Tenants of country’s largest social housing project describe homes as ’great Christmas present’

A total of 81 units have been built on a brownfield site close to Limerick city centre comprising of 57 units for elderly residents, with the remaining 24 being three-bedroom family homes.

Gerard and Christina Doran, who are both in their thirties, were among the first wave of new tenant families who were shown around their new homes over the past two days.

“We were nervous coming down, anxious as we didn’t know what to expect but this is amazing, so well laid out, Absolutely amazing, overwhelmed to be honest, It’s modern day living, unbelievable,” they said.

Fighting back the tears, the couple, who have one child, toured the house.

“We’re very happy, we’ve been living in O’Malley Park in Southill for more than 10 years. We had planned to buy a house but I lost my job in the recession so things didn’t work out for us," said Gerard.

“So this is a new start for us, absolutely fantastic, amazing. It’s great to have the opportunity to come down here and look at where we are going to be living. It’s a great Christmas present.”

Two of the homes facing the street are already lived in, while the remaining 79 units will be ready to be occupied by council tenants early in the new year.

As part of the allocation process, tenants were given a tour of their new homes by staff from the Community Support Services department of Limerick City and County Council.

Mary Kelly will be one of the Doran’s neighbours. She is moving from Ballinacurra Weston to her new home.

“I’m amazed, ecstatic, I couldn’t be happier. I’m delighted. I’m in my house now for 14 years and on the transfer list for the past seven years,” she said.

Her upstairs bedroom window looks onto the restored Limerick Clothing Factory building, which will now be the area’s community centre.

“I’m staying close to where I’m from, and the kids know the area. I think my new house is amazing, especially for my daughter as she will have her own room. It’s so well done, I couldn’t be happier.”

More than €18m has been spent on the site, which will also contain retail outlets and a community centre. It is part of the government’s ’Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homeless’.

The development, built by JJ Rhatigan Building Contractors, is also linked to the adjoining primary health care centre.

“I would like to wish all the new tenants moving in to Lord Edward Street all the very best in their new homes. The site has some fascinating history attached to it and I hope all the new tenants are happy and will have memorable times of their own there,” said Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Stephen Keary.

“Lord Edward Street has been one of the flagship social housing developments not only in Limerick but the whole country. We are very conscious of the need to provide our citizens with good quality housing, and Lord Edward Street certainly delivers on this.”

Seamus Hanrahan, Senior Architect with Limerick City and County Council said the history of the area influenced the development.

“The history of the Lord Edward Street site is fascinating and the Limerick Clothing Factory which operated from this site was reputed to be the largest clothing factory in the world at one point,” he said.

“The factory was very important to the social and economic life of the city. The new development incorporates the existing structures on the site. Working with the existing structures was an important decision early in the design process and has resulted in a development which is firmly rooted in the area and respects its history.”