Limerick improvement projects

Cookiemunster · 15-06-2026 07:27PM

It's a bit of a rambling rant and has absolutely nothing to do with the proposal (No matter how accurate they may be about the city centre issues in general).

The other submissions seem to be all along similar lines of it being a waste of money (which I'd agree with). I honestly don't see the point of it as it won't keep anyone actually using the shops dry and seems to be nothing more than an art installation.

But I suppose this is the council who proposed a €500,000 revolving prism on the Thomas St/O'Connell St junction and a €15 bridge between Arthurs Quay and Merchants Quay.

Mr. TTime · 17-06-2026 11:48AM

Limerick City will not have a viable commercial presence until it sorts out the shortfall in quality city-centre accommodation and has a proper transport system which doesn't dis-encourage those from the outskirts of coming in to shop.

I was in Cork on business last week and the contrast between the two cities is now so stark. Teems of people were strolling up and down Patrick St, huge apartment blocks are being built within minutes walking distance of the centre, hotels, event centres and yes, even the odd vape and coffee shop. It just felt lighter and more optimistic than Limerick City has felt in years.

Until we get people living in the city again I fear that our home town will continue to falter and regress. And there is no canopy big enough or pretty enough to hide our shame and disappointment.

Cookiemunster · 17-06-2026 04:17PM

I agree with your assessment of Limericks issues in the first paragraph, however......

Cork is over twice the size of Limerick, so is a poor city to compare Limerick to. It's going to be busier simply by having a much larger population.

Cork though, doesn't have a proper transport system either. Their BusConnects is as far away as ours. Their LUAS is a decade away.

The event center (singular) is still a pipe dream. After years of delays and cost increases it was cancelled before a brick was laid. It's now up in the air with no finalised location or design.

Cork locals will tell you that the place is being overrun with vape and phone repair shops, so it's more than just the odd one.

Finally most of the apartment blocks are being built by the LDA. They have the same issues financing private developments that we have.

In Limerick, the LDA are due to go to construction on 300 apartments on the Gasworks site in 2027.

Mr. TTime · 17-06-2026 04:40PM

Fair enough - it was the Cork Opera House I walked passed that I categorised as an events centre - it is bigger but I don't remember experiencing such a difference when I used go to Cork regularly back in the early 00's.

breezy1985 · 17-06-2026 05:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557996#Comment_124557996

Both were pretty crap in the early 00's but Cork less so. Both have improved massively relative to where they started and also their size.

Cork is certainly having a moment so just enjoy out without it needing to say anything bad about somewhere else. Kinda reminds me of hurling fans thinking there is something wrong this year because football is having a more fun season.

There is plenty of optimism around Limerick if you just stay away from all the moaning and nitpicking online from people who never leave the suburbs.

Limerick improvement projects

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