Limerick's International Rugby Experience to close permanently by end of this year

The attraction opened its doors in May 2023

Jonathan Sexton at the opening of the International Rugby Experience in Limerick. File Picture: Diarmuid Greene

Limerick’s International Rugby Experience has confirmed it will close its doors by the end of this year, just 18 months after opening. 

The 30,000sq ft six-storey museum, based in Limerick City Centre, will officially cease operations permanently and close to the public by December 23, 2024.

It is understood around 50 people are employed at the business, which officially opened its doors in May 2023 at a glitzy event with a host of world rugby stars.

All existing bookings for the venue will be honoured up until the closure date, including visits to Santa’s Secret Workshop and other booked events.

Those with bookings for later dates will have their payments refunded in full.

The experience has brought in over 60,000 visitors to Limerick city since its opening in May last year and has delivered an estimated €7.8m boost to the local economy in that period.

Interiors at the International Rugby Experience, Limerick. File Picture: Paul Lehane

The museum was initially funded through a €30m investment by the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.

However, in April of this year, the Irish Examiner reported that businessman JP McManus had donated the museum to Limerick City and County Council.

This gift, along with a €1.2m donation, was intended to help visitor footfall within Limerick city centre.

The proposed offer would see the building free to be used for any civic purpose by Limerick City and County Council after 2028.

The project, designed as a not-for-profit charitable venture, was constructed and delivered without state support, funding or grant aid.

The building was designed by architect Níall McLaughlin and has been recognised internationally for its design and structure.

In a statement, the Irish Rugby Experience (IRE) shared they have been “unable to advance the process with the Council” and in turn have taken the “difficult decision” to close the business.

A spokesperson for the IRE thanked rugby legends Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood, describing the pair as “unselfish in their fantastic assistance to the project since the concept stage”.

“The IRE thanks its wonderful staff, and the people of Limerick and beyond, for supporting the venture and the effort to help to bring life back to the city centre."

Limerick City and County Council said it was “disappointed” by the news.

“We 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 John’s Castle,” the council stated.

“Following 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.

“Despite 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.”