The Milk Market, Limerick, Ireland

The Milk Market in Limerick, Ireland was created by Act of Parliament in the 1850's "for the benefit of the Citizens of Limerick" to be administered by a Board of Trustees. Currently it trades as a Saturday-only self-erect "casual" produce market on an open courtyard between historic listed buildings. At other times the site is used for public carparking. Quarterbridge was appointed by the Trustees to devise an improvement plan to make better use of the asset in accordance with the original intentions of the Act and stimulate regeneration in this area of the City Centre.

The Milk Market offers some of the finest farming and fishing produce in Ireland but it's lack of weather protection was discouraging shoppers and traders during winter months. Quarterbridge proposed a plan to increase footfall by stretching a tensile canopy roof across the courtyard and creating a multi-use space to be used either for the market or events and exhibitions throughout the week. A design competition staged in conjunction with the Board of Irish Architects awarded the commission to a local firm, Michael Healy & Partners whose design work is now well-advanced and the end result will be a greatly-improved market and a bold architectural landmark for the City Centre.