Government confirm engagement with JP McManus and family to open new museum in Limerick

TALKS have kicked off between JP McManus, his family and Government in the hope of revitalising a landmark building in Limerick city centre.

Communications Minister and Limerick County TD Patrick O'Donovan is engaging with the McManus family, after they indicated that they would be prepared to gift the former International Rugby Experience building to the State.

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It comes just over a year since the facility closed after negotiations to gift the facility to Limerick City and County Council collapsed.

Since then, it has been largely out of use.

But Mr O'Donovan has this Tuesday announced his intention to open a branch of the National Museum of Ireland in the heart of Limerick, with a permanent exhibition telling the stories of women in Ireland.

He presented the idea to cabinet, who noted his plans.

"This magnificent building presents a wonderful opportunity to enhance the cultural footprint in Limerick and the wider Mid-West and I would like to thank Mr McManus and his team for supporting this shared vision for the region," he said.

"It offers great potential to amplify the representation of women’s voices and lived experiences, in all their diversity, and with a special focus on under-represented and marginalised communities. It is a significant step in expanding the reach of our national cultural institutions beyond the capital," said the Fine Gael TD.

Mr O'Donovan said Limerick would become the latest regional centre for the National Museum of Ireland, joining Cork's Crawford Gallery and the Museum of Country Living in Mayo.

"This is very much in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that our national cultural institutions reach right across the country. Furthermore, I believe that a new museum dedicated to women’s stories would respond very meaningfully to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Women’s Stories," he added.

The Minister for Culture called for patience on the delivery of the project.

“I am conscious that there is a detailed process to undertake to realise this proposal, and I know that developing any new museum is a sensitive and complex process. There are many factors to be considered, which will take time to fully work through. I am committed to working collaboratively with all involved to fully explore the potential and feasibility of this and I welcome the support of my Government colleagues as I and my Department work through this process," he said.

Barry Hannon, the chief executive of the International Rugby Experience welcomed the news.

"Our long standing ambition has always been to add to the tourism landscape in Limerick, adding a new civic space that would be an economic and cultural driver for generations into the future. We are delighted to have reached the next steps in that process with Minister O’Donovan’s presentation to cabinet and we appreciate their shared vision on the importance of tourism and regional development. We will continue the positive collaboration with Government, the Board and Management of the National Museum and the Office of Public Works to achieve the best outcome for Limerick," he said.