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International Rugby Experience on O’Connell St., Limerick city held a media tour on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Picture: Krzysztof Luszczki/ilovelimerick International Rugby Experience on O’Connell St., Limerick city held a media tour on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Picture: Krzysztof Luszczki/ilovelimerick

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International Rugby Experience closes its doors for the final time

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International Rugby Experience Closes its Doors for the Final Time

The International Rugby Experience closes its doors for a final time since opening in May, 2023

International Rugby Experience Launch
The ribbon-cutting for the International Rugby Experience, as the state-of-the-art, interactive visitor attraction launched in Limerick. Photo by Don Moloney

That International Rugby Experience (IRE) has closed its doors for the final time, today, 23rd December 2024 having opened in May, 2023 and attracting more than 60,000 visitors to the city centre space.

Speaking about the closure, representatives said, “From the outset, our goal was to help support Limerick city by gifting the building to the people of Limerick. Unfortunately, this has not been realised.”

The group took the opportunity to show appreciation for the team who helped the project over the last year and a half, they said, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every team member who worked tirelessly on growing all aspects of the business, and to the tens of thousands of visitors who walked through its doors—kicking with Jonny Wilkinson, passing a ball with Faf de Klerk, and enjoying the many other exciting activities this state-of-the-art facility had to offer.


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“The IRE thanks Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood for their dedication to the project along with the many local traders and organisations for their invaluable support since the beginning.

The IRE has brought over 60,000 people to Limerick city since opening in May 2023, including overseas visitors from 31 countries. Over 7,000 people came to visit Santa’s Secret Workshop, significantly adding to the “Christmas in Limerick” atmosphere and frequenting local cafes, shops and restaurants during their visit. We have hosted over 70 community and corporate events across our unique spaces.

Over the past 18 months, the IRE has contributed €9 million to the local economy.

They said, “We worked with over 200 suppliers locally and regionally, including artisan crafts producers who supplied our store, as well as photographers, printers, media outlets and facilities management companies, amongst many others.”

Last year, the International Rugby Experience was voted the nation’s favourite building in the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) Public Choice Award.

Closing their statement, the group said, “In our short time in the heart of Limerick, it has been our great pleasure to contribute to the city and its communities.”

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Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.