The Irish Times

Limerick, like Galway (and Dublin, of course), is now surrounded by an ever-widening commuter belt. Recent sprawl has been prompted by a "We don't want to live in Limerick" factor, particularly among the more well-heeled. The chocolate-box village of Adare may look charmingly unspoilt, with no noticeable ribbon of development along its main route, the N21. But the minor roads in every direction are littered with houses, most no doubt owned by commuters who drive into Limerick every day. The same is true throughout south-east Co Clare, with one-off houses spreading along some minor country roads around Cratloe, Meelick and other villages. Cratloe, a popular place for weddings because of its white-walled barn church, even has a suburban estate tacked on to it.