Photo: Cian O’Reilly
THE reality of what City of Culture designation brings is becoming more evident monthly. As well as top flight stuff such as Limerick Literary Festival, the role of fostering artists and their arts is core to the concept.
Take a look at an exceptional art deco building on O’Connell Street, No. 51A’s Central Buildings [made over in City of Culture colours by visual artist Cora Collins]. Out of sight to the rear is Christ Church, home to the Presbyterian and Methodist united church for 40 years. The whole three storey complex is owned by the Methodist Home Mission in Ireland.
No. 51A as Central Buildings Community Project is firm base now for Doras Luimní, for Honest Arts Productions and Music Generation Limerick City.
More good news? There is office, meeting and performance space available to worthwhile candidates working in the arts/ community who need a central venue.
Minister Vicky Lynch explains: “If anybody comes to us where the focus is community and being a blessing to the arts, a blessing to the people, we will consider you. It doesn’t matter what the project is as long as it’s appropriate”.
No, there is no call for the work to have a religious slant. Plenty of bodies and performances have operated out of this space – her own sons are in a band called Lynshig, Limerick Choral Union rehearses weekly, youth development and theatre practitioners have each been welcome.
From her background as a youth and community development worker (now her daughter Anna-Victoria’s field), Minister Lynch is keyed into such a dynamic. At the heart of Christianity, as she points out, is the spirit of care and share, “generosity and abundance”.
“We have a lot of flexible space,” she points out. ”We don’t have a flat fee for its use but trust people to say what it is they can afford”.
Tel. 061-325325 to view the church and first floor chambers where pop-up ventures such as café talk are ideal.
