Landmark former clothes mill in Limerick set for new lease of life

A LANDMARK building in Limerick city centre is to become a theatre rehearsal space

Council members have agreed for the Gaff theatre performance hub to move into the old Tait Clothing Factory in Lord Edward Street in the city centre.

Now, the voluntary group taking over the facility has signalled its intention to seek planning permission from the local authority to fit out the protected structure to allow for space for performers to practice.

On top of this, new rooftops, solar panels, signage and an entrance canopy are planned as is the demolition of the dividing wall.

Up to now, the Gaff operated from an in-fill unit in Cecil Street.

But this new base will allow the group to continue to provide wide -ranging programmes in theatre, film, visual art, audio and other festival work.

A design team has been put in place to convert the former factory space into the facility for community, amateur and emerging artists in Limerick.

The Gaff is a Limerick-based non-profit venture for community and voluntary arts, facilitating engagement between artists, community and the wider public.

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It’s been working with Limerick City and County Council for three years in order to identify a permanent home.

The former Tait clothing factory has been on the group’s radar since 2021.

Since then, significant funding has been raised by the company with supports coming from the council’s Social Intervention Fund alongside a significant pledge from College Players, Limerick’s oldest theatre company.

A recent award from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund helped move the project along, with Gaff board member Padhraic Hastings describing it as a “game-changer” in terms of its progress.

Renowned local playwright Mike Finn, who chairs the Gaff has welcomed the move.

He said: “Collaboration and collective endeavour lie at the heart of The Gaff's work. Communities and artists with whom we regularly collaborate from Moyross, St Mary’s, Southill and from the Traveller community, will now have a magnificent building in which to create new work. I am particularly excited at the prospect of dedicated workspaces for artists which will be available for short and medium-term residencies.”

One of the largest in the world at the time, the former Tait clothing factory was opened in 1853 by former mayor Peter Tait, operating until 1975.