I walked a long distance to photograph Ardhu House Gate Lodge but discovered something very different on my arrival and it is a pity that I did not see the following description in advance: The magnificent house was built by Thomas Revington c. 1850. In the 1920s Major Ross Rose lived in the house (and had Rose’s Avenue called after him). Revington Park, of course, is called after the builder of the house. It became a hotel in the early 1960s and was taken over by the Ryan Hotel Group to become known as the Ardhu Ryan Hotel. It ceased operations in 2004. The Gate Lodge opposite was built on Rose’s Avenue and it wasn’t until much later that the Ennis Road entrance was built. The gate lodge has long gone from the landscape.

The, good news was, house remains and it can be seen in two of my photographs [the white building]. It is described as a detached three-bay two-storey Italianate villa style former house, built in 1865, facing east with a return and a three-bay two-storey side wing to north. A further two-bay two-storey building to north and west form a courtyard enclosed to the north by a range of stone buildings.

To the best of my knowledge Limerick Ryan hotel actually closed with a loss of 92 jobs just before Christmas 2003. I do not know, in detail, what happened between 2003 and September 2018 the site was advertised for sale and it was described as follows: The block currently comprises 43 two-bedroom suites and 18 one-bedroom aparthotel suites adjoining the former Ardhu Ryan Hotel (Ardhu House) which is in need of a complete refurbishment, and the adjoining site. Planning has been granted for 55 apartment units in the main building with a further 4 apartments in the former Ardhu House building and 7 detached two storey dwelling houses. I suspect that the hotel may have operated as The Clarion Suites.


I came across the following, published a few weeks before my April 2022 trip to Limerick:

The contents of the Ardhu Bar, Ennis Road Limerick will be auctioned off on line at 12 noon this Sunday March 13. Viewing will take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th on the premises between 11am to 4pm. Collection of items on Monday and Tuesday. Items in this auction include 45’ bespoke mahogany bar counter complete, outdoor benches, whiskey Barrells(sic), Parasols, Outdoor heaters, bottle crushers, kitchen equipment, Tv’s, Speakers, Cold Room, Bar furniture, Old Photographs, mirrors, glasses and lots more.

Here is how the venue was once described:

The Ardhú & The Munster Bar is a brand new development situated on the grounds of The Clarion Suites on the Ennis road in Limerick. Only yards from the Gaelic Grounds, a 5 minute walk from the Legendary Thomond Park and 10 minutes from the city centre it is ideally located for all major sporting and entertainment events.

The Ardhú consists of two bars (The Ardhú & The Munster Bar) and an adjoining courtyard which is entirely enclosed and fully heated so you can enjoy that alfresco feeling all year round.

The Venue attracts a diverse range of clientele and is family friendly, so weather you're after a quiet pint in The Munster Bar, would like to soak up the sun in our courtyard or enjoy the upbeat friendly atmosphere in The Ardhú Bar we've got you covered!

-Two Great Bars One Great Location
- Limerick's Best Fully Heated Alfresco Area
- All Sporting Events Shown On Our Big Screen's
- Ideal Location For Your Corporate Or Private Event
- Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Meals 7 Days A Week
- Entertainment Provided By Our In House Party DJ's & Live Bands