Limerick City and County Council has welcomed the selection of the THRIVE Fireplace Site Project as one of six Irish case studies for “Unlocking Compact Cities”, a research initiative led by the URBACT Programme. The study is being undertaken in the context of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Delivered in coordination with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Regional Assemblies, the research explores how regeneration projects are developed and delivered in practice. It focuses on town centre regeneration, compact growth, the reuse of vacant or underutilised buildings, and alignment with the principles of the New European Bauhaus.
As part of the study, an expert team appointed by URBACT will visit Limerick to engage with Council staff involved in the THRIVE project and other EU-funded programmes. The case study will examine governance, funding, stakeholder and citizen engagement, and delivery experience, helping to inform future regeneration programmes at both national and European level.
The Fireplace Site Project received €6.56 million in September 2025, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027. The project will see the regeneration of 35–39 Nicholas Street, incorporating a significant medieval fireplace and adjoining historic structures into a new Design and Innovation Hub.
These historic features, including the surviving fireplace and medieval walls, will be carefully conserved and presented as a central element of the development, ensuring the site’s history is preserved and accessible to the public.
The completed development will include studios, exhibition and retail space, and a café, creating a vibrant destination in the heart of King’s Island.
Welcoming the selection, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said:
“The inclusion of the THRIVE Fireplace Site Project as a URBACT case study is the latest boost to our plans to ignite a wider revival of Nicholas Street. We want our medieval quarter to be reimagined as vibrant, living neighbourhoods that, while being mindful of their heritage, also create equal opportunity for future generations. I'm really pleased that our approach to Nicholas St is helping shape wider European thinking as Ireland prepares for its Presidency of the Council of the EU. We look forward to contributing to the exchange of learning that this study will support.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery said:
“From a project perspective, the Fireplace Site highlights the importance of careful design and collaboration in working with heritage. The integration of the medieval fabric including the fireplace and surviving walls within a contemporary Design and Innovation Hub will create a distinctive and engaging space for users and visitors alike.”
Dr. Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council, said:
“This project is about taking a complex historic site and bringing it forward as a high-quality, usable space in the heart of the city. It demonstrates how strategic investment, including EU funding, can unlock challenging sites and turn them into active, sustainable assets.”
Findings from the research will inform future THRIVE programme calls in Ireland and contribute to wider EU‑level policy discussions on sustainable urban development.
About URBACT
URBACT is a European Union programme that supports cities to work together to develop sustainable, integrated urban solutions. It enables local authorities and stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange best practice and build capacity in areas such as climate action, social inclusion, mobility and economic development. Through transnational networks, cities collaborate on common challenges, test new approaches, and bring learning back to strengthen local policy and delivery on the ground.
