'Significant interest' in purchase of landmark Limerick hospital
Bon Secours set to move into new premises on the edge of city
THERE has been “significant interest” in the purchase of Barrington’s Hospital in George’s Quay once it becomes vacant next year.
That’s according to a spokesperson for the firm which runs the facility, Bon Secours.
Bon Secours will vacate the building once its new state-of-the-art complex on the edge of the city opens, potentially bringing the curtain down on almost 200 years of it acting as a medical facility in Limerick.
In readiness for this, the landmark building has been put on the market through Dublin-based agent Bannon at a guide price of €12.5m.
After the HSE confirmed it will not be exploring the acquisition of the 53-bed hospital, there were fears that it would lie idle come next year.
However, these appear to be abating with Bon Secours confirming the interest.
“It’s positive, there is significant interest. The site has a very bright future,” a source with knowledge of the discussions told the Limerick Leader this week. The Leader is aware that already a number of site visits have taken place.
Paul Doyle, of Bannon, said when contacted separately: “The sales process is continuing. We are working away on that.” He was not able to offer any further comment.
Bon Secours will relocate from its existing hospital at Barrington’s in 2025, with its new building at Ballysimon offering 170 beds.
Barrington’s was built on behalf of the Barrington family in 1829.
According to plans prepared by architecht Frederick Darley, the hospital was incorporated by an act of parliament in May 1830.
As it stands now, the hospital’s original five-bay, three-storey over basement limestone building forms part of a wider 40,000 square foot complex.
This is distributed across three interconnecting sections.
The original structure and one modern extension fronting on to the Shannon river are held freehold and extend to nearly 40,000sq ft while the third element of the complex, a connecting 15,000sq ft leasehold building, sits to the rear of the property.
The site is being offered for sale with the benefit of vacant possession.
Mr Doyle, of Bannon, previously stated: “This is an opportunity for a new owner to carry the mantle of Barrington’s into its next phase. This could well be health-related given the property’s current use. Alternatively, it could potentially take the form of a wide variety of different uses such as a hotel, educational facility or residential, subject to planning permission.”
Despite calls from some quarters, the HSE ruled out investing in Barrington’s - which up to its initial closure in 1988 had been a public hospital.
In a statement, the health service said it will not proceed, highlighting the “long term suitability of the building for healthcare services in the region.”