Home of famous Limerick author to be restored

THE HOME of one of Limerick and Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights and authors, Kate O’Brien is finally going to be restored to its former glory after it was ravaged by significant fire damage.

Planning is underway for the revival of O’Brien’s birthplace, Boru House, and its mews building on Mulgrave Street, both of which had been derelict and damaged for many years.

The man behind the ambitious move is David Fitzgerald, who is working with his brother John to restore the landmark Victorian-era residence, built in the 1880s.

Mr Fitzgerald has engaged conservation and preservation experts in order to bring back to life the protected structure, which is marked with the signature green Civic Trust plaque commemorating the seminal writer.

According to planning files seen by the Leader, it is proposed “to remove the old plaque and replace it with the new plaque”.

“We proposed to remove the newly installed commemorative plaque from its current position and make good the area in which it was installed.”

In email correspondence sent on February 22, David Fitzgerald said that “all aspects of the house were treated with care and given ample time during restoration to preserve the original integrity of Boru House”.

Mr Fitzgerald also noted that the house was derelict before he purchased it.

 “There had been a fire at the house. The house had been used by drug users. There was ample evidence of graffiti and needles for drug users. This background and aspect of the house ought to be considered as the house has been brought back to life through careful treatment and preservation by David Fitzgerald.”

Mr Fitzgerald said there are still a number of steps to go before Boru House returns to its former glory.

“The owners are endeavouring to bring it back to its former glory as a residential property. That is what it is. It’s fantastic inside,” he told the Limerick Leader. 

“It is critical to the historic fabric of both Limerick’s heritage and also the architectural heritage of Limerick. It plays a crucial role in the cultural and living aspects of Limerick, historically and presently.”