Project overview
The International Rugby Experience Limerick, sits on the edge of a conservation area within Limerick’s Georgian Quarter, quickly becoming one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland since opening its doors in 2022. The Experience’s verticality was crucial to the project’s success, where capacity was integral to it. The height of the building also provides impressive views over the city with its crowning public hall. Explicitly described as an “experience” and not a museum, guests will be told a story of rugby through five values: Discipline, Solidarity, Respect, Passion and Integrity.
The International Rugby Experience was designed by a team from NIALL MCLAUGHLIN ARCHITECTS LTD who extensively practice creating experiential public facilities. The facility’s sleek design and impressive brickwork detailing are not only visually stunning but also functional, providing visitors with an immersive experience in the world of rugby. Repeating vertical brick fins cleverly catch the light on their leading edges, and equally cast contrasting shadows in the spaces between, whilst a series of slender brick pillars, internally tapered into narrow edges to reduce their size, offer extremely clever and subtle brick details to produce impactful spatial experiences. Niall McLaughlin Architects made extensive use of legacy Charnwood bricks to give the facility a classic look, which complements the traditional feel of the sport. The blend of over 300,000 beautiful red bricks used in the construction of the International Rugby Experience was carefully selected for their quality and durability.
