Limerick improvement projects

TUS reveal plans for George's Quay campus (live95fm)

The plans will maximise the Fanning's Castle site which is located adjacent to the proposed new design hub

The Mary St site is located adjacent to the historic Fanning's Castle, and the proposal aims to maximise the relationship to Fanning’s Castle, offering a new street frontage to Mary Street.

Designers for the project want to bring an existing underutilised courtyard adjacent to Fanning’s Castle back to life by creating a new landscaped area for public access and users of the Forge facility.

The Forge Design Factory will be Ireland’s first interdisciplinary design and learning hub, joining a global network of 40 design factories.

The vision is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of designers, industry leaders, and stakeholders, driving impactful solutions to real-world challenges.

I had a look at the TUS planning 2560879 for Mary Steet / Fanning’s Castle site.

Proposed Development: The change of use of existing storage building on Mary Street at to an education and research facility including demolition of existing storage facility 736 sqm and replacement with two storey education and research facility 697 sqm including office space, computer workstations, learning spaces and associated WC and changing facilities, a new entrance to Mary Street and new signage to Mary Street. Associated landscape works and improved public access to Fanning’s Castle from Mary Street are proposed with upgrading of existing Mary Street gates and boundary. The proposed building is within the curtilage of the National Monument No. 383 known as Fanning’s Castle and the following protected structures: 21513070

In my opinion TUS could have done more here with that site by doing a reconstruction of a row of Four Dutch Gables that once stood there and integrate them as part of the Forge Design Factory / Fanning’s Castle.

The Mary Street / Nicholas Street was the original main thoroughfare of the old English Town and these type of building once graced them.

The following drawing was done by a poster called Gunter who posted on the defunct Archiseek forum where he showed his keen interest in the Dutch Billies associated with Dublin.

@breezy1985

But that would totally block out Fannings castle no ?

You are probably right, the four Dutch Gables marked B, C, D, E that I was referring to in that drawing were further right than I thought.

I would say Fanning's Castle would be better served if they accessed it at Creaghs Lane.

Would be cool if TUS could acquire those buildings (derelict) on Creagh Lane and develop a nice courtyard around the castle remains.

The WW2 destruction period lasted six years but the reconstruction took decades.

The destruction period of the gable buildings along the main thoroughfare of the English Town took longer.

It was economics, not explosives.

It probably started when the Corporation moved to Rutland Street in Newtown Pery.

Once the Georgian boom took hold the importance of the English Town went into decline.

Maintaining those buildings was not profitable enough so the buildings went into decay and were downsized by removing the upper floors.

Worst some were demolished like the Exchange and Ireton’s Gable house on Nicholas Street to make way for a graveyard extension at the Cathedral.

If the English Town or Kings Island as it is known today wants to revive its late Medieval period then some of the existing buildings could return to their Dutch Gable glory by adding a floor or two with a little pediment on top.

The Treaty City Brewery would be an ideal candidate.

Here is an Impression of the same Nicholas Street in 1845.

What’s fake about the Treaty Building?

To me it’s about the possible restoration of two gable buildings.

The stone work at the doorway and the positioning of the drainpipe are interesting details of what could be underneath.

But of course a survey of the building would have to take place first.

Maybe Mayor Moran might get funds for such heritage purposes.

However I’m not advocating a total rebuilding of a Gable Building landscape.