New exhibition celebrates legacy of The Earls of Limerick

Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins, Edmund Pery, 7th Earl of Limerick, Ciara McCaffrey, University Librarian and Director and David O’Brien, CEO of the Limerick Civic Trust. Photo: Alan Place.
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A NEW exhibition celebrating the legacy of The Earls of Limerick delves into the rich history of one of Ireland’s most prominent aristocratic families.

And it is now available to view at the University of Limerick (UL) following its launch at the Glucksman Library by UL president Professor Shane Kilcommins.

The archival collection focuses on the Pery family, with the exhibition highlighting several notable items from the Limerick Papers, an archival collection spanning nearly 500 years.

Professor Shane Kilcommins said the “landmark initiative and exhibition represent a profound moment in the cultural life of Limerick and The Earls of Limerick and the Pery Family”.

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“The collection, with notable items from the Limerick Papers, that now becomes part of the academic life of our university and our region are not merely historical documents but living threads in the tapestry of our shared heritage, offering unparalleled insight into the civic, architectural, and social evolution of Limerick across centuries.”

The collection was originally placed in the care of the Limerick Civic Trust, who in 2018 collaborated with the Glucksman Library to archive and digitise the collection.

It offers a detailed glimpse into the lives and influence of the Pery family and their role in shaping Limerick.

From the early days of Edmond Sexton, a 16th-century mayor of Limerick, to the modern-day descendants of the family, the archive captures the enduring legacy of the Perys in Limerick and beyond.

The collection is available for the 2025/26 academic year at the UL Glucksman Library.