Former bank branches in Limerick towns set to house Ukrainians

TWO FORMER banks in County Limerick are in the process of being turned into board and lodging for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their homeland.

The former Bank of Ireland branches in Askeaton and Abbeyfeale are expected to accommodate up to 25 people in a new plan.

Cllr Liam Galvin, who raised the subject at a Newcastle West Municipal District meeting, welcomed the move to rehome Ukrainians in the banks. The Fine Gael councillor said he had sought assurances that the branches would return to community use when the war is over.

Bank of Ireland announced it would close seven of its branches across the city and county in March 2021.

Council formally takes ownership of former bank branches in Limerick towns

A year later, Limerick City and County Council confirmed it is to purchase four of the former branches - Rathkeale, Askeaton, Bruff and Abbeyfeale - with the buildings to be re-purposed for community use.

A further 12 months on the council have told the Limerick Leader the properties have been earmarked to accommodate Ukrainians.

A council spokesperson said the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage requested that they prepare a tender for the refurbishment of the former Bank of Ireland properties at Askeaton and Abbeyfeale under the Ukraine Refurbishment Project.

“The tender was published on eTenders on February 17 for the refurbishment and operation of the properties as multi-occupancy temporary accommodation centres for beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing the war in Ukraine,” said a council spokesperson.

It is envisaged that the centres will each be able to accommodate approximately 20-25 people in family bedrooms with shared kitchen / recreation and sanitary facilities.

“The tender closing date was March 3. The results will be notified to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who will advise as to whether or not the projects can proceed.

“If the projects are given approval to proceed by the Department following this tender process, Limerick City and County Council will arrange community engagement to discuss the projects,” concluded the council spokesperson.

Cllr Jerome Scanlan noted that it wouldn’t be the first time the buildings have been lived in as in times gone by the bank manager would reside in the property. Mr Scanlan, who previously worked for Bank of Ireland, recalled a story from the 1940s.

He said while the manager of the Abbeyfeale branch was on his summer holidays, his replacement was a man named Galway Foley. As Foley is a common name in Abbeyfeale, the sub-agent was called Galway Foley after his native county.

Cllr Scanlan said Mr Foley got a loan of a cow to eat the grass on the lush lawn at the back of the branch which stretches down to the River Feale.

After the bank manager returned from his holiday, the councillor said he was less than impressed by the damage caused to the previously pristine lawn by Mr Foley’s bovine.