The Fireplace site on King’s Island has received funding of €6.5m through THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival scheme.
The site, at the corner of Nicholas Street and Saint Peter’s Street, contains the remains of a medieval house, including parts of a medieval stone fireplace.
The funding will enable the creation of a design and innovation hub, establishing a new centre for creativity, learning, and cultural engagement in conjunction with the Forge Design Factory and the Limerick School of Art and Design.
The funding now clears the way for the development of the site that has been seen as a strategic access point to Limerick city’s most historic area.
Limerick City and County Council began a public consultation process for the development of the new space on the site earlier this year.
This exciting project will feature artist studios, workspaces, a retail area, an exhibition space, and a café/restaurant with an associated outdoor area adjoining St. Peter Street.
The Thrive funding aims to support the renovation, refurbishment, and adaptation of vacant and derelict heritage buildings in town centres, with allocations ranging from €2 million to €7 million.
The Fireplace site holds immense historical and cultural importance as it represents one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of the City, with origins tracing back to the Viking Age.
Nicholas Street, in particular, was a central thoroughfare during the medieval period, connecting St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the walled City beyond.
According to architects for the project, The Fireplace site is ’emblematic of the evolution of Limerick’s urban fabric, capturing visible layers of development from the late medieval period to the present day’.
“Its location on Nicholas Street positions it as a key anchor in the City’s heritage corridor, connecting major landmarks and serving as a focal point for cultural and economic activity within the Medieval Quarter. In preserving the existing silhouette of the medieval house and integrating contemporary uses, the redevelopment of the Fireplace site offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Limerick’s historical legacy while driving future growth and engagement in the area”, the statement says.
Forge Design Factory is part of a network of 40 global design factories and the first of its kind in Ireland. Forge Design Factory (FDF) is an interdisciplinary design and learning hub uniting students, teachers, researchers, and industry.
Forge Design Factory is an initiative developed through the collaboration and support of the following Partners:
- Technological University of the Shannon, Midlands Midwest
- University of Limerick
- Limerick City & County Council
- Clare County Council
- Tipperary County Council
- Irish Centre for Business Excellence
Their vision is to establish a design factory that fosters a dynamic ecosystem of designers, industry partners, and stakeholders in the Midlands and Midwest to create impactful solutions that solve real-world problems.
Their aim is to develop long-term design partnerships that drive innovation and growth for all parties. We believe that by collaborating with industry partners, we can develop an innovative, vibrant design ecosystem in the Midlands Midwest of Ireland
