel. 061/415146), 4.8km (3 miles) south of Limerick, has greens fees of €20 ($26) weekdays, €28 ($36) weekends. The par-71 inland course at Castletroy Golf Club, Castletroy, County Limerick (tel. 061/335753), 4.8km (3 miles) east of Limerick, charges greens fees of €40 ($52) weekdays, €50 ($65) weekends.

Horseback Riding

The county's fields provide good turf for horseback riding. Rates run about €25 ($33) per hour. The Clonshire Equestrian Centre, Adare, County Limerick (tel. 061/396770), offers riding for all levels, horsemanship classes, and instruction for cross-country riding, dressage, and jumping. Clonshire is also home to the Limerick Foxhounds; in the winter, it's a center for hunting in the area. Per-hour rates average €35 ($46) for adults, €30 ($39) for students and children under 18. Riding and board packages are available.