PLANS for a museum dedicated to the stories of Irish women have been met with a hugely positive reception by Government, making the project a huge step closer to realisation.
Limerick TD and Minister for Culture, Communications, and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, updated Government on Tuesday (February 24) on proposals to accept a purpose-built exhibition facility on O’Connell Street in the heart of Limerick City – the home of the former International Rugby Experience (IRE) – under the State Property Act 1954.
It has been revealed that, after talks last year with IRE owner JP McManus failed to see Limerick City and County Council accept the building as a gift – with the Council citing at the time the IRE’s loss-making history and a stipulation that the local authority could never sell the building – the billionaire has now offered the award-winning landmark to the State.
Seán Golden, chief economist and director of policy with Limerick Chamber, told the Limerick Post that news of the donation “represents a positive step for a well-positioned city centre asset.
“It provides some certainty around a building with strong potential as a tourism and cultural offering for Limerick and the wider region. Footfall and demand will ultimately determine its success, and we look forward to following the Government’s next steps in this regard.”
The plan was also enthusiastically met by award-winning Limerick historian Sharon Slater, who deemed the plans “fantastic news, not just for Limerick but for Ireland”.
“It would be great for women to be integrated into existing museums but there isn’t the capacity for that, so it is fantastic that we will have a dedicated museum.”
Asked if she was concerned that a flagship entity for womens’ place in Irish history would be created on a site where a former ambitious entity failed, Ms Slater said she has no such fears.
“People called it the rugby museum, but it wasn’t a museum – it was an experience,” she said.
“This museum will be led by a national body which has the capacity to drive people to it as part of their national offering.”
Following the briefing – which is understood to have been very positive – the Minister said: “This magnificent building presents a wonderful opportunity to enhance the cultural footprint in Limerick and the wider Mid West and I would like to thank Mr. McManus and his team for supporting this shared vision for the region.”
“It offers great potential to amplify the representation of women’s voices and lived experiences, in all their diversity, and with a special focus on under-represented and marginalised communities. It is a significant step in expanding the reach of our national cultural institutions beyond the Capital.”
Cathaoirleach of Limerick’s Metropolitan District, Cllr Daniel Butler, said the plans represented “major opportunity for Limerick City Centre”.
“A national cultural institution on O’Connell Street would drive footfall, confidence, and long-term regeneration.
“I acknowledge my party colleague, Minister Patrick O’Donovan, for demonstrating the political leadership required to move this forward. This progress shows what happens when experience, decisiveness, and collective engagement are brought to bear on a challenge.”
This multi award-winning building, completed in 2023, was designed by Niall McLaughlin, this year’s RIBA Royal Gold medal winner and previous winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize for architectural excellence.
Minister O’Donovan expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the property owners, the McManus family, for enabling the opportunity.
He said it provides a unique opportunity to enhance the regional balance across the National Cultural Institutions and provide a new quality cultural offering in Limerick and the Mid West.
Final acquisition will require completion of a due diligence process in the normal way.
The Government noted the Minister’s plans to engage fully with the McManus family, the board and management of the National Museum, the Office of Public Works, and other key stakeholders to realise this exciting proposal and to explore the expansion of the galleries of the National Museum of Ireland and develop a permanent women’s museum in Limerick.
This would allow the State to respond to a key recommendation in the report of the Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories – offering a permanent, dedicated women’s museum, with space for exhibitions and programming to enhance women’s stories and voices, in all their diversity, as well as potentially providing for advocacy, research, education and outreach.
The site could also provide space for other exhibitions, including temporary exhibitions, under the National Museum of Ireland.
“I am conscious that there is a detailed process to undertake to realise this proposal, and I know that developing any new museum is a sensitive and complex process. There are many factors to be considered, which will take time to fully work through. I am committed to working collaboratively with all involved to fully explore the potential and feasibility of this and I welcome the support of my Government colleagues as I and my Department work through this process,” the Minister said.