Historic Limerick theatre transforms for a pop-up space

RENOVATION work is underway to bring the old Theatre Royal building on Cecil St in Limerick City back to use as a pop-up theatre.

Roof repairs, a new fire safety system, and accessible facilities are all being worked on as part of the upgrades, which will make the building safe, dry and usable.

The first production in this rejuvenated space will be ‘CONNIE’, by award-winning Limerick playwrights Ann Blake and Joanne Ryan, which opens this October. CONNIE, with an all-female cast, blends live performance, archival film, and an original score recorded with the Irish Chamber Orchestra to give audiences an unforgettable experience.

The historic building, which played host to performances such as Father Ted’s Eurovision scenes, the Cranberries, the Prodigy and the Corrs as recently as the 1990s, closed in 1997 after a fire destroyed its interior and led to its dereliction.

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Mayor of Limerick, John Moran is supporting the initial renovation work and has committed support through the discretionary Mayoral Fund to restore the building. Limerick Twenty Thirty is enabling the project and overseeing the works.

Mayor Moran said: “The Theatre Royal holds a special place in Limerick’s memory, and this is just the beginning of our journey in bringing this historic venue back into use.”

“The More for Limerick Mayoral Programme outlines our ambition to make this building operational again, in a way which values its unique history.”

The Mayor added: “I want to particularly thank the team at Limerick Twenty Thirty for stepping up to lead the delivery of this restoration and the ETB for leasing us the building for the interim while permanent plans are agreed.

“I absolutely want the Theatre Royal to once again serve as a vibrant cultural hub in the heart of Limerick, with scope for theatre, community use, and creative projects that will breathe new life into our city centre.”