Ruined Cottage and Site - Limerick

Description

Ruins of a traditional two up-two down cottage on site in the townland of Moanoola, outside Oola, Co. Limerick. It does not have an Eircode currently, but is located next to E34 RX44, on the village side.
I originally bought it with the intention of restoring the original cottage myself but my wife and I have decided to settle down in Wexford now instead. I was going to reinstate it to a liveable condition by restoring the original cottage with the addition of an extension.
The property appeared on Ireland’s first Ordnance Survey Map in 1829-1845 so there’s great history with it for sure. I’ve attached a picture.
The front wall, top sections of the gable ends and the roof have been demolished following a fire a good few years ago, but more than half is still standing. What’s left exposed are three walls, two built-in wall storages and two windows. You’ll see the beautiful stonework sourced from the local quarry up the lane from the pictures below
The cottage has a traditional shape, and the outside of the walls are largely in good condition. The shape of the site and position of the cottage make it accessible for the provision of an extension with a gap of circa nine metres between the back wall and site boundary.
If you have any questions about the site, please give me a call. Happy to answer any questions.
Some research I’ve done:
The National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy published in 2018 supports Pillar 5 of the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness to reduce vacancy in Ireland’s housing stock and bring as many habitable homes back into use as possible. Objective 1: Establish robust, accurate, consistent and up-to-date data sets on vacancy. Objective 2: Bring forward measures to ensure, to the greatest degree possible, that vacant and underused privately owned properties are brought back to use.
I have read the Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Country Side, published by Limerick County Council in July 2012 and characteristics defined by this document have inspired this brief while sharing characteristics that define the locality. The document recognises that it is necessary to reinvent the country house and develop a new rural architecture for the 21st century, rather than simply remodelling or recreating the methods and manners of the past. The goal of this design is to show that the objectives and principles set out in the document will be considered in the proposed design.
From the latest Limerick Development Plan: Volume 1, (page 51) Objective CGR O6 Derelict Sites: it is an objective of the Council to utilise the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, including the maintenance of a Derelict Site Register and CPO powers to address instances of dereliction and decay in the urban and rural environment and bring properties back into active reuse.
From page 111, 4.2.6 Re-use of Buildings: the existing housing stock of Limerick provides a valuable resource in terms of meeting the needs of a growing population and its retention and management is of considerable importance. Retaining and adapting, and encouraging energy retrofitting of the existing housing stock, is important to stem population loss in these areas as this promotes and encourages additional dwelling units within existing communities, particularly those suited to the emerging demographics of an area. The Council is currently working on a programme for the retrofitting of social housing units across Limerick. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are currently working with the Heritage Council to unlock the potential in the country’s villages, towns and cities to utilise heritage building stock (pre-1940) to help tackle the housing crisis and to develop guidance in the reuse and/ or refurbishment of protected structures as residential accommodation. Objective HO O4 Re-use of Existing Buildings It is an objective of the Council to encourage redevelopment and reuse, including energy retrofitting, of existing housing stock and conversion of other suitable buildings to sustainable housing accommodation.
From page 118, 4.4 Rural Housing: The rural development strategy for Limerick seeks to achieve a balance in terms of promoting sustainable rural development, which celebrates the vibrancy and vitality of our rural areas, and also seeks to protect the rich heritage, amenity and recreational value of the rural landscapes and countryside, in line with national and regional policy.
From page 171, Policy EH P5: Protection of the Built Environment It is a policy of the Council to promote high standards for conserving and restoring the built environment and promote its value in improving living standards and its benefits to the economy.
From page 339, Site Area, Building Line and Road Frontage: In cases involving the renovation of existing dwellings, smaller sites (under 0.5 acres) will be considered where the applicant can demonstrate adequate provision for disposal of effluent and other criteria in this Plan to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority.
From the Limerick Development Plan: Volume 2B, Objective SE O2 Reuse of Vacant and Derelict Buildings: it is an objective of the Council to encourage the re-use of under used, vacant and derelict buildings and sites in the settlements and support the use of derelict sites which have fallen into disuse and detract from the setting and amenity of adjoining properties for residential, retail and enterprise and industry creation in the villages. Objective SE O8 Protection of Built Heritage: it is an objective of the Council to preserve, protect and enhance the character of settlements. Objective PA O2 Redevelopment of Derelict Sites: it is an objective of the Council to support the redevelopment of vacant and derelict sites.
From the Strategic Environmental Assessment Report: (page 21) Cultural Heritage C1: Protect and conserve features of archaeological heritage and their setting. C2: Protect, conserve and promote the sustainable reuse of architectural heritage. From page 25, Protect the unique character of Limerick. Support and facilitate revitalisation and consolidation of the City, towns and villages through public realm and place making initiatives. Addressing vacancy and dereliction to create compact attractive, vibrant and safe environments in which to live, work, visit and invest. Protect, conserve and enhance the built and cultural heritage of Limerick, through promoting awareness, utilising relevant heritage legislation and ensuring good quality urban design principles are applied to all new developments. The principle that well planned and integrated development enhances the sustainability, attractiveness and quality of an area should be at the centre of any proposal.
From the Environmental Protection Objectives and Data Sources document: (page 91) Protect the unique character of Limerick. Support and facilitate revitalisation and consolidation of the City, towns and villages through public realm and place making initiatives. Addressing vacancy and dereliction to create compact attractive, vibrant and safe environments in which to live, work, visit and invest. From page 192, Reuse of Existing Buildings Objective HO 04 Re-use of Existing Buildings: It is an objective of the Council to encourage redevelopment and reuse, including energy retrofitting, of existing housing stock and conversion of other suitable buildings to sustainable housing accommodation in the interests of sustainable development

Features

Location on map

Exact location is unknown - showing a general map.