Thomond Park is the home of Munster Rugby, and one of the iconic stadiums in European club rugby. The original ground hosted internationals from the early 20th century; the current 26,000-seat stadium opened in 2008 and dominates the western side of the city. Big match days — particularly Heineken Champions Cup ties on cold Saturday afternoons — give Limerick a noise and intensity that nothing else in the city year matches.
The stadium runs an excellent tour and museum that covers the history of Munster rugby, the 1978 All Blacks match, and the players who came out of the province. Even if you have no interest in rugby, the tour gives you the dressing room, the pitch-side tunnel, and the trophy room; with kids it is one of the better visits in town. Reserve ahead in match week, when normal tours are suspended.