LIMERICK’s historic georgian landmark the Currogowar House was demolished last Saturday despite ongoing campaigning against the buildings removal.
The structures original demolition date was scheduled for january and subsequently postponed due to restrictions placed on construction
The landmark was constructed in the late eighteenth century and stands a reminder of the city’s history to many locals.
Councillor Elisa O’Donovan said “People are really saddened. I walked by it a couple of times yesterday and people stopped to chat to me.”.
Demolition of Curragower House is due to take place on Monday. @greenparty_ie @noonan_malcolm can you not intervene as Minister for Heritage to save it 🙏 I don’t see how knocking this building to build a cafe and two apartments is essential works pic.twitter.com/AiTY6Yc5Uf
— Cllr Elisa O’Donovan (@elisaodonovan) January 9, 2021
People have taken to twitter to express their upset with the councils decision to replace the historic site, which is to be replaced by a cafe and three new apartments.
The destruction of our built heritage continues apace. Yes, it would have taken a considerable sum to put Curragower House right, but it would have been the right thing to do. A sad day for #Limerick. I captured this footage in Jan. 2021. pic.twitter.com/OD1wOEeOxn
— Dr Paul O’Brien (@Cooplafocal) June 12, 2021
An Taisce, the governing body of protected sites in Ireland, was amongst those campaigning against the buildings demolition hoping to have achieved a protected status for the building.
However this application was met with complications as a planning approval for the site was already underway.
“What a lot of people said is that they wished they could have said goodbye to it. And I know that seems a bit strange but it’s been part of our lives for so long,” said Cllr O’Donovan
