There are plans to give a medieval site in Limerick city a new lease of life.
The Council have commenced plans for a Part 8 development of this site and a number of adjacent buildings on Nicholas Street in the city.
Included in the plans is The Fireplace Site which contains the remains of a medieval house, including a medieval stone fireplace.
It’s hoped to develop a new Design and Innovation Hub at Numbers 35 – 39 Nicholas Street – this will include artist studios, workspaces, retail area, exhibition space and café/restaurant with an outdoor area adjoining St. Peter Street.
A new part two-storey, part single-storey building will be developed incorporating the upstanding walls of the medieval house.
The plans for the project were first revealed at a meeting of Metro Councillors in December.
They showed the original fireplace and walls of the site incorporated into a new design, which will include space for artists and retail.
The Council are hopeful that €7 million worth of funding will be secured through the competitive THRIVE scheme with Strand one funding already secured.
The THRIVE scheme offers local authorities up to €7m to renovate disused heritage buildings in cities, regional growth centres and key towns. The initiative has the potential to transform town centres across the regions supporting the delivery of the Government’s Town Centre First Policy
Nicholas Street was once the main street of the walled city of Limerick.
Should plans be approved for this project it will seen as a welcome boost for a street that has suffered from numerous business closures over recent years. In 2022 the well-known Bakehouse 22 and Tracey’s shop closed after 72 years of business.
In recent years a similar project was developed by the Council in a building, which has now become home to Treaty City Brewery.
