An Taisce call on the Council to protect Limerick city’s historical buildings

AN TAISCE has called on Limerick City and County Council to urgently protect the city’s "invaluable" historical buildings.

It comes as a historic Georgian townhouse located at number 33 Thomas Street was in need of emergency works to prevent it from collapsing.

According to An Taisce, the building is owned by the council and is due to be refurbished and extended for use as residential housing.

"That it has been damaged or neglected to the point of collapse is difficult to comprehend, and that another city-centre Georgian building is again under threat points to a continuing lack of consideration and appreciation by LCCC for the city’s invaluable built heritage," a spokesperson for An Taisce said.

The upper part of Thomas Street, from its junction with Wickham Street to Anne Street, had been restricted while works took place to secure the building.

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"No. 33 has been in a dilapidated condition, but questions need to be asked as to what level of maintenance and monitoring of the building has been carried out if emergency stabilisation is now required," An Taisce added.

The charity, which works to preserve the environment and building heritage in Ireland, said that a December 2022 Design, Planning & Architectural Heritage Report undertaken on No. 33 showed that the gable party wall with No. 34 had a major structural crack.

This, and the reported poor condition of the roof, allowed water to enter the building, resulting in wet and dry rot throughout.

"If this was identified nearly a year ago, why has it taken so long for stabilisation work to be completed and works to avoid further deterioration? In addition, a poorly maintained and structurally unsafe building, particularly one located on a busy street, poses considerable danger to passers-by, as well as staff and patrons of the neighbouring business," the spokesperson said.

The group has called on the Limerick City and County Council to ensure there are adequate and expert resources dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Limerick’s built heritage.

An Taisce said the council needs to ensure that any renovation and rejuvenation work includes sympathetic restoration and conservation.

“The council must take action to avoid further decay of Limerick’s irreplaceable historic core,” they added.

A spokesperson said: "Limerick City and County Council can confirm that one lane of Thomas Street (between Anne St and Wickham St) is now re-opened to traffic, while one footpath, on that same section, is now also open to the public.