JP McManus meets councillors to 'clear the record' on Limerick rugby experience

Limerick councillors 'surprised' to hear chronology of events leading up to the closure of the attraction

JP McManus arriving at Limerick County Council Buildings in Dooradoyle for a meeting about the International Rugby Experience. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Limerick councillors say they were “surprised” to hear the chronology of events leading up to the closure of the International Rugby Experience (IRE), after JP McManus “cleared the record” during a private meeting.

Mr McManus met with the councillors for a “workshop” to present the International Rugby Experience’s “side of things”. 

It is understood he initially read from a prepared speech and told councillors he had no intention to proceed “any further discussions” with the council regarding his gift.

He later on indicated he would reconsider, after being asked to by some councillors.

According to one councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, “nothing was confirmed either way".

“We could be told a definitive no in the weeks to come,” they said.

The attraction, which welcomed 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open, closed its doors in December 2024, leading to the loss of 50 jobs.

Mr McManus had offered the €30m building and additional funding of €1.2m to Limerick City and County Council — a gesture which had been refused by the council following worries about the costs of operating the attraction.

It is understood that the aim is for the building to be used as a civic space in the future.

According to some councillors, the situation was handled very poorly and there was “misinformation” on what was happening.

Elisa O’Donovan said she and her fellow councillors were not made aware or informed of the gift proposed by Mr McManus until a decision was already made by the council to decline the offer.

After the meeting with Mr McManus, she said: “It was a very productive workshop. We got a lot of clarification and answers on questions regarding the gifting of the IRE as a civic space for the people of Limerick.

“I believe that there is a commitment from Limerick council now for a positive way forward to use this gift as a central civic space for Limerick City.

Ms O’Donovan stood by comments she made earlier, saying that there was “a real level of misinformation” in relation to previous discourse.

According to several councillors, the costs and figures which would be needed to run the building were “not discussed”.

A councillor who wished to remain anonymous said there was “little to no anger” in the room during the meeting.

“It was a very regretful tone on all sides. The communication between the parties in springtime last year changed momentum and the energy dissipated. In my own view, it was handled badly. Councillors were surprised to hear the chronology of events,” they said.

The councillor added there were “no outcomes” to the meeting and it was “all very much about the chain of events”.

They just wanted to clear the record and present their side of things.

It is understood Mr McManus and members of his family were there for about three hours, with councillors holding a follow-up meeting for an extra hour to discuss the workshop.

Earlier this week, Limerick Metropolitan District cathaoirleach Kieran O’Hanlon apologised to Mr McManus and his wife on behalf of councillors.

“I’m extremely disappointed and annoyed at the way the whole thing was handled,” he said. “We have one of the biggest gifts coming to us from one of the greatest people Limerick ever had — Mr McManus. Not only did we refuse it, but we insulted the McManus family in the process.” 

Due to prior commitments, Limerick mayor John Moran could not attend the meeting but said he recently had a meeting with Mr McManus and members of his family.

Mr Moran had previously made it clear he wished a solution could be found to the closure of the museum, and had previously said he was willing to offer €300,000 from his mayoral fund — an offer which was rejected by the International Rugby Experience.