Limerick is where the Shannon, Ireland's Longest river, meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is a pleasnt, largely rural county with prosperous farms centered around the market towns of Askeaton, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Raheen and Rathkeale. The city of Limerick is Ireland's third largest and has an ancient history as a port and as the site of the final battle of the Williamite wars whose outcome was central to modern Irish history. Popular Limerick surnames include Ahern, Bourke, Cussen, Hayes, O'Brien, O'Connor, O'Donnell, O'Shaughnessy, McEnery, McNamara, Madigan, Murphy, Ryan, Walsh, and Woulfe. Many of its people have emigrated, particularly in the aftermath of the Great Famine. Its population dwindled from 330,00 before the Famine to 158,000 in 1891. This updated edition sets out the records available, where they can be obtained and how to use each to best effect. It includes numerous illustrations.