Boost for Limerick as theatre to reopen in six months after €1.26m renovation

LIMERICK city centre, which has been going through difficult trading times, got an artistic lift yesterday with news that the Belltable theatre and arts centre will reopen within the next six months following a €1.26 million refurbishment.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely, along with Minister of State Peter Power and other public figures were yesterday given a tour of the in-progress reconstruction.

Cllr Kiely said: “Limerick City Council are fully behind this project and will provide all the necessary resources and we have assured the board of the Belltable of this.”

Mr Power said the reopening will give a timely boost to the city centre. “The Department of Tourism Sport and Culture have contributed €882,000 towards the cost of the redevelopment of the Belltable.

“It is great that the board were not tempted to move to a green field site, but decided to retain the present structure, especially the facade on O’Connell Street.

“I now hope the Belltable, when it reopens, will help breathe new life into the city centre, which is experiencing difficult times at present.”

Peter McNamara, chief executive of the Belltable, said they expect the work to be completed by November.

“This is the most fundamental renovation of the Belltable since it opened in 2001. When we reopen the theatre will have a capacity

of 220. The old theatre had a capacity of 257, but this had been reduced by 50 for health and safety reasons.”

The architect, John Keogan, was responsible for the redesign of the Abbey Theatre.

Gillian Fenton, public relations manager, said that their replacement theatre at Cecil Street, the Red Cross hall, had restricted them with regards to seating and back staff facilities.

“Four professional groups have formed the Limerick Theatre Hub and this will move into the Belltable when we reopen.

“It will be fantastic to get back here and our artistic director, Joanne Beirne is very excited about the reopening,” she said.