Survey Data
Reg No
21517005
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Artistic
Previous Name
Limerick Corporation Gas Works
Original Use
Gasworks
In Use As
Gates/railings/walls
Date
1870 - 1890
Coordinates
156899, 156584
Date Recorded
27/07/2005
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding section of limestone wall to Dock Road, erected c. 1880, with several blind arched openings. Squared and coursed limestone ashlar wall, limestone coping with later mortar flaunching above. To the northeast is a segmental-arched opening, expressed with a Baroque vigour, and now blocked up, with rusticated piers and imposts supporting a rusticated arch voussoirs radiating before squaring off with a plain stringcourse. Large keystone to centre of arch. Later squared, coursed and snecked limestone infill. This is repeated on the inner face of the wall. Further south is a three-bay, two-storey composition with limestone ashlar platband delineating the first level and parapet wall. Elevation is comprised of blind round-arched openings, each with an inner and outer arch on different planes, with rusticated voussoirs and a sill to the inner arch, set lower than flanking sills, and which spans the entire opening of the centrally-placed opening. Segmental-arched blind opening at ground floor level with smooth limestone ashlar piers, imposts, voussoirs, and keystone. Further south is a double-height blind arch and a further single-height segmental arch with smooth limestone ashlar surround. At the entrance to the site the wall continues at a ninety-degree angle and meets a triple-height limestone ashlar wall with a platband to each level continuing around two triple-height pilasters. To the upper stage is a set of three semicircular openings with vermiculated rusticated voussoirs with red brick soffits.
Appraisal
This freestanding elevation now forms a boundary wall. It stands as a remnant of the former gas works site. The passing of the Corporation Gas Act in 1878 ensured the local authorities gained control, and in the case of Limerick, it was the United General Gas Company. The corporation moved to the newly built Dock Road site in 1884, from the United General Gas Company's original site at Watergate. The United General Gas Company has been established in 1826 and were the sole providers of gas for public lighting at a time when the city expanded westwards along O'Connell Avenue. These wall elevations are of great importance to the character of the Dock Road. The Baroque quality of the surviving arch and three-bay elevations add significantly to the streetscape and architectural and industrial heritage of the city. The elevation retains excellent masonry detailing and an unusual feature arch.