Limerick's Sailors' Home gets ready for fresh new voyage after devastating fire

WORK to restore an historic building in Limerick which was hit by fire has kicked off.

The Sailors’ Home at O’Curry Street in the city centre, was severely damaged following an arson attack in July 2023.

Now, more than 18 months after the devastating blaze, work has kicked off on stabilising the building.

A spokesperson for the Shannon Foynes Port Company, which owns the property, has confirmed “reinstatement works” have kicked off.

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A contractor has been appointed to do the work after assessments confirmed that despite the extensive damage to the historic structure, it is repairable.

“The works have now commenced and are expected to be completed by year end,” a Port Company spokesperson added.

It was Shannon Foynes Port Company which took over the Sailors’ Home in 2012 and brought it back to life with a significant programme of conservation works to make the structure safe. It had been out of use for two decades prior.

In its advert seeking contractors to work on the project before Christmas, the Port Company said it was looking for the building to be restored to its pre-fire condition.

Randel Hodkinson, whose business is located a short distance away from O’Curry Street has welcomed that work has begun.
He added the fire has prompted a heightened awareness of the Sailors’ Home, which dates back to 1854 and was once used as a garda barracks.

“Due to the fire, there is far more awareness about the building. A lot of people passed it and didn’t notice it before. But a lot of people in the city have become more aware of it. It’s something which could be used by the community or a local voluntary body,” said Mr Hodkinson.