If Walls Could Talk: The early years of Limerick’s Shannon Street

ON February 10, 1798, some of the first leases for Shannon Street were granted to William Merritt from Edmond Lord Viscount Pery.
Since then, Shannon Street has remained a centre of commerce situated in the heart of Limerick’s Georgian city. All types of businesses have traded on the street since the opening years of the nineteenth century. It was also the birthplace of one of Limerick’s most celebrated actresses.
Among the first residents of Shannon Street was Thomas Westropp who lived at no 5 from about 1802. The interest in the lease of his house was offered for sale in 1806. The sale notice described the house as occupying a ‘most desirable situation in the most fashionable part of the city… it is large and commodious.’
The tenure of the lease was 900 years. Westropp was a prosperous merchant who made his fortune importing goods. Another lease was offered in 1808 for ‘the house, wherein Thomas Mulcahy lately lived in Shannon Street, joining Mr Meade’s new building at the corner of George Street.’
From as early as May 1803, Michael Rochford offered ‘timber of superior quality… and choice Liverpool and Scotch coals on the lowest terms’ from his substantial stores on Shannon Street. Clearly a successful businessman, Rochford also owned several houses on William Street and George Street. He died in about 1820.
In 1821, Dr Keale, a surgeon dentist moved to no 5 Shannon Street where he sold ‘artificial teeth bedded in the best gold, and imitating nature in the most perfect manner.’
Another well-known firm, JN Russell had large stores on the street, his lease was dated October 21, 1803 and held from William Henry Tennison, Earl of Limerick. Russell advertised his vast selection of internationally-sourced wares in the Limerick Chronicle of August 1826, the lengthy notice listing numerous products including ‘pale and pink champagne, vin de grave, and claret, all of which was sourced in Bordeaux.’
In addition to offering alcoholic beverages, Russell also had a supply of timber from Danzig, mahogany from Norway, tallow from Russia and slates from Wales.
Coach-building appears to have been a trade associated with Shannon Street from its beginning and two leading firms established extensive concerns on the street. Thomas Quinlan (c.1780-1843) was a coach maker working from his premises at no 10 Shannon Street from c.1800.
He sold a wide range of carriages such as phaetons, Dublin-built Stanhopes, gigs, tax carts, and outside cars. Quinlan also built family coaches at his factory, spacious yard, showroom, and warehouses. He retired from business in November 1839 after a successful 40 year career. Quinlan Street, Limerick’s shortest street is thought to be named after Thomas Quinlan.
A second coach-building establishment on Shannon Street was Messrs. Phayers which also enjoyed a prosperous trade. Disaster struck Phayer’s enterprise in August 1842. The Morning Post reported that a fire had gutted the premises and destroyed most of the stock including Sir Aubrey de Vere’s carriage, valued at £500. de Vere’s house was Curraghchase. Phayer rebuilt and continued to enjoy a successful trade for many more years. Other coach builders on the street included Christy’s which eventually became White’s Garage, and the firm of D Quilty in the 1880s.

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Quinlan’s premises were acquired by J Nihill who opened a hotel and livery stables at the address. He served breakfasts, soups, luncheons and dinners, and his coffee rooms were ‘elegantly fitted up.’ Nihill did not move far from his previous enterprise – a hotel at no 4 Shannon Street. Nihill retired to Kilkee, where he died in 1848.
The tradition of customers receiving a warm welcome on Shannon Street has changed little in over two centuries and the street still boasts two very popular pubs, namely Flannery’s at no 19 and Myles Breen’s at no 18.
Over the years, the street has been home to several well-established watering holes including James Cardiff at no 13 in the late 1820s. Cardiff’s Mercantile and Shannon Tavern offered a wide selection of wines and spirits to the nobility, gentry, and citizens of the city and its environs.
In addition, Cardiff provided breakfast, dinner and supper, while his accommodation boasted ‘well-aired beds.’ James retired from business in 1849.
Another interesting resident in 1829, was Mr Nixon, portrait and miniature painter who ‘felt confident from his extensive practice in the principal cities of the empire’ to provide the very best of paintings at his lodgings, no 2 Shannon Street.
Other businesses to open on the street in the mid-nineteenth century included John Lacy, tailor draper, and clothier at no 2 in the late 1840s. Lacy informed his customers that the ‘London and Paris fashions are received monthly’. Perhaps the most famous person born on Shannon Street was the Shakespearean actress Ada Rehan (1857–1916). She moved with her family to the USA when she was five years old.
Shannon Street continues to play a central role in the commerce of Limerick and is one of the most hospitable streets in the city. In the present-day pubs, a hotel, a music store, a cafe, a tattoo shop, a theatre and an angel shop are among the businesses that continue to enjoy a trade, nearly 226 years since the first businesses opened.