LIMERICK City and County Council’s management team has been asked to explain why ‘Culture House’ in Pery Square is not open to the public.
City West Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin has called for the building to be made available to the people of Limerick.
No. 2 Pery Square was built under the auspices of the Pery Square Tontine Company in the late 18th century and Cllr Leddin says that the history associated with its construction and ownership over the last two centuries should be highlighted.
In recent years, the Council acquired ownership of the building from Limerick Civic Trust who had over a period of time extensively refurbished and upgraded the building back to its former glory.
“It is now home to the magnificent collection of 24 portraits of prominent Limerick people like Jim Kemmy, Paddy Reid and Ted Russell by freeman of Limerick and former president of the Royal Hibernian Academy Dr Tom Ryan.
“However, for some unknown reason, the building and despite being in public ownership is closed to the public,” claimed Cllr Leddin.
“As we continue to invest and build on our cultural offering, I am calling on senior management in the Council to make this building and the history associated with its construction and ownership over the last two centuries available to the people of Limerick.”
The ‘Pery Square Tontine Company’, which was made up of prominent business people including Edward Sexton Pery and members of the Barrington family, extended loans to the company in return for a yearly annuity to enable the houses along Pery Square to be built.
“I believe it is right and proper that the building is placed on a list of must visit places as part of our tourism and cultural offering. It must be re-opened and accessible to members of the public and visitors who spend time exploring our City streets,” he concluded.
A spokesman for Limerick City and County Council explained, “Culture House is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and the 24 portraits of Limerick personalities are available for viewing during this time by the public.
“Culture House is a working office and the staff are happy to accommodate requests by the public for viewing at arranged times,” he said.
by Alan Jacques
