LIMERICK

PUBLISHED IN 2025 BUT MAY HAVE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED EARLIER

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KNOWN AS BROWN THOMAS BY STUDENTS

Limerick's "Other" Brown Thomas: A Visit to Gormley's UL Campus Sculpture

On the University of Limerick (UL) campus, spanning the River Shannon, stands a significant piece of public art by the renowned British sculptor Sir Antony Gormley. While its official title is "Untitled (for David)", students and locals know it by a far more humorous nickname: "Brown Thomas".

This witty moniker is a direct reference to the well-known chain of Irish luxury department stores. If you're in Limerick and a student mentions "meeting at Brown Thomas," they might not be heading for a shopping trip, but rather to this iconic campus landmark.

The Sculpture and its Setting

Installed on 21 February 2001 I was lead to believe that "the work consists of two identical cast-iron figures, characteristic of Gormley's exploration of the human form. Poetically, one figure stands on the County Limerick side of the campus, while the other faces it from the County Clare side, connecting the two parts of the university over the water".

I could never locate the second figure and only recently discovered that the description was totally false - someone was "pulling my leg", as we say here in Ireland.

"Together and Apart" by Antony Gormley

Description: It is a single, life-size, cast-iron figure of a man, standing with his arms by his sides.
Location: It stands in the centre of the main plaza, between the Glucksman Library and the Foundation Building.

Every time I am in Limerick, I make a point to visit the University Campus. On my most recent trip in July 2025, I enjoyed a long walk from the Absolute Hotel specifically to see the sculpture again.

TOGETHER AND APART

BY ANTHONY GORMLEY

PHOTOGRAPHED USING A FUJI GFX100RF THE ART AND THE ARTIST

Usually I have great difficulty photographing this sculpture as the plaza is always packed with students or visitors but the weather was really bad and there were very few people around so I was able to experiment especially as I had a medium format camera - what I wanted to do was to show Brown Thomas as being totally isolated.



BROWN THOMAS THE SCULPTURE BROWN THOMAS THE SCULPTURE

🌳 The Hunt Museum's 'Museum in a Garden'

The garden space behind The Hunt Museum in Limerick was conceived with a clear philosophy: to break down the perceived barriers of a traditional museum building. By bringing objects and concepts into the public domain, the garden acts as a welcoming and accessible extension of the museum experience for the whole community.

This public space officially opened in 2016. A significant step towards accessibility was taken in the summer of 2020 when, with the assistance of local recycling company UMR, the surrounding railings were removed, creating a truly open and inviting atmosphere.

The garden is designed to encourage creativity, leisure, and engagement. It hosts a wide variety of events, including music performances, theatre, and tournaments for chess and boules. For casual visitors, a permanent chessboard is available alongside other outdoor games like quoits, boules, and croquet, which can be borrowed from the museum.

THE OLMEC MAN WAS THE FIRST

HE GOT A PAINT JOB

BEFORE HE WAS PAINTED PHOTOGRAPHED USING A FUJI GFX100RF PHOTOGRAPHED 2018 ABOUT THE MUSEUM GARDEN

The garden was first opened as a public space in 2016. Then, in 2020, The Hunt Museum removed the railings around its green space to create the Museum in a Garden. Conceived as an extension to the museum, the garden will feature seven super-sized sculptures replicating artefacts from the museum. First to be installed is Olmec Man, a Mexican artefact that was digitised by TY students and made into a two-metre outdoor replica using 3D printing technologies with help from ESB, Arup, the Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD) and Monaru.ie.



HE GOT A PAINT JOB BEFORE HE WAS PAINTED

đź—ż The Olmec Man: A Modern Link to an Ancient World

The 'Olmec Man' holds the distinction of being the first sculpture installed in the Hunt Museum's garden.

The Ancient Olmec

The sculpture pays homage to the Olmec, one of the earliest known major civilisations in Mesoamerica (modern-day Mexico). Flourishing long before the Maya and the Aztecs, the Olmec were profound artists and craftspeople.

They are perhaps most famous for their "colossal heads"—massive stone representations of human heads, which are considered masterpieces of Mesoamerican art. This particular sculpture is inspired by smaller figures found at an elaborate burial site in the Olmec city of La Venta, which was a prominent centre between approximately 900 and 400 BC.

Modern Creation

The garden's 'Olmec Man' is a distinctly modern creation. It was produced from a 3D scan that was enlarged and then precisely machined using computer numerical control (CNC). The material used is Tricoya, a durable, sustainable, and innovative Irish wood-based product.

The sculpture was a collaborative project involving:

Arup (engineering and design firm)

Transition Year students from Ardscoil Mhuire and Coláiste Chiaráin

MONARĂš (a fabrication company)

An enabling grant from the ESB

A Note on Appearance: Visitors familiar with the sculpture from its installation may recall its original wooden finish. It has since been painted, a change that has significantly altered its aesthetic.

🌱 The Garden's Evolution and Future

The garden space itself has evolved. During the initial Garden Design Competition, the Office of Public Works (OPW) conducted a detailed tree survey. This survey, corroborated by two subsequent assessments, identified the garden's Pink Chestnut tree as severely diseased and a safety hazard, necessitating its removal.

To protect the roots of neighbouring large trees and ensure ground stability, the lower trunk and root system were left in place. Following public consultation, a strong desire emerged to transform this remaining stump into a new, meaningful sculpture, adding another creative element to the space.

Supporting the Space

The museum is actively seeking support to continue this vision. The project aims to produce more 3D-printed museum replicas and encourage sculptors to create new pieces for the six remaining plinths in the garden.

Further goals include improving the garden's lighting and enhancing disabled access to ensure the space is usable for everyone. The museum notes that for donations of €250 or more, it can claim 31% tax relief, making any contribution worth nearly a third more.

HIDE OR REVEAL MORE OPTIONS BELOW

ST MUNCHIN'S BOXING CLUB - THE STORY OF A THOMONDGATE LANDMARK

In July 2015 there was a "sale agreed" sign on the building but I cannot determine what the sign actually refers to as I could not establish if the more modern attached structure is part of the complex - I will address this at a later date.

MY FIRST TIME TO USE LIGHTROOM CULLING TOOL

BOXING CLUB

JULY 2025 PHOTOGRAPHS THE LONG HISTORY

At the junction of High Road and Sexton Street North, in Limerick's historic Thomondgate, stands a building that perfectly captures the soul of a neighbourhood. My photographs show a solid, unassuming building, but with one striking feature that immediately draws the eye: a statue of the Virgin Mary, high up on its rear wall.

This prominent religious icon might lead one to believe it was a convent, and indeed, the famous, large Presentation Convent is not far away. However, this building has its own distinct and equally significant community history.

This property was not a convent but a former parish hall, belonging to the local Parish. This explains the prominent statue and the building's institutional feel; it was built to serve the local Catholic community, likely hosting meetings, events, and other parish activities for generations.

ST MUNCHIN'S BOXING CLUB

A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT MARIAN STATUE IN LIMERICK

The weather was terrible so I decided to get a bus. However like four others at the bus stop I got on the wrong bus (the route must have changed or been modified). When I noticed that I was passing streets that I had never seen before I asked the driver was this the bus to the University Campus he advised me to remain on the bus until it returned to the city centre. On the way back to the city I noticed this Marian Statue, in the Janesboro neighbourhood, so I got off the bus to photograph it and then walked the rest of the way back to my hotel. It was too wet to visit the UL campus so I delayed my visit.

OPPOSITE OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH

JANESBORO STATUE

JULY 2025 PHOTOGRAPHS ABOUT THE MARIAN STATUE

This distinctive shelter makes it instantly recognisable. It's a small but significant detail that sets it apart, offering a slightly different and very memorable take on a classic Irish scene of devotion.




JANESBORO MARIAN STATUE

DOMINICAN CHURCH AND PADRE PIO STATUE

Just a month later, in August 2016, St Saviour's was given a new lease of life. An American order of nuns, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee, arrived to take over the administration of the parish. It's a fantastic story of continuity, ensuring the Dominican ethos and the church's doors remain open for the community. The warmth and energy they have brought are said to be truly remarkable.

GLENTWORTH STREET LIMERICK

ST SAVIOUR'S

2018 PHOTO GALLERY ABOUT THE CHURCH AND STATUE

For centuries—almost 800 years, in fact—this church was the spiritual home of the Dominican friars. Their presence was woven into the very fabric of Limerick. However, as I learned, that long chapter came to a close. In July 2016, facing declining numbers, the friars held their final mass and bid farewell to the city, a truly momentous and poignant event.



ST SAVIOUR'S DOMINICAN CHURCH AND THE NEW PADRE PIO SCULPTURE ST SAVIOUR'S DOMINICAN CHURCH AND THE NEW PADRE PIO SCULPTURE

THE PADDY POWER - FISHERMEN MURAL

The large mural on the wall of the Paddy Power building in Thomondgate, which depicts Limerick fishermen in their traditional small boats (gandelows), was a project involving Pigtown Media and West Murals.

NORTH SEXTON STREET IN LIMERICK

BY MARCUS O'CONNOR

PHOTO GALLERIES ABOUT THE ART AND ARTIST

The mural was created by West Murals, which is the professional name for artist Marcus O'Connor.



BY MARCUS O'CONNOR

WAVE FORM BY JIM FLAVIN IS NOW AT THE HUNT MUSEUM

When I photographed this sculpture in 2021 it was in very poor condition and I was unable to determine the name of the artist or anything about the sculpture. When I visited in 2025 it was gone and that fact allowed me to discover that it was now at the Hunt Museum Garden which was good news.

NOT IN THE HUNT MUSEUM GARDEN

HAS BEEN RELOCATED

PHOTO GALLERIES ABOUT THE ART AND ARTIST

🎨 The Mural and its Meaning

Completed in 2013 as part of the Make a Move festival—an event dedicated to urban regeneration through street art—"Love Me So" is a striking, double-walled piece. It depicts a woman in monochrome gazing across the garden space at a colourful image of her childhood self.

The mural creates a powerful dialogue across the garden. It's a haunting image that explores the lasting, formative impact of our earliest relationships. As McConaghy himself explains, the piece explores how our childhood experiences—the love we receive and the hurts we endure—fundamentally shape the adults we become. The title, "Love Me So," can be read as the fundamental plea of the inner child, echoing into the present.



WAVE FORM BY JIM FLAVIN

LOVE ME SO BY DERMOT MCCONAGHY (DMC)

Limerick's vibrant street art scene transforms urban spaces into open-air galleries, and nowhere is this more evident than on the city's revitalised Thomas Street. Here, a once-derelict site has been reborn, first as a community garden and then as the canvas for one of the city's most poignant murals: "Love Me So" by Dermot McConaghy (DMC).

I USED TWO DIFFERENT CAMERAS IN 2025

LOVE ME SO MURAL

PHOTOGRAPHED 2025 THE ART AND THE ARTIST

🎨 The Mural and its Meaning

Completed in 2013 as part of the Make a Move festival—an event dedicated to urban regeneration through street art—"Love Me So" is a striking, double-walled piece. It depicts a woman in monochrome gazing across the garden space at a colourful image of her childhood self.

The mural creates a powerful dialogue across the garden. It's a haunting image that explores the lasting, formative impact of our earliest relationships. As McConaghy himself explains, the piece explores how our childhood experiences—the love we receive and the hurts we endure—fundamentally shape the adults we become. The title, "Love Me So," can be read as the fundamental plea of the inner child, echoing into the present.



LOVE ME SO MURAL

MURAL OF AN URBAN FOX

🦊 The Athlunkard Fox: A Symbol of Limerick's Wildlife
Located at the prominent junction of Athlunkard Street and Island Road in Limerick city, a striking, large-scale mural of a fox captures the attention of passers-by. This impressive piece of street art is the work of the artist Ohhi Ohno, also known as Lulu Keeley.

PHOTOGRAPHED SEPTEMBER 2025

FOX MURAL BY OHHI OHNO

PHOTOGRAPHED 2025

The mural is a significant contribution to the "Wildlife Walls" initiative, an urban art project designed to celebrate and highlight the region's natural heritage. "Wildlife Walls" is a creative collaboration between the urban art specialists Draw Out and Limerick City and County Council.

The primary goal of the initiative is to foster greater public awareness of Limerick's rich biodiversity. It achieves this by commissioning vibrant, high-profile murals that depict indigenous Irish animals and plants. The fox, a familiar yet wild resident of both urban and rural landscapes, serves as a powerful and visible reminder of the wildlife that shares the city environment.

URBAN FOX MURAL URBAN FOX MURAL

NICHE BY ORLA DE BRI

2018 Visit: At the time, I mistakenly believed the sculpture was titled "The Diver" and couldn't find any information about it. For this shoot, I used a Sony A7RIII with a Sony FE 24-70mm lens, which I found to be the best combination for capturing the piece. I assume that my current A1 Mk2 would be much better as would the GFX100RF under the right conditions.

LIMERICK UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

BY ORLA DE BRI

PHOTOGRAPHED 2025 PHOTOGRAPHED 2021 PHOTOGRAPHED 2018 THE ART AND THE ARTIST

I am now in the process of compiling and publishing the photographs from my 2018, 2021, and 2025 visits.

NICHE BY ORLA DE BRI

CLARE STREET PUBLIC PARK IN LIMERICK

🌳 O'Briens Park: The park is particularly notable for its recent developments under the "Active Cities" initiative, which have transformed it into a modern hub for sports and family activities.

ALSO KNOWN AS O’BRIENS PARK

BY ROWAN GILLESPIE

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PARK THE TAIT FOUNTAIN ABOUT THE PARK ABOUT THE TAIT FOUNTAIN

Overall, O'Briens Park is a vital community asset that successfully combines relaxation and active recreation, making it highly popular with families, children, and anyone looking to play sports.


O'BRIENS PUBLIC PARK

BARE TO THE WORLD HERE CAME SWEENEY

đź“– The Legend of Sweeney: The "Sweeney" (or Suibhne Geilt) mentioned is a mythological Irish king from Ulster. According to the 12th-century text, Sweeney insulted Saint Ronan and, as punishment, was cursed by the saint during the Battle of Mag Rath (Moira).

AT THE HUNT MUSEUM IN LIMERICK CITY

BY ROWAN GILLESPIE

QUICK AND SIMPLE GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHED USING A FUJI GFX100RF ABOUT THE ART AND THE ARTIST

Rowan Gillespie is renowned for his bronze figurative sculptures that capture deep psychological states, such as the Famine Memorial in Dublin. His depiction of Sweeney, often shown as a gaunt, bird-like, and anguished figure, visualises this legend.


BY ROWNAN GILLESPIE PHOTOGRAPHED USING A FUJI GFX100RF

CHOOSING A BASE - HOW YOUR HOTEL CHANGES HOW YOU SEE A CITY

A Photographer's Base of Operations

As you know, this project involves visiting every city in Ireland to document the changes in our built environment. It's long, intensive work. My days are typically spent on foot for at least eight hours, from dawn until dusk, trying to capture the evolving character of a place.

For years, my needs for accommodation were basic. I don't need social features—a gym or a hotel bar holds no interest for me. My only firm requirements have always been safety and security. When you're carrying thousands of (euros/pounds) worth of camera gear, a secure room to store and charge equipment is non-negotiable.

Up until 2022, my method was a simple 3-night stay, giving me two full days of photography. But I've since extended my stays to four or five nights. I've found that to get a truly balanced view of a city like Limerick, you need more time. And, as I'm discovering, you need to change your perspective.

Limerick: A Tale of Three Hotels

I’ve realised that your "base" fundamentally changes your perception of a place. Where you start and end your day frames your entire experience of the urban landscape. My time in Limerick is a perfect case study.

For many years, The George Hotel was my go-to. Its location is its key strength—right on O'Connell Street, placing you in the absolute heart of the modern, retail core. You step out of the lobby and you are in the city's commercial centre. I liked it, but as its popularity grew, so did its prices.

So this year, I tried something new. I booked a full week at The Absolute Hotel.

And honestly? I thought it was much better. The hotel itself—the room, the comfort, the service—was a significant step up. The only trade-off is the location. It's set in the city's medieval quarter, by the Abbey River. This isn't a bad location, it's just a different one. You're five minutes from King John's Castle and St. Mary's Cathedral. You're starting your day in "old" Limerick, which gives you a completely different feel for the city's built heritage.

The Next Experiment: Changing Perspectives Again

I had decided to use The Absolute for all my future Limerick trips, but for my upcoming visit in March 2026, I couldn't get a room for my preferred dates.

Instead, I've booked The Clayton Hotel. I managed to get a very good deal for three nights. While this is shorter than my new 4/5-night preference, it plays perfectly into my new strategy of trying a variety of hotels.

The Clayton will offer a third, distinct perspective on Limerick:

The George was the retail centre.
The Absolute was the medieval quarter.
The Clayton will be the modern waterfront.
It's a high-rise, landmark building, and my experience will be defined by those wide, panoramic views of the River Shannon. Ironically, it has all the leisure facilities I'll never use, but the location and the deal make it a fascinating next step.

LIMERICK HOTELS

A DISCUSSION

THE CLAYTON HOTEL THE ABSOLUTE HOTEL MY STAY AT THE ABSOLUTE

I'm beginning to think this "multi-hotel" approach is the best way to understand a city's different personalities. Going forward, I may even consider renting apartments... but that’s a thought for another day.


THE CLAYTON HOTEL THE ABSOLUTE HOTEL
LIMERICK QUICK AND SIMPLE PHOTO GALLERIES