VISITORS to the International Rugby Experience building will be taken on an exciting interactive journey from the grass roots of rugby, through training, the importance of determination and skill, the role of the wider team, culminating in the greatest rugby moments on the international stage.
A stellar lineup of rugby legends will feature in the Experience including Dan Carter, Maggie Alphonsi, Willie John McBride, Joy Neville and Nigel Owens with many more names set to be released over the coming months.
There will be six main experience spaces, each with a different character and proposition. The stories in each space are underpinned by the World Rugby values of Passion, Discipline, Integrity, Solidarity and Respect. As visitors move through the building, they will learn about each value and its importance to the game.
Barry Hannon, CEO of the International Rugby Experience and Paul O’Connell, Chair of the International Rugby Experience pictured at the site of the International Rugby Experience on O’Connell St., Limerick City. The 30,000 sq. ft visitor attraction is now firmly on schedule to open its doors in Autumn 2022 for a global celebration of the game of rugby union. At a cost of Û30 million, the project is funded by the JP McManus Charitable Entities, and it is envisaged the centre will attract 100,000 visitors per annum. Picture: Alan Place
The seven-storey building will also include spaces for local people to enjoy and for the Limerick business community to meet.
Chief executive Barry Hannon said the new development would enhance the appeal of the Mid-West region’s appeal to overseas visitors.
“We are excited about bringing this fun, family friendly, interactive experience to life in the heart of Limerick City. The sport of rugby union has many unique stories to tell and we are eagerly anticipating expressing them in a state of the art, audio visual, interactive form.
Paul O’Connell, Chair of the International Rugby Experience pictured at the site of the International Rugby Experience on O’Connell St., Limerick City. The 30,000 sq. ft visitor attraction is now firmly on schedule to open its doors in Autumn 2022 for a global celebration of the game of rugby union. At a cost of Û30 million, the project is funded by the JP McManus Charitable Entities, and it is envisaged the centre will attract 100,000 visitors per annum. Picture: Alan Placeimerick post,
“The Experience will appeal to avid rugby fans, future fans and family fun-seekers alike as there is truly something for everyone due to the sheer quality of the exhibition, curated by Event Communications.
“The design of the building will be an attraction in itself and we are looking forward to it living in the city centre and complementing the broad tourism offering Limerick already exhibits,” Mr Hannon added.
Additional information will be uploaded to the project website – www.internationalrugbyexperience.com – as the opening date draws closer, and it is envisaged that a ticket booking system will be live on the website next year. Social media accounts have also gone live and will be regularly updated.
