Limerick is a city and the county seat of County Limerick in the province of Munster, in the midwest of Ireland. The city lies on the River Shannon and has a 2006 population of 91,000. The city itself dates from at least the Viking settlement in 812. The Normans redesigned the city in the 12th century and added much of the most notable architecture, such as King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral.

The population of Galway in the 2006 census, was about 72,000. It is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland, located on the west coast. It is also Ireland’s fastest growing city; if the current growth rate continues, the population of the city will hit 100,000 by 2020. Galway is nicknamed Ireland’s Cultural Heart and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. An outstanding site is the Church of Ireland St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church is the largest remaining medieval church still in use in Ireland. It was founded in 1320.