“Nicholas Street and King John’s Castle are intrinsically linked.”
IT’S official – construction crews will be on site by August to commence work on a radical refurbishment of King John’s Castle.
With just one exception, city councillors have voted in favour of the project, which is also the catalyst for a redevelopment of Nicholas Street.
Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development Division Manager has dispelled any lingering doubt that the street, acknowledged as “the heart of the city’s medieval quarter,” will be excluded from the castle project.
“Nicholas Street and King John’s Castle are like Siamese twins – they are intrinsically linked and we will commence meetings with the street’s traders next week,” he told the Limerick Post.
“This project – we’ve received €5million government funding for the castle and will secure more money for the street, is sending out a powerful message that Limerick is open for investment – it will act as a catalyst to attract in retail and industrial investment.”
Despite the concerns of a number of heritage groups, individuals and city councillors regarding retention of the glass and steel fronted Interpretative Centre on Nicholas Street, all but Cllr Maurice Quinlivan this week approved planning permission for the project.
Conceding that he has been particularly critical of the plans Cllr John Gilligan says:
“The castle project must be done in tandem with the development of Nicholas Street – I believe that work on the street will happen in a relatively short period of time – one can’t go without the other.”
He says there are 130 steps leading up to the entrance to Cardiff Castle,
“This is much steeper than the Castle Street entrance to our castle – yet thousands of people visit Cardiff Castle all the time. I’m glad that Shannon Development is now actively considering using the flight of steps on Castle Street as the main entrance to King John’s – that’s the romantic looking entrance that people want when visiting a medieval castle.”
Welcoming the opportunity now available to refurbish Nicholas Street “which is the vitally strategic area at the heart of medieval Limerick, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said that full consultation with the residents and traders of the street is vital.”
Cllr Pat Kennedy criticised the omission of a banqueting hall from the castle refurbishment and Cllr Quinlivan said it is essential that “we get Nicholas Street fixed.
“It is imperative that we get it right for the tourists, for the traders and for everyone using it,” he said.
Mr Prendergast is confident that the remodelled castle, which will celebrate its 800th birthday next year, will be open for business by early summer 2012.
