New National Women’s History Museum proposed for former International Rugby Experience building

New National Women’s History Museum proposed for former International Rugby Experience building. Pictured above from left to right are guests at the opening of the International Rugby Experience in 2023. Picture: Don Moloney. the International Rugby Experience building. Jp McManus.

Government has been updated on proposals to accept the former International Rugby Experience building for a branch of National Museum of Ireland dedicated to women’s history

Minister Patrick O’Donovan has announced proposals for the former International Rugby Experience building to become a new branch of the National Museum of Ireland to host a permanent museum dedicated to Women’s stories.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport announced he had updated the Government on proposals to accept the home of the former International Rugby Experience under the State Property Act 1954.

The intention is for the building to become a new regional branch of the National Museum of Ireland, and it would host a permanent exhibition telling the stories of women in Ireland, following the recommendation of the recently published report of the Women’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories.

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Minister O’Donovan expressed his great appreciation and gratitude to the property owners, the McManus Family, for enabling this opportunity. Before the closure of the International Rugby Experience, the McManus family offered the building to Limerick City and County Council, including a €1.2 million payment to aid in the transition.

It is believed the opportunity for Government ownership is a chance to enhance the regional balance across the National Cultural Institutions and provide a new quality cultural offering in Limerick and the Mid-West.

It is hoped the addition of the museum dedicated to Women’s stories and history will complement existing cultural, museum and community amenities. Final acquisition will require completion of a due diligence process in the normal way.

Minister O’Donovan thanked the McManus family, and noted the former International Rugby Experience venue “presents a wonderful opportunity to enhance the cultural footprint in Limerick and the wider Mid-West”.

He said, “It offers great potential to amplify the representation of women’s voices and lived experiences, in all their diversity, and with a special focus on under-represented and marginalised communities.

“It is a significant step in expanding the reach of our national cultural institutions beyond the Capital, It will join the Crawford Gallery in Cork, now undergoing a major redevelopment project, and the Museum of Country Living in Co Mayo as a new regional centre. This is very much in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that our national cultural institutions reach right across the country.

“Furthermore, I believe that a new museum dedicated to women’s stories would respond very meaningfully to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories.”

The Government noted the Minister’s plans to engage fully with the McManus Family, the Board and Management of the National Museum, the Office of Public Works, and other key stakeholders to realise this exciting proposal and to explore the expansion of the galleries of the National Museum of Ireland and develop a permanent women’s museum in Limerick.

This would enable the State to respond appropriately to a key recommendation in the report of the Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories – offering a permanent, dedicated women’s museum, with space for exhibitions and programming to enhance women’s stories and voices, in all their diversity, as well as potentially providing for advocacy, research, education and outreach.  The site could also provide space for other exhibitions, including temporary exhibitions, under the National Museum of Ireland.

The Minister added, “I am conscious that there is a detailed process to undertake to realise this proposal, and I know that developing any new museum is a sensitive and complex process. There are many factors to be considered, which will take time to fully work through.  I am committed to working collaboratively with all involved to fully explore the potential and feasibility of this and I welcome the support of my Government colleagues as I and my Department work through this process.”

This multi-award-winning building, completed in 2023, was designed by Niall McLaughlin, this year’s RIBA Royal Gold medal winner and previous winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize for architectural excellence.