JP McManus to set record straight over costs that led to International Rugby Experience dispute

David Raleigh

JP McManus is to address the Mayor of Limerick and elected representatives at a closed door meeting at Limerick City and County Council headquarters over why the council snubbed a “gift” from him of a €30 million building and €1.2 million in funding last year.

The horse racing mogul and philanthropist is understood to be deeply hurt by the joint local authority’s controversial decision to decline his offer of the International Rugby Experience (IRE) building on O’Connell Street in Limerick city, as well as funding for operating costs, and he will aim to set the record straight over costs associated with the not-for-profit venture.

A difference of opinion between the council and Mr McManus around the costs of operating the IRE led to the deal falling flat.

The building was built to honour the sport of rugby and was launched by a host of well-known players in 2023. However, the facility has been gathering dust since its shock closure last December.

Fifty people were employed at the IRE, which delivered an estimated €7.8 million boost to the local economy and 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open.

Mr McManus, who secured the 2027 Ryder Cup for Limerick at his five-star Adare Manor Hotel, is to address the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, senior executives and elected representatives at an in-camera briefing at council headquarters in Dooradoyle next Thursday.

Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, who has been critical of the council’s decision to decline Mr McManus’s “generous offer”, said: “The gift horse is still there and the council is still looking at it in the mouth.”

“My view is that it is a fantastic facility for Limerick and certain commitments were made by the council and it seems to me they weren’t honoured, it’s a tragedy to see it closed down now.

“In fairness to JP, he has put his money where his mouth is, he invested in it and developed it to a magnificent standard, and in my opinion, there is an onus on the council to utilise it in the interests of the people not just locally, but nationally,” added Mr O’Dea.

Local Labour councillor Joe Leddin argued that while he accepted the council executive, led by Mayor Moran, had bona fide concerns about the cost of running the IRE into the future, the planned meeting with Mr McManus on Thursday was a “welcome” development.

“To be fair to JP, he expended €30 million+ on the acquisition of the old building, the design and rebuild and operations, and its unfortunate now to see the facility closed in the heart of the city.

“I along with most, if not all, councillors would like to see the building used for something, but we have to be cognisant that councillors are in charge of public monies and therein lies the challenge,” said Cllr Leddin.

Last May, the IRE said Mr McManus’s “entirely debt free, gift” to the council to run the IRE until 2028 and then, if it wished, to use the building ‘for any civic purpose” thereafter, had been agreed with the local authority when heads of terms were signed by both parties in March 2024.

The IRE explained it was “unable to advance” the proposed deal with the council, leading to the IRE’s closure.

The IRE stated it’s thanks to Irish rugby legends Paul O’Connell and Keith Wood for their “fantastic assistance” in getting the not for profit charitable venture off the ground.

In response, Limerick City Council said it was “disappointed” with the IRE’s decision to close its doors, and it argued that it had made “very effort” to secure the deal.

The council added that it was “unable to secure a viable path forward” after finding it would have had to find “substantial operational and capital funding” to continue the project.

A counter offer from Mayor Moran to use €300,000 of his Mayoral Fund to help keep the facility open for the next three years was rejected by the IRE.

IRE chief executive Barry Hannon claimed that figures presented to councillors were “over-inflated and were not included in the heads of agreement” which both parties had agreed in in principal in August 2023.

It’s understood Mr McManus will address councillors about his disappointment at how the deal has turned sour, and will advise councillors about what he believes is the cost of running the building going forward.