The interactive rugby experience will cease business on December 23
Limerick’s International Rugby Experience has today, Thursday 24, confirmed that it will permanently close its doors at the end of the year, just 18 months after opening.
All operations will cease on December 23 of this year, and no new bookings are being taken with immediate effect,
However, the company has confirmed that it will honour all bookings already put in place until that date, including reservations for Santa’s secret workshop.
Bookings after December 23 will be refunded in full.
The International Rugby Experience has brought over 60,000 visitors to Limerick city since it opened in May of last year delivering an estimated €7.8m boost to the local economy. It’s understood that around 50 people are employed in the business.
The immersive rugby project was a not-for-profit charitable venture, constructed and delivered without state support, through a €30m investment by the the JP McManus Charitable Foundation.
News of the closure follows extensive talks with Limerick City and County Council in an effort to transfer the business to Discover Limerick DAC, the Council-owned tourism company.
A statement issued by the International Rugby Experience on Thursday evening, outlined how the building was offered “along with a a €1.2 million donation, to Limerick City and County Council in October 2023, with Heads of Terms signed by both parties in March 2024.”.
“The proposed offer would have seen the building free to be used for any civic purpose by Limerick City and County Council after 2028,” the statement read.
The proposed transition was discussed with Limerick City and County Councillor’s just this week.
In a statement issued about the closure Limerick City and Council Council said it was “very disappointed” by the news.
“Despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure a viable path forward as substantial operational and capital funding would be required from the Council into the future”
The Irish Rugby experience thanked retired Ireland rugby stars Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood “who have been unselfish in their fantastic assistance to the project since the concept stage” and its “wonderful staff, and the people of Limerick and beyond, for supporting the venture and the effort to help to bring life back to the city centre”.