Mirth ACT Development Project
The Associated Charities Trust is working in partnership to develop the project with the Dept. of Environment and Housing, the local authority Limerick City and County Council, the JP Mc Manus Fund and Clann Credo Social Fund. On the 25 July 2017 the Department of the Environment and Housing approved Capital Assistance Funding Grant to build the scheme. The development site loan has been reconfigured to allow its title to be free of legal charge in respect of loans to facilitate the Dept Capital Assistance Scheme.
The tender process to appoint the design team was handled by procurement services attached to the Housing Agency. The procurement process to appoint a builder was completed in 2021 but the appointed builder withdrew in October citing inflationary cost issues. Under procurement regulation the design team were directed to retender the project. In September 2022 the retender process was completed and a building main contractor was appointed. Work commenced on the Mirth Housing Project at the start of November 2022. The projected was completed to builders finish level and handed over to ACT at the end of November 2024.
In December 2024 ACT took over the property and commenced a programme of upgrading the 18 apartments to make the housing units more habitable. The programme included: Blinds on Windows, Linoleum FLooring, Wardrobes in Bedrooms and Cookers and Hobs in Kitchens. Additional CCTV cameras and security systems on gate entrances and facility areas were also installed. ACT agreed an allocations policy and procedure with the local authority and the 18 apartments were allocated to people with categories of homelessness in March and April 2025.
The Mirth Apartments, developed by Associated Charities Trust, were officially opened by John Moran, Mayor of Limerick, on 12th June 2025.
John Moran Mayor of Limerick cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the Mirth Apartments in Thomondgate on 12th June 2025
The long awaited day finally arrived on Thursday 12th June. Chairs were laid out in the courtyard, guests assembled, and the Mayor of Limerick John Moran arrived to perform the official opening of Mirth, a development of eighteen new apartments by Associated Charities Trust, stretching from Cashel’s Lane down along the steps in Thomondgate to Brown’s Quay, overlooking the River Shannon.
It was a day of great celebrations, of a dream realised, to provide permanent homes on a derelict site, adjacent to the historic Thomond House, where ACT, as an approved housing body, has provided emergency accommodation for women since the early 1990s.
After fifteen years of planning and perseverance, and with the construction process completed, it was time for a house warming. The ceremony marked a significant dual achievement by ACT, the provision of long term accommodation for independent living, also the transformation of a derelict site with an impressive urban renewal development, enhancing the built environment of Thomondgate, for the benefit of the entire community. Over the previous three years, during the construction phase, the board avoided publicity and the risk of any misrepresentation of the project. Instead, an official opening, with new tenants in residence and the lights on, was planned as the appropriate occasion to mark the provision of permanent homes for eighteen people.
Mayor John Moran with manager Deirdre Cronin in Thomond House and in the new Mirth complex
First the Mayor was taken on a tour of Thomond House. He visited the kitchens, dining room and sitting room, meeting staff and residents, as Deirdre Cronin, the manager for thirty years, described the services and supports provided to women continuously on a daily and nightly basis, 365 days a year.
A short walk followed across Cashel’s Lane, to the main entrance of Mirth. There, the Mayor cut a ribbon, declaring the new complex officially open, to applause from a gathering of new residents, board members, representatives of PBC Builders, Council Officials, the architect James Corbett, former Limerick TD and Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, City Councillors Maria O’Donoghue and Padraig Reale, and the former mayoral candidate Helen O’Donnell.
John Giles, chairman of the board of ACT speaking at the opening of the Mirth Apartments
Moving to the courtyard, James Giles, Chairman of the board of ACT, opened proceedings by explaining the background to the project, how the €5 million development was funded with grants provided by the Government Dept. of Housing, under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) administered by Limerick City and County Council, also with support from the JP McManus Trust.
He explained how the apartments were allocated from the housing list to men and women over fifty years of age in a process agreed with Limerick City and County Council, to address homelessness in this age group.
The chairman also referred to the day-to-day operation of the Women’s Homeless Hostel at Thomond House funded jointly by Limerick City and County Council and the HSE, and explained how the hostel is closely linked with the partnership of statutory agencies that work together to provide integrated homeless services in the Mid-West.
The chairman thanked the board and the staff, led by project manager Hugh Silke, also with more than thirty years of service to ACT, and all that had contributed to the project before calling on the Mayor to speak.
John Moran Mayor of Limerick and soprano Eve Stafford at the opening on 12th June 2025
John Moran outlined the scale of the challenge faced in Limerick to provide adequate housing, and he listed initiatives he was taking to tackle the issue. He congratulated ACT, as a Limerick charity, for its successful development of the new apartments, providing stability for tenants during a housing crisis at a central location, overlooking the historic heart of the city, with iconic views of the Shannon, King John’s Castle and Thomond Bridge.
The audience of dignitaries and neighbours, including representatives of the Thomondgate Residents Association, showed their appreciation for the Mayor, and again when soprano Eve Stafford entertained the crowd with a moving rendition of the appropriately chosen, Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us), from West Side Story.
ACT Board member in the audience listening to Thomond House resident Eireann O’Shaughnessy
To finish, twenty-five year-old Eireann O’Shaughnessy, spoke about her positive experience of living in Thomond House, availing of the services on offer to rebuild her life, having been homeless. Elaine Cook explained how after her experience of homelessness the staff in Thomond House had helped her to regain her self-esteem. Elaine went on to describe, just how much it meant to her when she was offered a move from the temporary accommodation of Thomond House to her own apartment in the Mirth complex. In an interview with Nigel Dugdale filmed afterwards, for 95fm, Mayor John Moran said that hearing the voices and stories of women, navigating their way out of homeless with the support of ACT, was a welcome feature of the event, respecting their identities as individuals in contrast with the constant referral to homeless people as mere statistics.
Faces in the audience at the official opening of the Mirth Apartments on 12th June 2025
Media Coverage
There was extensive coverage in the media, and by a happy coincidence on the morning of the official opening David Raleigh secured prime column inches on page 5 of the Irish Times for his report, researched earlier in the week, under the headline “Good things do happen”: 18 people get keys to independent living apartments. The same day a version of his report also appeared in the Limerick Post on page 20 under a headline quoting Mirth resident Elaine Cook, referring to her time spent living in a tent “I was lying on cardboard trying to keep warm”: New social housing apartments changing lives. Nigel Dugdale’s video for 95fm featuring a mix of interviews was shared widely on social media over the weekend. The coverage continued on Tuesday 17th June when a report by Nick Rabitts appeared in the Limerick Leader under the headline Derelict site in Limerick turned into forever homes. Associated Charities Trust open Mirth Housing Project for 18 people from marginalised backgrounds.
Thanks to: John Moran, Mayor of Limerick, to Shane Vaughan for photography, to St Munchin’s Community Centre for catering, and Sin Bin for the sound system and marquee.
Tom Shortt
PRO Associated Charities Trust
