Limerick City and County Council has completed the acquisition of a key city centre site on Wickham Street that is set to be transformed into a new public pocket park celebrating the area's unique Pigtown heritage.
The site is located at numbers 20-24 Wickham Street at its junction with Lower Gerald Griffin Street. At the time of acquisition, the site had been fenced off, inaccessible to the public and heavily overgrown. Limerick City and County Council has since advanced plans to bring the space back into productive use as an attractive new public amenity in the heart of the city.
Works are already underway by Tallybrooke Civil Engineering Ltd, with site clearance and wall stabilisation works completed. The pocket park is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, supported by €80,000 (ex VAT) in funding from the 2026 Mayoral Fund.
The new Wickham Street Pocket Park will provide a vibrant and multifunctional space for the neighbourhood. Themed around Limerick’s historic pork industry, proposed timber sculptures and murals will reflect on ‘Pig Town’ in a playful manner and create a focal point in the area.
A mix of age friendly seating, herbaceous and tree planting will provide a local oasis to all residents and visitors alike.
Draw Out have been commissioned to create the Pigtown-themed murals that will form a backdrop to the park, helping to celebrate and showcase an important part of Limerick's social and cultural heritage.
The design will also create a dog-friendly space, encouraging greater use of the area and bringing new life to a previously underutilised site.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, welcomed the completion of the acquisition, saying:
"This project demonstrates how relatively small interventions can make a significant difference to the quality and attractiveness of our city centre. By transforming a neglected and inaccessible site into a welcoming public space, we are creating another reason for people to spend time in the city while also celebrating an important piece of Limerick's heritage.
"The Mayoral Fund was established to support projects that can have a visible and positive impact on Limerick communities, and this pocket park is an excellent example of that ambition in action."
Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Tom Ruddle, added:
" What was once a fenced-off and overgrown site will soon become a vibrant public space that people can enjoy and take pride in. The incorporation of Pigtown heritage features will help tell the story of this area while creating a welcoming environment for residents, visitors and city centre workers alike."
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said:
"Through the successful acquisition of this site and the funding support provided through the Mayoral Fund, we are delivering a new city centre amenity that will contribute positively to the appearance, vitality and attractiveness of this part of Limerick.”
