Limerick’s most interesting buildings welcome the public

Limerick’s rich architectural history will be celebrated later this month when some of the city’s most interesting and unexplored buildings will throw open their doors to the public.

From October 19th-21st the inaugural ‘Open House Limerick’ will allow people to visit buildings usually off limits to the public such as; a 220 year old terraced house on Lower Hartstonge Street, an 1840s city centre terraced house extension, renovated and modernised on Wolfetone Street and contemporary structures in Mary Immaculate College such as An Tailteann, Sports Centre and Tara containing the new ‘Lime Tree Theatre’. On Sunday, October 21st, the University of Limerick will open up Plassey House and the newly built Quigley Residence for public viewing.

Open House Limerick is delivered in partnership with the Irish Architecture Foundation, The Architects Departments of Limerick City County Councils and Limerick Arts Office and will feature over 30 buildings inviting visitors to explore the architecture of their city.

Other buildings involved include 1 & 2 John’s Square, The Georgian House, Pery Square and a number of properties in the county such as Station House in Patrickswell, Fanningstown Castle, Adare and Ballinvirick House, Askeaton. A full programme is to be announced on 8th October.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The weekend of building visits, architectural walks and much more is completely free and is already established in London, Dublin and Galway.

Seamus Hanrahan, Open House Limerick, is hoping the inaugural event will be a big success. “This is a terrific concept and is sure to be a great weekend in Limerick,” he said. “It is an event that anyone can enjoy; you don’t need to be an expert to appreciate impressive architecture and it’s all around us. Limerick is delighted to be involved in such an interesting project and we definitely have a wide selection of wonderful buildings to choose from and explore,” he said.

The Limerick Volunteer Centre will be assisting the event by training volunteers to help maintain the premises during the visits.

Salena Grace, Limerick Volunteer Centre, said the volunteers are looking forward to getting involved with the event.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Open House Festival to Limerick this October for the first time. We are excited about the innovative volunteering opportunities that Open House Limerick will bring and we are really looking forward to helping the people of Limerick explore the many treasures that are available to us in this city.”

Gillian McCarthy, Project Coordinator of Open House Limerick said: “This event has something for everyone, we have Junior Open House taking place in the Hunt Museum and Limerick City Gallery of Art, walking tours of the Irish Estates and a James Pain Architect tour. We also have an ‘Archi cycle’ for all the family from Lock Quay Mills to the Pavillion Restaurant at the University of Limerick on Sunday, 21st October. All of our events are free and everyone is welcome.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or getting involved please email [email protected] or call 061 415584.

Visit www.openhouselimerick.e for regular programme updates.