Limerick billionaire JP McManusâs International Rugby Experience (IRE) announced this evening that it will cease operations, closing its doors on December 23rd this year, only a year after it opened.
It is understood around 50 people are employed at the business, which was officially opened in May 2023 by a host of world rugby stars.
The business said that its intention was âto gift this architecturally significant, award-winning building to the State and in so doing help with visitor footfall to Limerick city centreâ but that its negotiations with Limerick City and County Council could not be progressed.
The gift offer, along with a â¬1.2m donation, was made in October 2023, it said, with the building âfree to be used for any civic purposeâ by the council after 2028.
It said the entity being gifted âis entirely debt-freeâ but it was âunable to advance the process with the Council and so [we] have taken the difficult decision to close the businessâ.
The attraction said it would honour âall existing bookings for the venueâ up to December 23rd, including âvisits to Santaâs Secret Workshop and other booked eventsâ.
âThe doors will close permanently from that date and no new bookings are being taken with immediate effect. Bookings for subsequent dates will be refunded in full,â it said.
âThe experience has brought over 60,000 visitors to the city centre since it opened and has delivered an estimated â¬7.8 million boost to the local economy in that period.â
âThis project was a not-for-profit charitable venture and was constructed and delivered without State support, funding or grant aid.â
The IRE thanked retired Ireland rugby stars Paul OâConnell and Keith Wood âwho have been unselfish in their fantastic assistance to the project since the concept stageâ and its âwonderful staff, and the people of Limerick and beyond, for supporting the venture and the effort to help to bring life back to the city centreâ.
In response, Limerick City and County Council said it was âdisappointedâ.
âWe want to assure the public that every effort was made to secure the proposed transfer of the International Rugby Experience into Discover Limerick DAC, the Council-owned tourism company that manages other Limerick attractions including King Johnâs Castle,â the council stated.
âFollowing extensive due diligence, a detailed briefing was provided to the councillors of Limerick City and County Council, as recently as this week, to discuss the proposed transition. All possible avenues were explored including a report from an independent tourism expert consultant.
âDespite our best efforts, we were unable to secure a viable path forward as substantial operational and capital funding would be required from the council into the future.â
The building remains in the ownership of horse racing mogul JP McManus who owns a string of other properties including the five star Adare Manor hotel and spa resort which is to host the Ryder Cup golf tournament in 2027.
