Petition to stop demolition of 200-year-old Limerick building attracts strong support

ALMOST 1,150 people have signed an online petition in a bid to save a 200-year-old, riverside Georgian building in Limerick, which is due to be demolished as part of a new development.

As previously reported by the Limerick Leader, planning permission has been granted for the demolition of Curragower House at Clancy’s Strand, which was built between the late 1700s or early 1800s. 

The development will include the demolition of the existing building, which is classified as a ‘derelict dwelling’, and the construction of a private dwelling, three apartment units and a cafe.

“We believe the building is not yet beyond repair and we believe the proposed replacement is completely out of character with the area and unsympathetic to the heritage and visual amenity,” the online petition states. 

“Clancy's Strand is especially important to Limerick City as it sits directly opposite Limerick's prime water frontage of Merchant's Quay and Arthur's Quay.” 

“If you feel strongly about Limerick's heritage, if you feel strongly about the aesthetics of our city, please, please add your name to this petition.” 

Since the petition was launched online last week, it has since amassed 1,145 signatures. 

“The City authorities should be conserving our historical heritage, not enabling its destruction. We have already lost too much,” one person who signed said. 

An Taisce Limerick is currently considering if it will lodge an appeal to An Bord Pleanala (ABP) over the recent planning decision. 

This is the third time the local authority has granted permission to demolish Curragower House, as ABP has refused to grant planning permission for its demolition on two previous occasions, according to An Taisce Limerick acting chair Michelle Hayes.

“The planning application relates to a visually prominent riverside location and the proposed demolition of a Georgian building of this nature would greatly diminish the architectural heritage of this historical area of Limerick,” Ms Hayes said.

“An Taisce Limerick is considering the planning decision and will make a decision shortly on whether to Appeal to An Bord Pleanala.”

In a submission made to Limerick City and County Council, the project’s architects state the decision to demolish Curragower House was not “considered in a flippant manner”, and was influenced by several factors. 

According to the submission, the existing building has suffered “significant decline” as it has been vacant for the last 19 years. 

The building also suffered fires in 2004 and 2017, and was struck by lightning in March 2008, which damaged the roof and top floor wall.