McManus family gifts IRE to people of Limerick

The €30 million International Rugby Experience (IRE) – one of Ireland’s leading visitor attractions – is to be donated by its creators, the McManus family of Martinstown, to the people of Limerick.
One of Ireland’s leading visitor attractions, the state-of-the-art International Rugby Experience (IRE) on O’Connell Street, Limerick, will be donated by JP McManus and his family to the people of Limerick.
The IRE is a fully immersive, hands on, multi-sensory experience designed to engage and inspire families and individuals alike. Inspired by World Rugby’s values of Passion, Discipline, Integrity, Solidarity and Respect, visitors hear the stories, feel the passion and test their own skills as they move through six awe-inspiring stages inside the ‘Home of Legends.’
Limerick City and County Council’s Gordon Daly said, “This is an exciting opportunity for the Council to add International Rugby Experience to our existing successful tourist attractions; King John’s Castle, Lough Gur, Limerick Greenway and Adare Heritage Centre, and to build stronger synergies to drive tourism development and promotion in Limerick. We are working closely with IRE to advance the due diligence process and commence the transition.”
“The IRE has truly become the public and civic building we sought to create and this next stage of the journey in public ownership will protect the building’s legacy, outlasting us all for generations,” museum CEO Barry Hannon said. “We would like to recognise Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood for their incredible insight and expertise to ensure the successful outcome of the project.”
Meanwhile, for the third occasion, the famed colours of South Liberties hurling club were carried into the winners’ enclosure at Liverpool’s Aintree Race Course at the weekend after ‘I Am Maximus’ won the £500,000 Grand National for owner and Ballysheedy native JP McManus. Trained in Carlow by Willie Mullins, the 7/1 shot was ridden to victory by Cork’s Paul Townend of Lisgoold.
I Am Maxiumus will be paraded (at approximately 9.25pm) ahead of Saturday night’s Con and Annie Kirby Final – which the McManus family sponsor – at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.