Irish Architecture Foundation continues ‘New Life for Old Buildings’ series in Limerick

The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) continues its ‘New Life for Old Buildings’ series in Limerick throughout 2024, in partnership with the Hunt Museum. 

This ‘New Life for Old Buildings’ programme is part of The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF)’s placemaking programme, Reimagine, and aims to inspire and support the people of Limerick in transforming vacant properties into home

With walking tours, talks, specialist clinics, and site visits, the ‘New Life Old Buildings’ series hopes to give people the knowledge and skills needed to give old buildings across Limerick and the rest of Ireland a new lease of life by building a network of like-minded people supporting Ireland’s architectural heritage.

The series kicked off on Friday, September 20, with local conservation architect and expert, Cáit ní Cheallacháin, leading a tour of Georgian Limerick. This was followed by an official launch and panel discussion at the International Rugby Experience featuring Mayor John Moran, LCCC Climate Coordinator, Kieran Reeves, Professor of Adaptive Re-use, Sally Stone, and Limerick-born photographer, Jamin Keogh. On Saturday September 21, participants were treated to a visit to two formerly vacant Georgian properties at different stages of conversion into homes.

October sees the series continue with events held on the 4-5 and 11-12 October at the Hunt Museum. 

4-5 October

New Life for Old Buildings 2024 – First Steps: No Finance, No Project

This weekend provides the opportunity to engage with essential financial and practical guidance and inspiration for those beginning their journey of breathing new life into old buildings. This is followed by our Saturday morning site visits to meet first-hand with the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes. These visits offer a rare opportunity to meet homeowners and experts who have successfully transformed, or are transforming, vacant properties into vibrant living spaces.

1. ‘Waste of Space: Vacant Limerick’, Friday 4 October, 17:30-19:00 (free)

Explore Limerick’s vacant buildings with local historian Dr Paul O’Brien, through a unique tour of the potential of under-utilised spaces in the city. Meeting and finishing at the Hunt Museum. Register for the Walking Tour.

2.  Specialist Clinics Friday 4 October, 17:30-19:00, Hunt Museum (free)

Book in for informal chats and advice sessions with: 1. The Living City Initiative (represented by Grainne McMahon) 2. Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (represented by Nick Taaffe) 3. Local Authority Purchase and Renovations Loan (represented by Seamus Monaghan) 4. Limerick & District Credit Union (represented by Clodagh Hughes) 5. Limerick Vacancy and Grant Expert William Duffy from Derelict Limerick. Register for the Specialist Clinics.

3. Presentations, Friday 4 October, 19:00-20:15, The Captain’s Room, Hunt Museum (free)

Chaired by Dr. Paul O’Brien this series of talks looks at challenges and opportunities at the early stages of projects. This includes presentations from chartered quantity surveyor and Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland Nick Taaffe and Limerick City and County Council senior architect Gráinne McMahon from the Living City Initiative. Followed by complimentary Drinks Reception and Networking. Register for the Presentations.

4. Site Visits, Saturday 5 October, 10:00-12:00 (€10)

Join us for site visits where we’ll meet first-hand the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes. Register for the Site Visits.

Following on from a sold out Culture Night launch, we are delighted to announce bookings are now open for New Life for Old Building in Limerick – First Steps: No Finance, No Project on 4-5 October.
Book now: https://t.co/47k2kvsMrh pic.twitter.com/swmTqiq1HZ— Irish Architecture Foundation (@IAFarchitecture) September 25, 2024

11-12 October

New Life for Old Buildings 2024 – Onsite Insight,

This weekend provides the opportunity to engage with essential financial and practical guidance and inspiration for those beginning their journey of breathing new life into old buildings. This is followed by our Saturday morning site visits to meet first-hand with the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes. These visits offer a rare opportunity to meet homeowners and experts who have successfully transformed, or are transforming, vacant properties into vibrant living spaces.

1. ‘Living Limerick’ Walking Tour, Friday 11 October, 17:30-19:00 (free)

Discover how upcoming developments and public projects are setting the stage for Limerick’s future.Register for the Walking Tour.

2.  Specialist Clinics Friday 11 October, 17:30-19:00, Hunt Museum (free)

Book in for informal chats and advice sessions with the Limerick Civic Trust, Common Knowledge, architects Michael Farrell & Caelan Bristow and local tradesmen. Register for the Specialist Clinics.

3. Presentations, Friday 11  October, 19:00-20:15, The Captain’s Room, Hunt Museum (free)

Presentations on advancing your ‘vacant property to vibrant home’ transformation with contributions from Common Knowledge and Design Goat’s Cian Corcoran who is currently renovating his own home and local architect Caelan Bristow specialised in adaptive and sustainable re-use. Register for the Presentations.

4. Site Visits, Saturday 12 October, 10:00-12:00 (€10)

Join us for our final site visits where we’ll meet first-hand the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes.Register for the Site Visits.