Museum in Limerick set to honour the ancient art of sliotar making
Newcastle West plan is in honour of the late Sean O'Connell, who shipped sliotars around the world
PERMISSION is being sought to open a museum and artisan shop in Newcastle West focused on the art of sliotar making.
The project is taking place to honour popular local businessman, the late Sean O’Connell, whose hand-made sliotars were shipped worldwide.
Deep Pacific Limited are seeking planning permission from Limerick City and County Council to transform two units at 157 and 158 Maiden Street in the county town.
Number 158 was the unit where Sean operated from for 45 years between 1936 to 1981, making sliotars which were sent as far away as New York.
In recent years, the building has lain idle.
But under the plans, it’s proposed to re-open the outlet as an artisan shop showing some of Sean’s original sliotar making and repairing.
Sean was well-known for making leather rucksacks and harnesses.
Preserved samples of his equipment and memorabilia will be on display, agents for the developers have written in a submission to Limerick City and County Council.
An upgrade to the existing amusement arcade is being proposed for the units next door to the new so-called ‘sliotar museum’.
The two shops will be merged, with the signage facing onto Maiden Street standardised, the plans show.
There will be an extension to the rear of the building to provide an entertainment venue and bingo hall.
Agents for the developer say the project “seeks to enhance the day and night time entertainment economy of Newcastle West”.
Deep Pacific is backed by Murrough O’Byrne and Gere O’Byrne, who are responsible for the Parnell Plaza amusement arcade, which is opposite Colbert bus and rail station in the city centre.
Sean O’Connell - who died in his 103rd year in 2023 - was well-known for providing practically every pupil in Newcastle West with a school bag.
His sliotars, which are balls traditionally used in hurling, camogie, rounders and shinty, were pucked across the west.
Sean was also an accomplished hurler, winning a county minor medal with Newcastle West in 1937.
It’s anticipated the museum will measure approximately 122 square metres on the ground floor.
Sean quit his sliotar-making business at the age of 62 to take a job in Aughinish Alumina, and marked his 100th birthday in lockdown.
He sadly died just under three years later.