Landmark Limerick building set to become rehearsal space

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

Councillors have agreed for members of The Gaff theatre performance group to move into a unit at the edge of the old Tait Clothing Factory at Lord Edward Street.

Now, the Limerick Theatre and Performance Hub Ltd, the voluntary group which oversees The Gaff, has secured conditional planning permission from the local authority to move into what was once a Pavilion general store.

Group members are seeking to re-purpose 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 envisioned, as is the demolition of a dividing wall.

Up to now, The Gaff operated from a unit in Cecil Street.

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

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The facility will be used for community, amateur and emerging artists in Limerick.

Council planners granted permission subject to four conditions.

This includes a stipulation that any repair works or upgrades needed will retain the maximum amount of surviving original historic fabric.

A conservation architect will be engaged to supervise these works.

This is being done, council says: “To protect the architectural heritage in the interests of the common good and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

A non-profit venture for community and voluntary arts, the Gaff staff have been working with council for three years in order to identify a permanent home.

Now this aim is a step closer to reality.

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.