THE Sailors’ Home on O’Curry Street, which was destroyed in an arson attack two years ago, is in the frame to be turned into a space for artists into the future.
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan proposed at the December meeting of the Metropolitan District of Limerick City and County Council that the local authority write to its owners, Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), in relation to the future use of the Sailors’ Home.
The port authority, which owns the property, procured a contractor to carry out works earlier this year after the O’Curry Street property was extensively damaged in a fire in the early hours of July 1, 2023.
Assessments confirmed that, despite the extensive damage, the property was repairable, and restorations are nearing completion.
“We got the great news that the Gasworks site, owned by the Land Development Agency, is going to have about 300 apartments on it. So O’Curry Street is really going to be transformed,” Cllr O’Donovan told Council members.
“We talk a lot about safety in this area, but actually one way we can transform this part of the city is by getting people living there and getting cultural facilities and public facilities on them as well.”
The City West representative went explained how she has recently been contacted by a number of artists in Limerick who are struggling to find studio space locally do their work.
“One of the places that popped into my head that we could use is the Sailors’ Home. It was previously used on an ad hoc basis for exhibitions and different things like that. So I think it’s really important now, particularly considering the apartments and housing that’s coming down the line there, and really restoring this whole Docklands area,” Cllr O’Donovan added.
Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara seconded his party colleague’s proposal, noting how “this space has got such a special place in the heart of so many artists and people in in our community in the city. It has been such a beloved space, and the arson attack was devastating for so many people.”
“The fact there’s work ongoing with the idea that it could actually be opened is really, really exciting. I really want to put my entire weight behind this. It will be a draw. It will be a draw to that part of the city, an area that often feels a bit unsafe and a bit rundown and not invested in. This could be really something that draws people in,” he suggested.