Origin of the Limericks
How old are Limericks and where did the limerick originate. Why are there so many Irish Limericks? What is the connection with Ireland? Limericks originated as far back as the 14th century and were extremely popular in both England and Ireland. A limerick is a poem and form of poetry which rhymes. They are simple and short and easy for even kids and children to write or compose.
English and Irish Limericks
The term Limerick originates in Ireland - its name is taken from the Irish County of Limerick in Ireland. The Irish are well known for their love of poems and poetry and the Irish Bards played an important part in Irish history. Stories of people and valiant deeds were repeated to hundreds of people using poems and poetry which were passed on from one Irish Bard to the next by word of mouth. The tradition and origins of different types of poems and poetry therefore date back to the time when the majority of people were unable to read or write. The simplicity of the limerick made them easy to write and easy to remember which has led to their popularity in both the English and Irish culture. Limericks were often composed in taverns, bars and pubs in both England and Ireland - which explains why some limericks are rude, dirty or bawdy in nature! The people who composed this type of poem and poetry were often drunk!
Definition of a Limerick
What is a Limerick? The definition of a limerick is as follows: A limerick is a short poem or piece of poetry consisting of 5 lines. A limerick is written in anapestic or amphibrachic meter with a rhyme scheme of aabba - the letters indicate which lines rhyme.
Funny Limericks
Everyone laughs at limerick poems and poetry. They are great fun and amuse all ages. One of our favorite funny limerick examples are as follows: There was a young lady named Perkins,
Who had a great fondness for gherkins;
She went to a tea
And ate twenty-three,
Which affected her internal workin's! Irish Limericks
The Irish limerick is one of the most famous and suited to the well known and much loved Irish sense of humour. Want to know more about St Patricks day? Lots of interesting information and Fun Facts about St Patricks Day There was a young girl from New York,
Whose ancestors all came from Cork,
Who possessed an idea
That in order to be queer
She had to eat soup with a fork! Kids Limericks
Kids limericks are great fun and an easy way to get kids interested in poems and poetry. Because limericks are simple and short it is easy for kids and children to learn how to write limericks. I'd rather have fingers than toes,
I'd rather have ears than a nose
And as for my hair
I'm glad it's all there,
I'll be awfully sad when it goes! Famous Limericks
The most famous limericks of all are written by the English Poet Edward Lear. His famous limerick entitled "There once was a man from Nantucket" has been used for the basis of many other limerick poems. There was a young person of Bantry,
Who frequently slept in the pantry;
When disturbed by the mice
She appeased them with rice,
That judicious young person of Bantry. | 
