The Franciscan’s gifted their friary to the Bonaventure Trust at Mary I
Two former churches effectively vacant in city
THE “very generous gift” of the Franciscan Friary on Henry Street to the Bonaventure Trust at Mary Immaculate College, remains unused and unopened with no apparent blueprint drawn up for its future use.
Now, architect Richard Rice, responding to a report in the Limerick Post on empty buildings in the city, advocates the “restoration of the former Franciscan church back to life”.
He says: “There are two churches in the city centre which are effectively vacant – the Franciscans and the Jesuits.
“The city council is currently considering where to put a new library building and is possibly also investigating a better location for the city museum.
“I would consider that the city has a civic responsibility to consider how these churches are to gain a new use and life, and believe that a library and museum would be ideal, as well as for the vibrancy of the city centre”.
Over two years ago, Peadar Cremin, president of Mary Immaculate College, told the Limerick Post that their intention was to utilise the Friary building as a library and for other study purposes.
When contacted this week, John Coady, vice president, Administration and Finance, confirmed that the Bonaventure Trust had been set up identify appropriate uses for the building.
“They employed a manager to try to progress things and get something going – the Trust is holding the property and had been trying to get people interested in studying Theology and Catholic Teaching, but it didn’t take off”.
Mr Coady said that initially Limerick City Council had evinced some initial interest in acquiring the building for a new city library, and/or art gallery.
“As a protected structure, the city council would have been the ideal body to ensure that nothing was done to contravene the rules pertaining to protected buildings but after examination they felt it would be too difficult to adapt the church to a library – while the adjoining element of the structure which had accommodated the living quarters of the Friars on Lower Bedford Row would be easier to adapt.”
Mr Coady also referred to concerts given by the Irish Chamber Orchestra in the church building.
“But it’s difficult to get the right package for this very generous gift from the Franciscan Order and there would be costs associated with heating and maintenance of the building, especially in relation to its protected building status, and the college couldn’t say it could take on all these liabilities.
“If the city council were to take on the Friary and the Jesuit Church, what rental would they have to charge to meet their maintenance costs?”
Cllr Michael Hourigan, chair of the council’s Cultural Strategic Policy Committee, told the Limerick Post he will be raising the issue with the city manager, Tom Mackey.
Eamonn Conway, Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College, was not available for comment.
