Plans revealed to refurbish historic kiosk at Limerick's People's Park
Limerick Civic Trust is seeking funding to restore the historic kiosk, with its striking red and white facade, is an iconic landmark in Limerick city
PLANS have been revealed to restore the People’s Park kiosk, which closed in the 1980s.
Limerick Civic Trust, with the support of Cllr Maria O'Donoghue and sign painter Tom Collins, have submitted an application under the Historic Structures Fund to carry out remedial works at the kiosk.
Stephen Griffin, a supervisor at Limerick Civic Trust, said Limerick City and County Council hopes to see it reopen as a coffee shop but that the main aim of the project is “to restore the kiosk as best as we can”.
He described the kiosk as a nostalgic place for those “of a certain generation in the city,” many of whom have “fond memories” of visiting it after a day out at the park.
The historic kiosk, with its striking red and white facade, is an iconic landmark in Limerick city and for decades supplied People’s Park day trippers and busy workers with newspapers, tobacco and ice cream.
Located on the Boherbuoy side of People’s Park, the kiosk is adorned with enamel signs advertising long-defunct tobacco companies like ‘Three Castles’ and ‘Will’s Bulwark’.
Signwriter Tom Collins told the Limerick Leader he hopes for a “full sympathetic restoration” utilising traditional techniques to “bring out the original colours” of the kiosk's nearly 100-year-old signage.
Built sometime in the 1920s, the small shop was run for generations by the O’Sullivan family until it ceased trading in the late 1980s and fell into disrepair. “It is a tremendous landmark in the city and deserves to be well looked after,” said Mr Griffin.
Due to vandalism, the signage, which originally wrapped around the kiosk, was removed for safekeeping. The rear-side was painted with a thick tar and a railing was installed.
Limerick Civic Trust first carried out restoration work in 2007. The kiosk was repaired to its original state and became an arts venue, hosting exhibitions and later serving as a focal point for information about the city's parks.
It once again fell into disrepair until it became the subject of a discussion at Limerick Civic Trust.
Stephen Griffin said: "If we get the funding, it'll be done in stages. Firstly we will work on the front facade, then the roof and a third stage will be the back of the kiosk."