View source for Architecture of Limerick

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[[File:John Castle Limerick-seabhcan.jpg|thumb|250px|King John's Castle sits on the southern bank of the [[River Shannon]]. Alongside is Thomond Bridge.]]

As with other cities in Ireland, [[Limerick]] has a history of great architecture.{{original research inline|date=September 2024}} A 1574 document, prepared for the Spanish ambassador, describes some of the wealth and architecture in the city:
:"Limerick is stronger and more beautiful than all the other cities of Ireland, well walled with stout walls of hewn marble... There is no entrance except by stone bridges, one of the two of which has 14 arches, and the other 8 ... for the most part the houses are of square stone of black marble and built in the form of towers and fortresses."
Present-day Limerick has perhaps not as extensive historical architecture as other Irish cities,{{original research inline|date=September 2024}} though some notable examples remain, such as the 800-year-old [[St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St. Mary's Cathedral]] and [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]].

==Ecclesiastical architecture==
;St. Mary's Cathedral
[[St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St Mary's Cathedral]] is the older of Limerick's two cathedrals and dates from the 12th century. The cathedral has elements of both Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture with [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] arches and doorways and [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] windows. The plan and elevation of the cathedral show signs of the design being an altered over the years. The original plan of the church was in the form of a Latin cross. Additions were made to the cathedral during the episcopate of Stephen Wall, Bishop of Limerick. The Romanesque doorway on the west side is an impressive carving of chevrons and patterns. Like many medieval churches in Ireland, the building has been heavily restored by the Victorians. The cathedral plays a dominant role in this medieval area within Limerick City showing the amalgamation of the architectural styles of Romanesque and Gothic.<ref>{{Cite web|last=FUSIO|title=Saint Mary's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Nicholas Street, Athlunkard Street, LIMERICK MUNICIPAL BOROUGH, Limerick, LIMERICK|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21508014/saint-marys-church-of-ireland-cathedral-nicholas-street-athlunkard-street-limerick-municipal-borough-limerick-limerick|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Buildings of Ireland|language=en-GB|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721195358/https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21508014/saint-marys-church-of-ireland-cathedral-nicholas-street-athlunkard-street-limerick-municipal-borough-limerick-limerick|url-status=live}}</ref> The tower of St. Mary's Cathedral was added in the 14th century, and it rises to 120 feet

;St. John's Cathedral
[[File:LimerickRCCathedral.jpg|thumb|St John's Cathedral]]
The main body of [[St John's Cathedral, Limerick|St. John's Cathedral]] was designed by English architect [[Philip Charles Hardwick]], and constructed between 1856 and 1861. It has the tallest [[spire]] in Ireland at 94m (a later addition, designed by M.A. Hennessy and completed in 1883). The exterior of St. John's was completely refurbished in 2004, with new roofing and repointing of all stonework. The cathedral today cuts an imposing presence on an otherwise undeveloped side of the city centre. An important historical Protestant church sits near the cathedral also, and although in need of some repair, is now in use today by Dance Limerick.

;St. Munchin's Church, Englishtown
The church was constructed by architect James Pain in 1837 replacing an earlier structure. The church is Gothic in design.

;St. John's Church, Irishtown
Constructed in 1851 by architect Joseph Welland the church replaced an earlier dating from the 11th century.  This important historic site is adjacent to the former John's Gate and the town walls where the existing Citadel is located and incorporated within [[St. John's Hospital, Limerick|St. John's Hospital]]. The church has [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque]] features.

;Franciscan Church, Henry Street
Designed by William Corbett, the church is a fine example of classical architecture with an imposing portico in a similar fashion to the GPO in O'Connell Street, Dublin and the Bank of Ireland in College Green. The church dates from 1826.

;Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent
Designed by William Corbett, the church dates from 1832. Built in the classical style the facade is a centrepiece to The Crescent area of [[Newtown Pery, Limerick|Georgian Limerick]]. The very fine classical interior, with a wealth of quality materials and craftsmanship, adds to the overall architectural importance of this ecclesiastical site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI&regno=21517113|title=Church of the Sacred Heart, the Crescent, LIMERICK MUNICIPAL BOROUGH, Limerick, LIMERICK|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606193116/http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI&regno=21517113|url-status=live}}</ref>

;St Saviour's Church (Dominicans)
The existing church in Glentworth Street was built in 1815, under the leadership of Fr Joseph Harrigan on land donated by Edward Henry, the Earl of Limerick. It replaced a church on Fish Lane. In 1973 it was elevated to a parish church. It as renjuvated in the 1860s by the architect John Wallace. The priory was built in 1943.

==Medieval Limerick==
[[Image:LimerickCICathedral.jpg|thumb|225px|St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick]]
The [[medieval]] city of Limerick is largely concentrated on the southern section of [[King's Island, Limerick|Kings Island]] known as Englishtown and south of the Abbey river in an area known as Irishtown, just to the north of the present day city center. The island contains some of Limerick's main attractions including [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's Castle]] which was completed in around 1200. The walls, towers and fortifications remain today. The remains of a Viking settlement was also uncovered during the construction of the visitor centre at the site. [[St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick|St. Mary's Cathedral]] was founded in 1168 and is recorded as the oldest building in Limerick. It was built on an earlier castle belonging to the King of Munster. Nicholas street and Mary Street the medieval center of Limerick contained many examples of medieval buildings including tall gabled houses in the Flemish or Dutch fashion. Unfortunately, very little, if any of this streetscape remains today. Following the development of Newtown Pery this area of the city went into decline.<ref name=topo>A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland pg505</ref> Today both the Englishtown and Irishtown areas remain neglected and dilapidated in appearance.

Castle Lane beside King Johns Castle includes a reconstruction of some medieval buildings including a granary, labourers cottage, and gabled houses. The development is mainly for tourism purposes.

==Georgian architecture==
[[File:Sr Maigh Eala.jpg|225px|thumb|Georgian Period Townhouses on Mallow Street in the city centre]]
Much [[Georgian architecture]] was evident in the city from about the 1800s onwards. Although some has since been demolished, much of the city centre area is built in the Georgian fashion. John's Square, in front of St. John's Cathedral, towards the city centre, is an example of this. Stone-faced Georgian offices and townhouses were built in a planned fashion around this square.  The development of Georgian Limerick was driven by [[Edmund Sexton Pery]], speaker of the Irish House of Commons, and his name has been retained in the Georgian city centre; [[Newtown Pery, Limerick|Newtown Pery]]. This development extended the city south of the Abbey river and the ancient medieval city. During this time most of the walls of the medieval city were torn down to facilitate the expansion of the city. The new city, Newtown Pery was built completely in Georgian style with long wide and elegant streets in [[grid plan]] design with [[O'Connell Street, Limerick|O'Connell Street]] (previously Georges street) as its centre. The new Georgian town became the new economic and cultural centre of Limerick as the medieval city along with its main street, Nicholas street, fell largely into decline. Much of the Georgian architecture is still largely intact with the Crescent area of O' Connell street and Pery Square being among some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Ireland. One publicly accessible example of Georgian architecture is the [[The People's Museum of Limerick|People's Museum of Limerick]] at [[Pery Square]]. However much of the area is now in a neglected or decaying state while much of the more ornate styles around the retail areas of O' Connell street, William street and Sarsfield street has been lost and replaced with more modern styles of architecture.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Hunt Museum.jpg|thumb|The [[Hunt Museum]]]]
The [[Hunt Museum]] is based in the historic 18th-century former Custom House. The museum was established to house a collection of approximately 2,000 works of art and antiquities formed by [[John Hunt (antiquarian)|John and Gertrude Hunt]] during their lifetimes.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Victorian and Edwardian architecture==
From the 19th century much [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] and [[Edwardian architecture]] was evident in Limerick. Unified terraces, detached or semi detached dwellings were built by the middle classes on roads protruding from the city centre as can be seen today in O' Connell Avenue, South and North Circular Roads, Ennis Road, Shelbourne Road and Mulgrave Street.<ref name="buildingsofireland.ie">{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/highlights.jsp?county=LI&list=true|title=Buildings of Ireland: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage|access-date=10 January 2011|archive-date=10 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510220327/http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/highlights.jsp?county=LI&list=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Typical features of this style of architecture in Limerick include arched or bay windows with brick detailing around doorways and elaborate railings enclosing long front gardens. Features of buildings dating from the Edwardian period also include balconies, porched and timbered gables, and horizontal mullioned windows.<ref name="buildingsofireland.ie"/>

==20th century==
[[File:Cill Inion Leinn.jpg|left|thumb|225px|Council housing in Limerick developed from the 1940s onwards. Today Council housing comprises about 40% of housing within the city boundary (excl suburbs.]]
From the period of Irish Independence right up to the 1960s there was very little development in Limerick. Housing had become a major problem as many of the city's poorer residents lived in overcrowded slums, streets and laneways in the oldest parts of the city. Life in these parts of the city in the early 20th century are perhaps best described in the worldwide best seller ''Angelas Ashes'' written by [[Frank McCourt]]. During the 1960s Limerick Corporation began to clear the slums and laneways by relocating families to new large [[council estates]] on the edge of the city. The estates were built primarily in [[Moyross]], [[Southill, Limerick|Southill]], the Island Field (St. Marys Park) and Ballinacurra Weston. Initially seen to be a success these estates began to experience high levels of disadvantage, unemployment, poverty and crime as was replicated in other parts of Ireland such as [[Ballymun]]. However, since the early 21st century, the inner-city areas have experienced regeneration and revitalisation with funding and development from the [[Limerick City and County Council|City and County Council]], as well as the [[Government of Ireland|Government]]. In the early 1990s the city developed Arthur's Quay Park on the site of a surface car park as part of a plan for a pedestrian route along the waterfront. The park, designed by Murray Ó Laoire Architects, incorporated a tourist information office and received the [[RIAI Triennial Gold Medal]] for 1989–1991.<ref>https://www.neverlookback.eva.ie/locations/former-tourist-office-arthurs-quay?origin=serp_auto</ref>

The city also expanded during this time with much development outside the city boundary creating new city suburbs. The most notable development is the [[University of Limerick]] in the suburb of [[Castletroy]] towards the eastern end of the city. UL is the location of the University Concert Hall, a 1000-seat venue on the university campus which is suitable for holding a wide variety of events. The UL arena, which opened in 2002 is Ireland's largest indoor complex. It consists of the National 50m Swimming Pool which is the only water facility in Ireland which has the approval of FINA, the international swimming body, and is the first in the country to be built to Olympic standards. The Arena's Indoor Sports Hall comprises 3,600 square metres laid out with four wood-sprung courts, catering for a variety of sports, a sprint track, an international 400m athletics track, and a 200m three-lane suspended jogging track. The facility also has a state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training centre, a weight-training room, team rooms, an aerobics studio and classroom areas. The Arena is often used by the Munster rugby team.  On the southside of the city the [[Crescent Shopping Centre]] the largest shopping centre in Ireland outside Dublin was built in the suburb of [[Dooradoyle]]. It has a retail space of 100,000m squared with over 90 shops.

By the end of the 20th century and early 21st century Limerick's trend towards suburbanisation continued which has led to many concerns of the development of the city during this time, particularly in relation to the amount of out-of-town retail developments which has reduced footfall on city centre streets. Since the early 2010s, significant efforts have been made to increase footfall in the city centre and to reduce ongoing surburbanisation, with streets seeing facelifts, community events arranged by the council and the restricted development of retail outside of the city centre and city boundaries. A notable example is the Crescent S.C.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=David |date=2020-10-20 |title=New plan targets Limerick shopping centre – no new floorspace will be allowed at the Crescent |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/582611/new-plan-targets-limerick-shopping-centre-no-new-floorspace-will-be-allowed-at-the-crescent.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=limerickleader.ie |language=en}}</ref>

==Bridges==

As a city situated on a river (the [[River Shannon|Shannon]]), and at a crossing point, Limerick's bridges are of vital importance to the region. They connect the northern bank of the river, and [[County Clare]], to the southern bank and [[County Limerick]]. Apart from forming part of the Limerick to [[Galway]] route, the crossings are important today in connecting [[Shannon Airport]] to the city and beyond.

===Thomond Bridge===
[[File:Limerick - Thomond Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 331738.jpg|thumb|Thomond Bridge]]
The earliest bridge, [[Thomond Bridge]], was built near a [[ford (river)|fording point]]. It was the scene of a failed defending of the city during the [[Siege of Limerick (1691)|Siege of Limerick]]. At one ends sits the [[Treaty Stone]], which stands as a symbol of the signed treaty. The treaty itself was probably signed in a campaign tent. The current bridge was built in 1836, replacing the earlier bridge which was also alongside King John's Castle. The bridge now forms part of the [[R445 road|R445]] (formerly [[N7 road (Ireland)|N7]]), carrying traffic on the ''Northern Relief Road''.

===Sarsfield Bridge===
The second of Limerick's River Shannon crossings is now called Sarsfield Bridge, to commemorate [[Patrick Sarsfield]], the Earl of Lucan, who is renowned in Limerick for his role in the [[Williamite War]] and the 1691 siege and [[Treaty of Limerick]] in particular. The bridge was opened as Wellesley Bridge on 5 August 1835, following 11 years of construction. It was designed by the Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo and based on the [[Pont de Neuilly]] in Paris. It was a particularly important development for the city as it allowed expansion to the northern shore of the river. The bridge itself consists of five large and elegant elliptical arches with an open balustrade, running from a man-made island, originally called Wellesley Pier but now known as Shannon Island, to the northern shore, and a simple flat, swivel deck with iron lattice railings crossing a canal and road from the island to what was known as Brunswick Street, now Sarsfield Street. The swivel end is no longer functional, although some of its heavy machinery is still intact underneath the roadway. A lock system has replaced the swivel section to allow for the passage of smaller boats. Apart from this, the bridge has remained largely unchanged since it opened and still has its original lamp standards.<ref>Spellissy, S., ''The History of Limerick City'', Celtic Bookshop, Limerick, 1998. p.295.</ref>

[[Image:1916MonumentLimerick.jpg|right|thumb|1916 Monument on Sarsfield Bridge]]
Rowing clubhouses sit on Shannon Island at either side of the bridge. The Shannon Rowing Club was founded by Sir Peter Tait in 1866 and has a very elegant clubhouse on the northern side. Limerick Boat Club was founded in 1870 and has a simpler structure on the southern side.<ref>Spellissy, p.242</ref>

A [[1916 Memorial, Limerick|monument]] by sculptor [[James Power (sculptor)|James Power]] located on the bridge just above the Limerick Boat Club building, commemorates the [[1916 Rising]]. An earlier monument on this site was a statue of Viscount Fitzgibbon of [[Mountshannon House]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://limerickslife.com/crimean-war/|title=Limerick's Link to the Crimean War, Liam O'Brien • Guest Posts|date=24 September 2013 |access-date=30 July 2015|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610171136/http://limerickslife.com/crimean-war/|url-status=live}}</ref> who was killed in [[The Charge of the Light Brigade]] at [[Battle of Balaclava|Balaclava]] in 1854, flanked by two Russian cannon captured in the [[Crimean War]]. This statue was blown up by the [[Irish Republican Army]] in 1930.<ref>Spellissy, p.297.</ref> The [[Irish War of Independence|War of Independence]] memorial is located at the northern end of the bridge, commemorating two former mayors of Limerick ([[George Clancy (politician)|George Clancy]] and Michael O'Callaghan), among others, who were killed by the British in 1921. The quays on the northern shore are called Clancy Strand and O'Callaghan Strand in their honour.

===Shannon Bridge===
{{redirect|Shannon Bridge|the village in Co. Offaly|Shannonbridge}}
[[File:Shannon Bridge dedication plaque.jpg|thumb|Dedication plaque on Shannon Bridge]]
The Shannon Bridge is by far the newest River Shannon crossing in Limerick city centre. It was built in the late 1980s, officially opening on 30 May 1988, and connects to a relief road that passes through a bird sanctuary and runs around the north of the city. The bridge is still at times referred to as "The New Bridge", although the Abbey Bridge across the Abbey River is newer. For some time after its construction, the bridge was also termed "The Whistling Bridge" – the fencing on the bridge resonated with the winds coming up the Shannon Estuary, producing a shrill whistling sound. In extreme winds, the sound was quite deafening. Simple grills were added, and the effect was ceased.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://limerickslife.com/limerick-bridges/#shanb|title=Limerick Bridges • Limerick Places|date=19 July 2010 |access-date=19 March 2013|archive-date=27 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227095609/http://limerickslife.com/limerick-bridges/#shanb|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Baal's Bridge===
This is one of the oldest bridges in the city. The current structure was built in between 1830 and 1831 and is a single-arched hump-back limestone bridge. It replaced an earlier four-arched bridge that formed the only link before the mid-18th century crossing the Abbey river between Englishtown and Irishtown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI&regno=21513031|title=Baal's Bridge, Mary Street, Broad Street, LIMERICK MUNICIPAL BOROUGH, Limerick, LIMERICK|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193942/http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI&regno=21513031|url-status=live}}</ref> Early drawings show a row of houses on the bridge before it was replaced. During the construction of the new bridge in 1830 a significant archaeological object was found in the foundations of the old bridge. A brass [[Square and Compasses|Square]] of [[Freemasonry]] symbolism was found in the foundations with an inscription dating from 1507. Also inscribed on the square is the text ''I will strive to live with love and care upon the level, by the square''.<ref name="freemasonsnorthmunster.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasonsnorthmunster.com/Baal's_Bridge_Square.htm |title=Baal's Bridge Square |accessdate=2012-09-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205043740/http://www.freemasonsnorthmunster.com/Baal%27s_Bridge_Square.htm |archivedate=5 December 2012 }}</ref> It is reputed to be one of the earliest Masonic items to be found in the world.<ref name="freemasonsnorthmunster.com"/>

===Other bridges and the tunnel===
Another bridge at the northern end of [[King's Island, Limerick|King's Island]], connects to Corbally on the north of the city. This is a simpler bridge, further up the Shannon. The only other road bridge across the Shannon near the city is the "University Bridge", at the [[University of Limerick]]. Opened in 2004 by then [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]], this fashionable modern bridge connects the recently commenced north bank campus (includes student villages/accommodation and [[Health Science]] building) to the main southern campus, but it does not serve as a public crossing point as there is no north bank entrance from the Clare side.

The university is also home to one of the longest footbridges in Europe – [[The Living Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Arup wins award for Living Bridge |work=irishconstruction.com |url=http://www.irishconstruction.com/page/889 |accessdate=17 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402063431/http://www.irishconstruction.com/page/889 |archivedate=2 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=LM085 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering | publisher=University of Limerick | url=http://www.ul.ie/courses/LM085.shtml | accessdate=17 December 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918202404/http://www.ul.ie/courses/LM085.shtml | archive-date=18 September 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Another bridge is named after Dr. [[Sylvester O'Halloran]], which opened in 1987.

The [[Limerick Tunnel]] opened in July 2010 as part of the Limerick Southern Road. The tunnel forms a fourth river crossing of the Shannon. It is a 675m long,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.limericktunnel.com/index.html|title=Direct Route|access-date=15 October 2010|archive-date=14 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514083305/http://limericktunnel.com/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> twin-bore road tunnel underneath the [[River Shannon]] on the outskirts of the city.

==Architecture lost and found==
[[File:OConnell Street, Limerick (5587139288).jpg|thumb|O'Connell Street in the 1950s with uniform Georgian terraces showing old AIB and Royal George Hotel all since rebuilt in more modern design]]
Much of Limerick's architectural heritage has changed over the past few decades.{{when|date=September 2024}} The main streets in the city centre were originally fronted by mostly uniform Georgian [[townhouse]]s. Today,{{when|date=September 2024}} gaps and oddities may be found, with a fusion of modern-style and Georgian architecture in one building. The most recent{{when|date=September 2024}} example of a controversial demolition was the Cruises Hotel. This was the oldest hotel in Limerick; [[Daniel O'Connell]] himself stayed in it. It was demolished in 1990 to allow the construction of the [[Cruises Street, Limerick|Cruises Street]] pedestrian area, which opened in 1992. The site of what was Cruise's Hotel is now home to a [[Costa Coffee]] shop on the right-hand corner of the street entrance. Other examples of lost architecture include the facade of the old Cannock's Department Store (now [[Penney's]]), which was demolished in the 1960s and replaced with a more modern styled building. However, the landmark clock on top of the building remains, and was subject to a major restoration project in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabbitts |first=Nick |date=2024-03-25 |title='Penneys' from heaven as landmark Limerick clock being repaired |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1459336/penneys-from-heaven-as-landmark-limerick-clock-being-repaired.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=limerickleader.ie |language=en}}</ref> The facade of Todd's Department Store (now [[Brown Thomas]]) which was destroyed by a fire in the late 1950s has also been replaced with a more modern design.

Since the late 1990s, Ireland has had somewhat tougher development requirements.{{vague|date=September 2024}} This has resulted in an increasing number of Georgian and other historical buildings being refurbished rather than demolished.{{original research inline|date=September 2024}} Examples include the conversion of a historic bank to a [[pub]] and the conversion of old stone-built warehouses, with some Georgian townhouses changed to become up-market apartments. These refurbishments of Georgian townhouses include cleaned brickwork, replica railings outside sash windows with brass catches, and new replica street railings. Several areas of the city have experienced restoration projects, such as on Mallow Street, Catherine Street, [[The Crescent, Limerick|The Crescent]] and historical areas of [[King's Island, Limerick|King's Island]], which has seen a significant uplift in the 21st century.{{original research inline|date=September 2024}} [[King John's Castle (Limerick)|King John's castle]] was redeveloped between 2011 and 2013 to become a major tourist attraction for the city.

==Modern architecture==
[[File:RiverPoint.JPG|thumb|Riverpoint]]Although a lot of developments in Limerick were concentrated in suburban areas of the city in the early 21st century, there has been notable modern architectural developments and improvements in the appearance of city centre in recent years. Most developments have been along the banks of the [[river Shannon]] and are facing onto the river. The most prominent are the 60m high [[Riverpoint]] building designed by Burke Kennedy Doyle Architects and completed in 2008 and the 200&nbsp;ft four-star [[Clarion Hotel|Clayton Hotel]] on Steamboat Quay, designed by Limerick firm Murray Ó Laoire Architects and completed in 2002. Other developments include apartments and office blocks along the quay's and in areas such as Mount Kenneth Place, Harvey's Quay, Lower Cecil Street and Steamboat Quay. Other developments in the city centre include the successful redevelopment of Bedford Row, Henry Street, Thomas Street and Catherine Street.

In 2007, [[Thomond Park]] underwent a redevelopment project which included the construction of two large stands to accommodate a capacity attendance of 26,500 with 15,100 seated. The stadium has become an icon for Limerick City and in 2009, the design of the stadium, by Murray Ó Laoire Architects, won the people's choice award from the [[Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland]]. 
<!--Possible ref: There was a map by the Georgian Society in Limerick showing the extent of the destruction of architectural heritage-->
In 2023, a new International Rugby Experience attraction, built on the corner of O'Connell Street and Cecil Street in the city centre, opened to the public. The building's architecture is built based on the neighbouring Georgian architecture on O'Connell Street. The JP McManus charitable foundation donated €30 million for the building's development.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halloran |first=Cathy |date=3 May 2023 |title=International Rugby Experience opens in Limerick |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2023/0502/1380180-rugby-limerick/ |publisher=RTÉ News}}</ref> The foundation offered the building to [[Limerick City and County Council]] in April 2024, however the council announced in October 2024 that after "extensive due diligence" they would not be able to cover the operational and funding cost of the faculty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Donovan |first=Katie |date=2024-04-16 |title=International Rugby Experience to be gifted to people of Limerick |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2024/04/16/international-rugby-experience-to-be-gifted-to-people-of-limerick/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Limerick Post Newspaper |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>http://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/1024/1477352-rugby-experience-limerick/</ref> The building, designed by [[Niall McLaughlin Architects]], was crowned 'Ireland's Favourite Building' in 2023 by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland through the Public Choice awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-23 |title=International Rugby Experience is crowned Ireland's favourite building at architecture awards |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/international-rugby-experience-is-crowned-irelands-favourite-building-at-architecture-awards/a1814947134.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Architecture}}
*Architecture
**[[Architecture of Ireland]]
*[[Limerick]]
**[[History of Limerick]]
**[[Newtown Pery, Limerick]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2004/1110/1099561047162.html Shannonside sells itself as Europe's new Riverside City] Wednesday, 10 November 2004 [[The Irish Times]]

{{Limerick}}
{{River Shannon}}

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[[Category:Architecture in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Limerick (city)]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Limerick (city)| ]]
[[Category:Architecture in the Republic of Ireland by city]]