'I think anyone would be thrilled to live here': First look at new modular housing in Limerick

A DEMONSTRATION of how modular housing in Limerick could look has gone live in the city centre.

For the next eight weeks, Arthur's Quay Park will be home to two cutting-edge housing prototypes.

It's one of the key planks of John Moran's mayoral programme, and he hopes if they are introduced widely, they will bring the average cost of renting down in the city.

Providing modular housing solutions is already being used to tackle housing shortages in Britain and mainland Europe.

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Now, Limerick is set to become the first city in the State to trial this approach.

Known as Smart homes, standing for Short-term Modular Affordable Rental Transition, the units are intended to accelerate the delivery of affordable, high-quality rental homes for thousands of workers and individuals who are finding difficulty accessing the private rental market.

The homes are designed for one or two people.

Each individual pre-fabricated home is intended to be combined with a number of others to provide three to four storey apartment buildings.

The prototypes used for this demonstrator project were built using were assembled and fitted out in one month offsite and are installed over a number of days in the heart of Limerick.

Modular housing innovation showcased as @Mayor_Limerick launches SMART Housing prototype display today at Arthur’s Quay Park.

The modular homes are designed for 1-2 person households, who currently represent over half of Limerick’s housing need. pic.twitter.com/krF6IVRwap

— Limerick Council - Comhairle Luimnigh (@LimerickCouncil) September 4, 2025

The units are fully compliant and have a 60-year design life, matching traditional builds in both durability and safety.

The exhibition at Arthur's Quay Park aims to get feedback from the people of Limerick and show the potential to deliver modular housing as a scalable, cost-effective solution.

Mayor Moran said: "We all recognise we’re in a terrible housing crisis in Ireland, which is of course particularly acute in Limerick. Simply put, for years, we’ve been delivering much needed housing at too slow a pace. One of the key solutions to this crisis is building the homes that we need. This means the right housing for each cohort of need, not a one size fits all solution which has not visibly worked. This solution is targeted to those in need of affordable rental homes. They are willing to pay for themselves. That’s why solutions like this are such an important part of the delivery of the More for Limerick Mayoral Programme. This is about actioning delivery on much more flexible and cheaper rental supply.”

Members of the public are invited to give their views on whether they would choose to live in one of two different units.

One is a less expensive 23 square metered home, with an additional six squared metre area which, when placed with other units of its own size will form a common facilities area for renters to enjoy.

Alternatively, there is a 32 square metered self-contained home, with a higher price tag in terms of rent.

People will have an opportunity to make their view heard on their preferences, both on site at Arthur’s Quay Park and via an online survey at www.limerick.ie/smart-housing

Those interested in viewing the prototypes can do so in person from this Friday, September 5, and Saturday, September 6.

Then the homes will be available to view from Monday, September 8 through to Saturday, September 13.

Following this, they will be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday up to the end of October.

Opening times are between noon and 6pm on weekdays, and noon to 4pm on Saturdays.

The prototypes were launched this Thursday afternoon, and among those who took the chance to have a look around was Sybil MacDonald.

Suitably impressed, she said: "I think anyone would be thrilled to live here."