The Milk Market In Limerick: History + Great Food

Ah, the Milk Market. Even the thought of it sends bellies rumbling!

And, while there’s plenty of great restaurants in Limerick, I find myself heading for the city’s Milk Market whenever hunger arises.

In the guide below, you’ll find a bit about its history along with some of our favourite spots to eat.

Some quick need-to-knows before you visit the Milk Market

Although a visit to the Milk Market in Limerick is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Limerick’s famous food market is situated in the city’s northeast corner, bordered by Carr St, Cornmarket Row, Mungret St, and Ellen St, which is also in the heart of Limerick’s Irishtown.

2. Opening hours

• Fridays: 10am to 3pm
• Saturdays: 8am to 3pm
• Sundays: 11am to 3pm

3. Parking

There is ample parking on Robert St, at the Cornmarket Square Car Park. This is a multi-storey car park, with reasonable rates. There is also parking on Cornmarket Row, and open parking off Ellen St, which is a 1-3-minute walk back to The Milk Market.

About the Milk Market

One of Ireland’s oldest markets, The Milk Market in northeastern Limerick City dates back to at least the early 19th century.

There were various markets in the area before this, but they were brought together to form one larger market in the 1850s, under the care and management of the Limerick Market Trustees.

The former markets included The Butter Market, the Pig Market, and the Hay Market before they were incorporated into the expanded new market.

This would later become known as the Markets Fields stadium as a sports ground overtook the site. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the market saw revitalisation.

With the horticultural market, and markets for other goods including Christmas turkeys that the Limerick Market Trustees began to break even – it had until this point been in receivership.

The market is now thriving and has proven to be extremely popular with tourists and foodies alike.

Places to eat at the Milk Market

So, there’s heaps of places to eat in the Milk Market in Limerick. We’ll outline some of our favourite spots in the section below.

1. Bon-Appétit Crêperie

A little bit of France in the heart of Limerick City, Bon-Appétit Crêperie is a popular choice for authentic French crepes with a variety of fillings.

2. Happy Food At Home

The sole proprietor, Ciara Brennan, has every right to be proud of her plant-based and homemade menus at the mighty Happy Food At Home.

3. Piog Pies

Piog Pies offers freshly baked gourmet pies made daily in Tralee, using only high-quality, additive-free ingredients like mountain lamb, Irish salmon, and pure butter.

4. Wilde Irish Chocolates

Wilde Irish Chocolates handcrafts a variety of award-winning chocolates, including organic Fairtrade bars, artisan creations, and unique confections, embodying the spirit of true chocolate indulgence.

5. The Gourmet Tart Company

A Galway-based business, the Gourmet Tart Company is noted for selling cakes, speciality bread, loaves of regular bread, quiches, and of course you can also get your favourite tarts.

6. Sunflower Bakery

With the largest range of organic bread around, all produced in the nearby bakery, you’ll find loaves of spelt, sourdough, multi-seed, granary, standard white, Italian ciabatta, and savoury breads like cheese and onion, tomato and olive, and a fantastic traditional Irish brown bread.

7. Killowen Orchard

Growers of apples for both fresh fruit and also for juice pressing, Killowen Orchard also grow daffodils and tulips for bulbs and fresh-cut floral displays.

8. Green Acres Cheese & Coffee

Point your belly in the direction of this one-stop-shop for the best of cheese and coffee. The range of cheeses includes cows, goats, sheep, and even buffalo, all ready for you to take home and enjoy.

Things to do nearby

One of the beauties of the Milk Market is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Limerick.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the market.

1. St John’s Cathedral (5-minute walk)

Heading almost due east, St John’s Cathedral was built in the 1860s and features a spire 94 metres tall. It’s just opposite St John’s Hospital, and the cathedral is used for services, so you’re welcome to attend should you happen during those hours.

2. Museums and Galleries (5 to 10-minute walk)

A quick 10-minute walk from The Milk Market, and housed in the former customs house, a collection of 2,000 ancient and modern treasures are available to view by the general public at the Hunt Museum.
Head in the opposite direction from this museum, and only a 7-minute walk from the market, is the Limerick City Gallery of Art.

3. St Mary’s Cathedral (8-minute walk)

A Church of Ireland site, it was originally founded in 1168 and it is the oldest building in Limerick still in use to this day. St Mary’s Cathedral also houses the last complete set of misericords (carved wooden figures under folding seats) left in Ireland and should not be missed.

4. King John’s Castle (12-minute walk)

A 13th-century medieval fortress, which has been restored to some of its former glory, King John’s Castle has a visitor’s centre with period costumes and interactive exhibits. Various invading forces, including Vikings in 922, have occupied the site.