Why Limerick?
- 450,927people within a 60 min drive
- Urban population: 100,000
- Commercial property prices 30% - 50% less than rivals
- Limerick awarded European City of the Future*
- 25 minutes from Shannon International Airport
- Foynes: Ireland's Largest bulk port. Designated European Ten-T core port. Can cater for vessels up to 200,000dwt
- 2 hours motorway drive to Dublin
- 45% population <35 years
- 12,000 active enterprises
- 3,000 new jobs announced in 2018
- 63% fall in Live Register Oct 2010 - Dec 2018
- 5.8% unemployment rate in Mid-West (Q4 2018)
*reference to 2018/2019 FDI Magazine published by FDI Intelligence
Growing Limerick
- Between 2017 and 2018 investment in Limerick grew by 46.1%
- New and existing companies have invested a total of €2.2 billion in Limerick since 2013
- Fastest growing region from FDI outside the capital
- Limerick undergoing €1bn investment in new enterprise and property infrastructure
- 820 new start-ups recorded in 2018 - a 14.8% YoY rise
- 58 IDA-backed firms with Limerick base
- Incubation space
- Financial supports for international & national start-ups available (LEO, EI IDA)
- Top 10 city to invest in Europe * 6th Global 'Best to Invest' Report - Site Selection Magazine 2014
- Commercial property prices 30% more competitive than rival European cities
Education & Talent
- 3 prestigious third level academic institutions
- 25,000 student population
- 6,000 graduates per year
- 72% of LIT graduates remain in region
- #1 best secondary school in the country
- Customised courses delivered in response to the needs of industry e.g. precision engineering
- 62% of 30-34 year olds have completed third level education
- LSAD – one of the top 50 fashion colleges in the world
Enterprise Eco System
- 7 start-up companies raised €73M in 2017
- Innovative co-working spaces including Workbench and Engine
- 8 Community Enterprise Centres
- 4 Incubators
- 1 Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway
- 3 Enterprise Ireland/IDA Technology Centres
- 3 SFI Research Centres
- Multiple dedicated R&D Units, Groups and Centres
- Dedicated innovation company – Innovate Limerick
- Dedicated Start-up Fund
Living in Limerick
- Limerick (€21,979) has the highest estimated disposable income per person outside of Dublin (€24,061)
- 4th most affordable place to buy a home out of 297 cities*
- €192,229 median house price (Dec 2018)
- €1,171 Average rent in Limerick City (Q4 2018)
- Relatively affordable residential rents
- 44% lower residential rental costs compared to Dublin (2017 Q3)**
- Limerick city dwellers spend just 30% of their after-tax income on rent compared to 55% of take-home pay for Dublin occupants
- Low congestion levels
- Short commute times
- Average commute time 24 minutes
- Avail of living city initiative tax incentive scheme
- Walkable compact city
- Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way
- 93% of professionals who moved to the Mid-West for career opportunities are much happier with their location
Limerick for Play
- First National City of Culture
- Up to 100 festivals a year
- Former European City of Sport
- Ireland’s only biennial of contemporary art - EVA International
- Limerick School of Art and Design - Top 50 fashion schools in the world
- Home of Munster Rugby - Thomond Park
- Gaelic Grounds - 50,000 capacity
- Ireland’s sporting campus - UL Sport
- Home to venues including University Concert Hall, Lime Tree Theatre, Belltable Theatre, Big Top and Dolan’s Warehouse
- Cultural institutes include Limerick City Gallery of Art, RTE Lyric FM, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the World Academy of Music and Dance
- Home to significant historical sites including King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral
- Media hub for Film and TV - Troy Studios
- Over 1000 sports clubs
- Multi million euro redevelopment of O’Connell Street (LUCROC Project)
- Prime retail destination