Part funding of €11.65 million has been allocated to the Market Quarter and Cruises Street Public Realm Upgrades Project through the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) to realise the long-term ambition and strategic goal of increasing investment, occupancy, development and economic growth in the Market Quarter by providing a high-quality public realm that supports the operations of The Milk Market and other local businesses.
The project site is strategically positioned to become a focal point for the city, benefiting from projects such as Opera Square, the Arthur’s Quay Framework, O’Connell Street Upgrades, and the City Centre Wayfinding & Orientation Signage Project, the Active Travel scheme on Mungret Street / High Street, the Milk Market Redevelopment and the implementation of a Food Hub at the Milk Market. The Market Quarter and Cruise’s Street Public Realm Upgrades project will actively link the above sites, helping to increase footfall, vibrancy and promote a strong sense of place in the city centre as a whole.
The proposed works will include:
- Reduction in the width of carriageways to a minimum of 3.1m each and subsequent increase in footpath widths to prioritise pedestrians over vehicular traffic
- Introduction of a shared surface, where the pedestrian zones and carriageway will be at the same level, on Robert Street, Cornmarket Row, Carr Street, High Street and parts of Denmark Street, Ellen Street, Mungret Court and Mungret Street
- Conversion of junctions in some locations within the proposed development boundary to raised table junctions, which will act as traffic calming measures
- Removal of on-street parking in certain locations and relocation of taxi-ranks, loading bays and accessible parking bays to other locations within the proposed development boundary to provide wider footpaths and pedestrian zones, additional casual trading areas, outdoor dining and additional amenity spaces
- Provision of street furniture including seating areas, trees, planting, bicycle stands, bollards, litter bins, public lighting and signage
- Relocating overhead utilities underground to declutter the streetscape
- Provision of interpretive signage and paving to represent the area’s history and built heritage
The proposed streets to be redeveloped include:
| Back Lane | Little Ellen Street | Michael Street |
| Market Alley | Ellen Street | High Street |
| Mungret Court | Mungret Street | Cornmarket Row |
| Carr Street | Robert Street | Upper Denmark Street |
| Denmark Street | Chapel Street & Cruises Street | Todd's Bow |
In July 2025, the Part 8 application for the project was considered and approved by the Elected Members of the Metropolitan District of Limerick City following an in-depth stakeholder engagement and public consultation process. The project is now being progressed to detailed design stage with an anticipated construction commencement date of Q3 2026.