Frank McCourt museum ‘to stay open’ despite sale order

The woman behind the Frank McCourt museum in Limerick has pledged to keep the visitor attraction open, despite the building housing the centre being put up for sale.

Artist Una Heaton was speaking after it emerged that the old Leamy’s school, where the author of Angela’s Ashes was taught as a child, has been put up for sale on the instructions of a bank.

Ms Heaton said: “The building is up for sale, but the museum will stay put. I have no further comment to make.”

Auctioneers Murphy Gubbins have put a guide price of €325,000 on the building which is located in Harstonge Street.

Ms Heaton gathered many personal items from the McCourt family and replicated the old classrooms in the museum, which has become a major visitor attraction.

Items on display in the museum include some of Frank McCourt’s ashes, the original manuscript of his second book Tis, his own personal copy of Angela’s Ashes, from which he did readings at various venues around the world, and the robes he wore when conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Limerick. A bronze bust of the author, unveiled by his wife, Ellen, stands at the entrance to the building.

The Georgian property dates back to the 1860s and the museum opened in 2011, two years after Frank McCourt’s death.

The building, known as Leamy House, was bought by John Heaton’s father Jack Heaton in 1956, three years after it closed as a school.

The Heatons opened a clothing factory in the building, employing more than 100 people.