Limerick's An Taisce branch want cars removed from part of riverside

THE Limerick branch of An Taisce believes consideration should be given to removing traffic from a section of the city’s riverside.

Aengus and Rioghna D'Arcy, who run JJ Bowles Pub in Thomondgate, are expected to hear in the next fortnight whether their plan to convert the old toll cottages in Verdant Place into an eaterie will get planning permission.

They purchased the houses from council in 2023, and plan to open a lunch-to-late cafe and licensed bar with room for 60 people.

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Heritage group An Taisce were asked to have their say on the application.

The Limerick branch has given a thumbs up to the proposals, saying they are “exciting and considered”.

But the group has also called on Limerick City and County Council to upgrade the streets around the site in tandem, should the project get planning permission.

As part of this, the group believes the section of Verdant Place where people will sit outside the cafe as is proposed, should be out-of-bound to cars.

“Such a move would not be too disruptive as vehicular access is readily available via Castle Street and Island View Terrace to the lower part of Verdant Place, and the existing residential parking facilities. Restricting this short section of the quayside to pedestrians and cyclists would not only provide a far safer environment for these users, but would greatly enhance the visual environment for residents and visitors,” An Taisce Limerick wrote in a submission to the local authority.

At the moment, they believe Verdant Place has a “substandard public realm”.

“Poor quality materials such as poured concrete, tarmac and galvanised metal railings and streetlights significantly detract from the urban environment,” they claim.

An Taisce Limerick has also asked council to provide a safe pedestrian crossing linking the proposed new cafe and bar to King John’s Castle.

“A pavement upgrade for Thomond Bridge that compliments this listed protected structure would be a long overdue vital conservation and restoration project. The removal of the poured concrete paving and the introduction of limestone paving and limestone kerbs in keeping with the hammered limestone ashlar wall facing the roadside,” added the heritage group.

Speaking to Limerick Live after planning permission was sought from the local authority, Mr D'Arcy said he and his wife Rioghna had their eyes on developing the toll cottages for a number of years.

It’s been more than 50 years since the buildings, across the river from his pub, have been in use.

“I’ve been looking across for years at that site, and been thinking: if it ever came up for sale, I would put a bid in on it,” he said.

He said the key is maintaining the existing character of the building, and the team they have appointed for the project was done with a view to this.

A significant amount of work will be needed for the interior premises, he admitted, saying: “There’s a bit of stripping back to the bare bones”.

If permission is granted, he added it could take a year to transform the old cottages into a cafe.

A decision is due by August 31 next.