REPAIR works to restore the historic Sailors’ Home on O’Curry Street in Limerick City following an arson attack in 2023 are expected to be completed by the end of November.
The property was extensively damaged in a fire during the early hours of July 1, 2023.
An assessment by owners Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) at the time said that while the building suffered extensive damage, it was repairable.
The port authority commenced reinstatement works earlier this year. This week, the SFPC confirmed to the Limerick Post that works are nearing completion.
SFPC CEO Pat Keating told this newspaper that “contractors are due to complete works in the next couple of weeks and hand over the building”.
When asked what about the building’s future use, Mr Keating said the space that has already garnered a lot of interest from potential stakeholders.
“The next stage once repair works are complete is to keep the building occupied in some capacity,” he said “We are working with Limerick City and County Council, Limerick Civic Trust, and other agencies of that nature to ensure it is re-opened because it’s a fabulous building and we want to see it returned back to use.”
The property previously was used as a cultural space and hosted various events since SFPC brought the building back to life in 2012, implementing a significant programme of conservation works to make the structure safe.
The building forms part of Limerick’s maritime history since the 18th century, before being used as a Garda/Constabulary station.
