Limerick’s 30,000 sq. ft International Rugby Experience is on schedule to open its doors in Autumn 2022. At €30 million, the project is funded by the JP McManus Charitable Entities and expects to attract 100,000 visitors per annum.
The latest images have also been released, showing the scale of the development at 40-41 O’Connell Street, Limerick city. The Experience spaces will form a journey through the building, taking visitors from the grassroots of rugby, through training, the importance of determination and skill, the role of the wider team, culminating in the greatest rugby moments on the international stage.
An array of rugby legends will feature in the Experience, including Dan Carter, Maggie Alphonsi, Willie John McBride, Joy Neville, and Nigel Owens. There will be six main experience spaces, each with a different character and proposition. The stories in each space are underpinned by the world rugby values of passion, discipline, integrity, solidarity and respect. As visitors ascend through the building they will learn about each value and its importance to the game.
The seven-story building is one of the most exciting designs ever proposed for Limerick city. The finished project will also include spaces for the community to enjoy and for businesses to meet.
A brand-new website has also been launched today at www.internationalrugbyexperience.com. The website will continue to be populated with information as the opening date draws closer. A ticket booking system will be live on the website in 2022. Social media accounts have also gone live and will be regularly updated.
International Rugby Experience CEO, Barry Hannon, said the new development can only help to enhance the Mid-West’s appeal to overseas visitors: “We are excited about bringing this fun, family-friendly, interactive experience to life in the heart of Limerick city. The sport of rugby union has many unique stories to tell and we are eagerly anticipating expressing them in a state-of-the-art, audio-visual, interactive form”.
“The Experience will appeal to avid rugby fans, future fans and family fun-seekers alike as there is truly something for everyone due to the sheer quality of the exhibition, curated by Event Communications. The architectural magnificence of the building will be an attraction in itself and we are looking forward to it living in the city centre and complementing the broad tourism offering Limerick already exhibits.”