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Thursday 9th April 2026 Mayor John Moran was in Deebert House Hotel today in Kilmallock to formally appoint the Design Team for the development of the Merchants House site. The integrated Design Team will be led by Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens, supported by Grade I Conservation Architect John Hegerty of Fourem Architects and a team of consultants including PUNCH consulting and Delap and Waller Consulting Engineers, with Tom McNamara and Partners providing Quantity Surveying services. The team will work closely with Limerick City and County Council’s Rural Development Team in the development of the site. The project is being funded under Category 2 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The Design Team will progress the project through the initial Preliminary Design phase, before preparing an application for planning consent, with the intention of making the project ‘shovel ready’ later in 2027. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council, Mayor John Moran, Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens and Gregory Conway - Cathaoirleach Municipal District of Cappamore-Kilmallock sign contracts. Picture: Keith Wiseman Thursday 9th April 2026 Mayor John Moran was in Deebert House Hotel today in Kilmallock to formally appoint the Design Team for the development of the Merchants House site. The integrated Design Team will be led by Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens, supported by Grade I Conservation Architect John Hegerty of Fourem Architects and a team of consultants including PUNCH consulting and Delap and Waller Consulting Engineers, with Tom McNamara and Partners providing Quantity Surveying services. The team will work closely with Limerick City and County Council’s Rural Development Team in the development of the site. The project is being funded under Category 2 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The Design Team will progress the project through the initial Preliminary Design phase, before preparing an application for planning consent, with the intention of making the project ‘shovel ready’ later in 2027. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council, Mayor John Moran, Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens and Gregory Conway - Cathaoirleach Municipal District of Cappamore-Kilmallock sign contracts. Picture: Keith Wiseman

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Kilmallock’s Medieval Merchant’s House redevelopment project reaches milestone

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Kilmallock’s Medieval Merchant House redevelopment reaches milestone. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council, Mayor John Moran, Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens and Gregory Conway – Cathaoirleach Municipal District of Cappamore-Kilmallock sign contracts. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Contracts signed for the Design Team to lead the redevelopment of Kilmallock’s Medieval Merchant House mark a milestone in the project

Kilmallock’s Medieval Merchant’s House redevelopment project reaches milestone
Dating back to the 16th century, the Merchant House is a building of considerable national interest. Pic via OPW

Limerick City and County Council has announced that contracts have been formally signed for the appointment of an integrated design team to lead the redevelopment of the historic Merchant’s House in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, marking a significant milestone in the conservation and revitalisation of an important medieval urban site.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Merchant’s House is a building of considerable national interest. Kilmallock itself was one of Ireland’s principal medieval towns, playing a central role in the country’s urban and commercial life during that period. The redevelopment project aims to preserve this heritage while unlocking its potential as a cultural and community asset.

The formal contract signing took place at Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock, attended by representatives of Limerick City and County Council and key project stakeholders.


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The appointed integrated design team will be led by Louise Cotter of Architects Cotter and Naessens. The team includes Grade I Conservation Architect John Hegarty of Fourem Architects, alongside PUNCH Consulting Engineers, Delap and Waller Consulting Engineers, and Tom McNamara and Partners as Quantity Surveyors.

The design team will work in close partnership with Limerick City and County Council’s Rural Development Team. The project is funded under Category 2 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

At the contract signing, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran welcomed the regeneration of this historic structure, saying:

“I promised the Kilmallock community in 2024 to do all I could to get movement on this project. I allocated €300,000 from the Mayoral Fund and I’m delighted to see this has helped to move this along. This project represents a powerful vision for Kilmallock’s future, rooted its past. The Merchant’s House is a remarkable piece of our shared heritage, and its redevelopment will breathe new life into the town and create opportunities for community use, and economic growth.”

Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Cappamore – Kilmallock, Cllr Gregory Conway spoke of the projects potential local impact, saying:

“This is a very welcome development for Kilmallock and the surrounding area. The Merchant’s House holds huge local significance, and its restoration will enhance the character of the town while creating a valuable resource for the community and visitors alike. It’s encouraging to see this project moving forward.”

Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly commented on the strong partnership helping to deliver this project, saying:

“The appointment of this highly experienced design team marks a key step forward in delivering a complex and ambitious heritage project. Through strong collaboration with our national partners and local stakeholders, we are ensuring that this development is both technically robust and aligned with the long-term regeneration strategy for Kilmallock and the wider region.”

The design team will now progress the project through the Preliminary Design stage, followed by the preparation of an application for planning consent, with the intention of making the project ‘shovel ready’ in 2027.

Working closely with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the Office of Public Works, the National Monuments Service and local stakeholders, this project showcases the collaborative approach of Limerick City and County Council in the delivery of key projects across the region.

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