Plans have been announced to restore a historic railway building on the Limerick Greenway.

The 19th century Railway Goods Shed at Rathkeale will be redeveloped as the centre piece of a new visitor facilities project due to begin on Monday 03 April.

The Limerick Greenway Hub @ Rathkeale is one of a series of projects to be undertaken by Limerick City and County Council aimed at further enhancing the first-class network of visitor facilities along the popular Limerick Greenway. 

The historic railway building was constructed circa 1860-1870 as part of the Limerick to Tralee railway line. Once restored and repurposed, the Railway Goods Shed at Rathkeale will provide visitors to Limerick Greenway, the scenic 40km walking and cycling route in the West Limerick countryside, with new recreational facilities that have been planned with universal access to the fore.  

The Railway Goods Shed in Rathkeale will accommodate bike hire and new visitor facilities including toilets. A public realm area around the building will provide recreational space for locals, Greenway users and visitors to the town alike, featuring picnic benches for gatherings, a water point and a bike repair stand, all facilitating an excellent visitor experience around Limerick Greenway.  

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Part of the €1.9 million project to enhance visitor facilities in the Rathkeale Hub will include a newly upgraded car park providing mobility car parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points. Designed in harmony with the rich heritage of the town, the project on completion will complement the Irish Palatine Museum, housed in the adjoining former Railway Station House. 

Gordon Daly, Director of Services at Limerick City and County Council, commented: "We are very pleased to commence work on this exciting project in Rathkeale, reinforcing the link between Limerick Greenway and the rich built heritage of the town. Limerick Greenway is a precious amenity for local, national and international visitors and we are committed to ongoing works to restore historic gems such as the Railway Goods Shed, and to enhance services at each of the visitor hubs along the route. 

"Development of the Limerick Greenway Hub @Rathkeale is a key strategic project for Limerick City and County Council and will support the further development of Limerick Greenway and the town of Rathkeale to make a positive impact regionally, with social and economic benefits. With plans in place for an active travel link to the town it will become a major focal point."

The €1.9m project to enhance visitor facilities in the Rathkeale Hub is managed by Limerick City and County Council with a multidisciplinary design team appointed to deliver the project, led by the Architectural firm Feeney McMahon Architects who are a Limerick based company. The appointed building contractor, Thomas Nolan & Sons has already completed conservation works on Ardagh and Barnagh Station Houses for Limerick City and County Council. 

The expected completion date is December 2023 and the project has been funded by Limerick City and County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and The Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.