A LIMERICK entrepreneur and artist has breathed life back into the former Mungret College by setting up an art gallery, gift shop and cafe in the 150-year-old building. Ann Fitzgerald is utilising the space on the first floor of the former agriculture college and Jesuit Secondary School as a gallery where she displays many of her masterpieces in painting and sketching.
Space is also dedicated to local artists and photographers, who have put their talents on public display for the first time.
Entry to the gallery is free, and visitors are met with a souvenir gift shop selling products from Ann’s ‘Listen Up’ and ‘Dear God’ lines, which have found thousands of homes worldwide.
The entrepreneur has also set-up a coffee shop on the ground floor of the building, which is intended as a community meeting point to bring people together, to build on community spirit and to have a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Visitors are not charged, but are invited to make a donation of €1, which is put back into the service.
“This is the first time the space has been functional since the Jesuits left,” Ann told the Limerick Post during an inspection visit.
“The space has so many different functions including conventions in the big hall and art classes for all ages, while Limerick Christian School is also based here and they make the cards to sell in the gift shop.
“Our main aim is to encourage creativity in people and to build on their skills and give them a sense of pride in their work.
“We also want to help others and give them the opportunity to come in and browse, read a book or have a coffee.
“We are dedicated to the vision”.
William Sheehan, Askeaton, is a volunteer at the gallery and coffee shop, explained that former pupils at the college have dropped by and were delighted to see the building in use again.
“All who come here sign a book and are invited to pass comment. We’ve had people from all over the world, from Canada and Alaska and one man from the USA who said his dad was in school here in 1954.
“This is the exact vision we had for the place. We wanted people to come in for all reasons and to drop in to the coffee shop and have a cup of tea and a chat.
“We are just giving something back to society.
“It’s a simple concept and all the items sold in the gift shop are at nominal prices”.
The building first functioned as an agricultural college before becoming a Jesuit Secondary School, which closed in 1974.
The main section of the building is now occupied with offices and small businesses.
