Re: Re: well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

The gardens seem to have a really interesting history,these are bits and pieces i came across on the web, they must ‘ve been pretty impressive in their day!

The Hanging gardens were built in 1808 by William Roche Esq., M.P, a Limerick banker, to the rear of his residence at 99 George’s Street – now O’Connell Street at an expense of £15,000. These gardens form a singular ornament to the town; they are raised on ranges of arches of various elevation, from 25 to 40 feet. The vaults thus formed being converted into store-houses for wine, spirits and other goods. On this foundation are elevated terraces, the highest of which has a range of hothouses, with greenhouses at the angles. By means of glass houses, heated by ingenious flues, Roche grew exotic fruits like oranges, grapes and pineapples in one of the gardens. The façade of these gardens extends about 200 feet, and the top of the highest terrace, which is 70 feet above the street, commands a most extensive prospect of the city and the Shannon.

Although his fellow citizens nicknamed the gardens ‘Roche’s Folly’, Roche was a shrewd businessman.
Later he profitably sold the vaults underneath the supporting arches to the Revenue Commissioners as a bonded stores for £10,000 and a rent of £500 per annum. Indeed during the emergency, the Department of Defence, singled out the building as an ideal air raid shelter.