THRIVE is igniting new life into Nicholas Street. Through the redevelopment of the Fireplace Site at 35-39 Nicholas Street, a once-overlooked space becomes a vibrant hub for culture, creativity and connection, bringing people and ideas together in the heart of medieval Limerick.
THRIVE is co‑funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027.
THRIVE Strand 1
Limerick City and County Council secured approximately €200,000 under THRIVE Strand 1 (Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme) to support regeneration within the Walled Town of King’s Island, Limerick City.
Strand 1 funding supported:
- The enhancement of the King’s Island Walled Town Framework
- The identification of heritage projects focused on conservation, adaptive reuse, and reducing vacancy
- The development of investment‑ready heritage projects, with one advanced to Strand 2 readiness
THRIVE places communities at the centre of planning and design, reflecting and embracing the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. A series of public engagement and co‑design events ensured the strategy was shaped by local voices.
The enhanced strategy identified Nicholas Street as a key regeneration corridor linking King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral. Among the priority sites, the Fireplace Site (35–39 Nicholas Street) emerged as a standout opportunity due to its archaeological significance, prominent location, and potential to drive activity. Strand 1 funding enabled detailed appraisal, early design, and stakeholder engagement, positioning the site to progress to capital funding.
THRIVE Strand 2
THRIVE Strand 2 provides between €2m and €7m to refurbish and adapt vacant or derelict heritage buildings in town centres.
In September 2025, the Fireplace Site secured over €6.56m in Strand 2 funding to develop a Design and Innovation Hub at the heart of Nicholas Street. The project will:
- Restore the medieval fireplace and historic fabric
- Introduce artists’ studios, creative workspaces, exhibition and retail space, and a café
- Act as a cultural, social, and economic anchor for King’s Island’s medieval quarter
Together, Strand 1 and Strand 2 demonstrate the full THRIVE journey from strategic planning to on‑the‑ground delivery, with the Fireplace Site acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration across Nicholas Street and King’s Island.
King’s Island Walled Town Integrated Urban Strategy
Originally published in April 2024, the King’s Island Walled Town Framework identified priority projects, streets, and public spaces to guide future investment.
Following Strand 1 funding, an extensive programme of public engagement (August–November 2024) refined and strengthened the framework, resulting in the King’s Island Walled Town Integrated Urban Strategy as a shared vision for sustainable regeneration that respects the area’s rich heritage.
The goal is to balance brownfield regeneration and adaptive reuse while addressing vacancy and dereliction and protecting archaeological assets.
The vision is a vibrant, mixed‑use neighbourhood that supports living, working, culture, tourism, quality food and retail, and enhanced visitor experiences, aligned with wider spatial and development plans.