In accordance with Part XI of the (Planning and Development) Act 2000 (as amended) and Part VIII, Article 81 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Limerick City and County Council propose to develop a Tourist Hostel at the former Bank of Ireland, The Square, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.
The development will consist of: the change of use of the bank at ground floor and the residential unit at first and second floors to a hostel; internal reconfiguration to accommodate sanitary and self-catering facilities; internal reconfiguration to provide a side access to secure bicycle and bin storage areas; replacement of shopfront glazing with retention of surrounding mosaic tiles; installation of a metal-framed glazed roof canopy to the first floor terrace; installation of photovoltaic panels to the rear south-facing roof; and connection to all existing services.
In accordance with Article 120(1)(b)(i) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Local Authority has carried out a screening for environmental impact assessment of the proposal. Having regard to the information specified under Schedule 7A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) and based on an examination of the nature, size and location of the development, it is determined that there is no likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development.
Nonetheless, a person may within 4 weeks from the date of the notice, apply to An Coimisiún Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether this development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. Such a submission should be addressed to the Secretary, An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.
Limerick City and County Council in accordance with the requirements of Article 250(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) has carried out an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report and has determined that a full Appropriate Assessment is not required in respect of the proposed development.
Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy from 19/03/2026 up to and including 20/04/2026 at, Limerick City and County Council, Merchant's Quay, Limerick between 9a.m. - 5p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) and at the Limerick City and County Council Offices, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), at Áras William Smith O’Brien, Newcastle West Municipal District Office, Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick between 9a.m. - 4p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) and at Abbeyfeale Library, Bridge Street, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick between 10 a.m. – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday (excluding Bank Holidays). Plans and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection online during the above timeframes at https://planning.localgov.ie
Submissions and observations in relation to the proposed development, dealing with proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated may be made:
- In writing to Rural Development, Limerick City and County Council Offices, Merchants Quay, Limerick.
- By email to planning@limerick.ie
- Online at https://planning.localgov.ie
Submissions must be received on or before 4pm on the 06/05/2026.
Note: Only submissions made in the above manner will be considered as valid submissions for the purposes of the Mayor’s Report to be presented to Council.
Brian McCarthy,
Director of Service, Regeneration, Community, Sport and Rural Development
Limerick City and County Council,
Merchant’s Quay,
Limerick
