2024 Programme, Placemaking, Reimagine, Talk
Reimagine Session: Creating a Fundraising Plan
30.10.24
04.10.24-05.10.24
Event Information
Event Information
New Life for Old Buildings in Limerick: First Steps: No Finance, No Project
Limerick, Ireland
04.10.24-05.10.24
Booking required
New Life for Old Buildings is a national programme about the future of buildings that are already built. It is developed and delivered by the Irish Architecture Foundation as part of Reimagine, the IAF’s placemaking programme. Our aim is to empower people determined to transform Ireland’s vacant buildings into homes by providing opportunities for on-the-ground learning and knowledge exchange, building a national network of individuals determined to breathe new life into old buildings.
In 2024, the New Life for Old Buildings programme will take place in Limerick in partnership with our anchor venue, the Hunt Museum. First Steps: No Finance, No Project is the second of a number of Limerick based walks, talks, clinics, and site visits events in 2024 and 2025. The 2024 programme is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
This weekend provides the opportunity to engage with essential financial and practical guidance and inspiration for those beginning their journey of breathing new life into old buildings. This is followed by our Saturday morning site visits to meet first-hand with the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes. These visits offer a rare opportunity to meet homeowners and experts who have successfully transformed, or are transforming, vacant properties into vibrant living spaces.
1. ‘Waste of Space: Vacant Limerick’, Friday 4 October, 17:30-19:00 (free)
Explore Limerick’s vacant buildings with local historian Dr Paul O’Brien, through a unique tour of the potential of under-utilised spaces in the city. Meeting and finishing at the Hunt Museum. Register for the Walking Tour.
2. Specialist Clinics Friday 4 October, 17:30-19:00, Hunt Museum (free)
Book in for informal chats and advice sessions with: 1. The Living City Initiative (represented by Grainne McMahon) 2. Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (represented by Nick Taaffe) 3. Local Authority Purchase and Renovations Loan (represented by Seamus Monaghan) 4. Limerick & District Credit Union (represented by Clodagh Hughes) 5. Limerick Vacancy and Grant Expert William Duffy from Derelict Limerick. Register for the Specialist Clinics.
3. Presentations, Friday 4 October, 19:00-20:15, The Captain’s Room, Hunt Museum (free)
Chaired by Dr. Paul O’Brien this series of talks looks at challenges and opportunities at the early stages of projects. This includes presentations from chartered quantity surveyor and Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland Nick Taaffe and Limerick City and County Council senior architect Gráinne McMahon from the Living City Initiative. Followed by complementary Drinks Reception and Networking. Register for the Presentations.
4. Site Visits, Saturday 5 October, 10:00-12:00 (€10)
Join us for site visits where we’ll meet first-hand the people of Limerick who are at different stages of converting vacant buildings into homes. Register for the Site Visits.
This is the second of three New Life for Old Buildings weekends in Limerick this autumn. Save the dates for
New Life for Old Buildings is a key part of the IAF’s mission to inspire new ways of thinking about the built environment and turning challenges into opportunities for community-driven change. We extend our gratitude to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for funding this programme and to all of our project and venue partners and contributors for making this valuable work possible.
Photo credit: Deirdre Power for the IAF.
Dr Paul O’Brien is a historian and lecturer at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. His publications include The Glynns of Kilrush, County Clare, 1811–1940: Family, business and politics (2019). He is the editor of the North Munster Antiquarian Journal and also serves on the Council of Europa Nostra.
He recently assessed the Heritage Council’s ‘Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme’ for Europa Nostra. In March 2024, the scheme was awarded the prestigious European Heritage Award 2024. Dr O’Brien has contributed to radio and television programmes for RTÉ and the BBC.
Gráinne Mc Mahon is an award winning architect who studied at University College Dublin, School of Architecture and University of Venice. She is currently senior architect at Limerick City and County Council where she co-leads the Living City Initiative.
She has worked for many years in Italy with internationally acclaimed Architect Renzo Piano. She was also project architect on public buildings in Russia, Italy and France. Now based in Clonlara, she has also completed many refurbishments of listed period residences and stud farms throughout Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary.
30.10.24
12.10.24-20.10.24