Talks ongoing over historical Limerick fire-hit building

THE OWNERS of a historic Limerick building which was hit by fire are “totally committed” to restoring it to its former glory.

There was shock and sadness after the Sailors’ Home, located at O’Curry Street in the city centre was severely damaged by fire last summer.

At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, Labour councillor Joe Leddin sought an update on what progress is being made to the refurbishment of the building, which dates back to the 1850s.

In a written reply from senior council planner Maria Woods, he was told that the local authority’s conservation officer Tom Cassidy is in regular contact with officials from Shannon Foynes Port Company which owns the premises.

“The board and management of the Shannon Foynes Port Company are totally committed to seeing the Sailors’ Home comprehensively restored to its condition immediately prior to the fire and suitably repurposed,” she stated.

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Ms Woods also confirmed that both a conservation engineering consultant firm, and a conservation architect practice has been put in place.

Talks are ongoing between council, Shannon Foynes Port Company and its insurance company.

“The site has been made safe through selective dismantlement of friable (material which is easily crumbled) and fragile fabric by a firm of contractors following completion of the requisite procurement process,” Ms Woods added.

Despite its name, the Sailor’s Home was never actually used to provide accommodation for maritime men, local historian Tadhg Moloney has written in previous research.

Instead, it became a military barracks, a constabulary barracks and following independence, a garda station.

It’s been largely out of constant use this century.