well what about the developments popping up in the shannonside ?

The existing building could just be fixed up and an alternate use found if the boat club goes under.

I see no need to bung an ugly monstrousity into the middle of the bridge, or indeed put any other building. The existing boathouse etc. is interruption enough to the line of the bridge and view down the river.

There’s no shortage of sensible locations for developments in the city centre.

@vkid wrote:

Probably going to get slated here but its my opinion.

While protected, those structures just look like old sheds to me. NOthing particularly beautiful about either structure on that side of the bridge. The Boat house itself is a nice building externally but the two red brick structures are pretty poor imo. As far as I can see neither really interact with the river/bridge or city in any way. They are hidden when driving across the bridge, they look like crap from the city side and you would barely notice them from the Shannon bridge. Internally there is also very little to retain or restore.

I also can’t see any worthwhile uses for them as they stand that would really bring any real benefit to the city. One was used as a music venue for some time and while it served a purpose for a small few, it was not the right place for a music venue of that nature. Internally you would never, ever think you were in a protected structure. It was like a dingy GAA club. If there are any original features in there they are well hidden.

Overall I really dont think they add anything amazing to the city or river in their current form. While I would like to see some devlopment on the site I think it needs to be sympathetic to the boat house itself, i’m not too worried about the two red brick structures…If the right building was proposed for the site, and I think someone with vision could propose something a bit better than what is currently on the table, I would have no objection to these being demolished OR in fact, moving them and reconstructing them somewhere they may be of more value to the city. Buildings this size have been moved and reconstructed many times,,,,why not this?

I’m all for preservation/conservation but not for the sake of it and I think this is a building that really doesnt merit so much attention. There is much more interesting buildings in the city that deserve more attention than this is getting..

Just my opinion though

But what do think of what’s proposed?

Of course, if the boatclub moved, the actual boat shed itself would make a pretty nifty venue imo. It’d be great for intimate gigs. The smaller club house could remain as a bar or coffee house or anything. Plenty of places for outdoor seating for example.

To me, the talk of the boatclub going to wall is premature to say the least.

I would love to have seen the Boatclub re-engage with the city in a meaningful way, how, by moving to the soon to be regenerated Island field. I know it’s a little off the wall, but it makes sense. They have no members or facilities, the regeneration could provide then with facilities on the river as part of it’s remit. The number of apartments and houses proposed should utterly alter this area into something akin to Smithfield, namely, a healthy mix of middle class, students and council housing.

The Boatclub could be central to new sporting facilities built for the Island field. Imagine a Grove Island type development, only based around a rowing club, not a rugby club. I think with proper management, the locals would gain an established club, the club would gain a new area to attract members, the Government could pick up the tab for the development. All the reports I’ve read on the regeneration stress providing sporting facilities in these areas.

I’m not pretending it’s the ideal solution, but it’s better than what’s currently being proposed.

@Tuborg wrote:

I said it a few weeks back and I remain of the opinion that the proposal definitely has some merits. I actually like the glazed feature but the architects apppear to have given up on the rest of the structure with the all too predictable half arsed approach. Incidentally I came across a previously unseen CGI a few weeks back in the city leader showing the impact of the proposed structure from O Callaghan Strand. It looked absolutely hideous, much cruder than the other elevations we’ve been shown. I’ve searched for the image but its not available on the leader website or anywhere else for that matter!

At the moment 9 of the 17 councillors are reportedly against the proposed development. Just out of curiosity, if a clear cut decsion wasnt reached, who would ultimately have the final say? the city manager?

Saw that image too, I don’t think there’s really much doubt that the proposal is a flawed one (and I’m being charitable).

Afaik, majority rules on the council, but the city manager (who has been quite coy all through this) will probably try and streamroll it through.

He was the guy who felt building on Cleeves Bank/Westfields was a top notch idea too, luckily, the councillors pulled him on it before he could sell it. I’m sure he’s waiting for another chance to work some “development” there too.

We need a manager who realises the city is more than just facing the river. All well and good focusing on the river, but areas like Parnell st and Roches st. are straight out of a neon Angela’s ashes. He should focus a little more on the entire city.

Cologne Mike: Here we go again… I’d forgotten that message – clearly you haven’t. My comment was just that, a comment, not directed at you. There is nothing worse than suggesting something out of context from somewhere else; there is simply no equivalent site in Glasgow.
Try to avoid turning everything into a personal attack.

I think that there is an additional step needed when discussing what we should do with the boathouse. I think that we need to decide on exactly what we want built here, before we begin commenting on any designs. This is such a prominent site in the city, that I think that we need to be happy with the buildings future use, and not just what it looks like.

I’m not very happy about the idea of a scheme dominated by exclusive, private apartments. Sure, there may be a trade-off with a new boathouse being included, but again, I’m not happy that a boat club will attract the volume of membership to justify such a prominent position.

If done right, it could be the one place in the city where you really feel the impact of the river. Sitting there, you have the water to the left and right of you. But now for the unfortunate bit: the only way to maximise footfall in this area and to make it available and accessible to as many people as possible is by minimising the “for profit” developer-led component. And if we do that, I don’t believe that there will be enough of a financial imperative to build anything.

For all our talk of the Celtic tiger, have we one public building in Limerick that has gone up over the last ten years? The concert hall is part of UL, the county council offices are just that – offices. Would it be too much to hope that this could be the new location for the Library, now that the Granary is being taken into the Opera development? Along with a really decent coffeeshop/restaurant?

Anyway, here’s a couple of shots of PLOT’s Maritime Youth Centre in Copenhagen. It’s somewhat low-key, it keeps its public space…. Just an idea.

@johnglas wrote:

Try to avoid turning everything into a personal attack.

True johnglas, my behaviour is akin to a “Spam Blocker”! 😀

@massamann wrote:

Anyway, here’s a couple of shots of PLOT’s Maritime Youth Centre in Copenhagen. It’s somewhat low-key, it keeps its public space…. Just an idea.

Interesting images massamann. 😎

That would be a clean break with tradition, a Maritime Youth Centre instead of A Rowing Club! A Maritime theme for the pier would be totally dedicated to use the river as a recreational water resource.

Maybe moor a tall-ship (maritime museum) along the boat club side of the pier and another large barge type of vessel (restaurant) docked opposite it at Harvey’s quay. However getting these two ships lifted over the Condell bridge would be a quite an act.

Massamann, I can see the city kids using it as our second river front skateboard park!

there is simply no equivalent site in Glasgow

By the way the tall ship museum image I used here is from your part of the woods.

No. Your behaviour is akin to a spoiled child who has to have his own way and the last word; I may be spam, you are certainly not caviare. The tall ship (the Glenlee) is berthed alongside and parallel to a quayside wall, so there’s no comparison.

Vkid: sense at last; couldn’t agree more. I’m an outsider taking an interest, not mounting personal attacks or defending my position to the last ditch. From what I remember of Limerick, it has agreat urban feel, with probably an undeserved reputation for violence, a bit like Glasgow in fact.

Former Limerick Savings Bank (The Stone Jug)

08188

Sarsfield Credit Union

Planning permission to renovate, refurbish and & extend the former Limerick Savings Bank, Glentworth Street/ Catherine Street, Limerick.

Limerick Savings Bank,
Glentworth/ Catherine Street,
Limerick.

Sarsfield credit union bought the building from its previous owners Permanent TSB back in early 2007 and are to re-locate from their current premises next to the Belltable on O Connell Street. The building dates from c.1840 and started out as the Cork & Limerick Savings Bank.

@vkid wrote:

In another location yes..but in its current spot a music venue is not suitable. When it was used as one on several occasions there were drunk kids literally falling onto the busiest bridge in the city..not to tarnish all who went there with that brush but it was a common occurence in my own experience. Unless proper access is sorted its uses are limited. BUT i do agree that a suitable use should be agreed on before a building design is decided on. Its a decent size site overall so something worthwhile is very possible..I personally think a venue/coffee shop would be a complete waste of this site.

AS for what i think of the current proposal, i like some elements (the glass front – albeit too high) and dislike some (side profiles and lack of windows).

Personally I would like to see UL have one of their smaller faculties use this site…maybe with imput from the School of Arhitecture..It would bring the University into the heart of the city(sorely lacking) and really add something to the city..A coffee shop would not have the same effect imo.If the city needs a music venue i’d prefer to see the resoration of the long closed Limerick Athenaeum(Theatre Royal)

The School of Architecture is moving into Kings Island for 4th and 5th year design studio, the first class will be moving in at the start of September. Actually, the whole school might be out there for a week or two, not sure yet. They’re going into St.Munchin’s church.

Although your proposal sounds quite interesting also. There were a few different options and locations for the school, none of which was to construct a new building however (afaik)