A landmark Limerick church which was sold earlier this year may continue to be available as a place of worship.
The historic Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart and adjoining residence was sold for an estimated €4 million, prompting fears for its future. However, its new owner, Galway-based developer John O'Dolan, has revealed that he intends to preserve the church as a place of worship.
It is expected that Mr O'Dolan will shortly lodge a planning application with Limerick City Council to develop offices in the upstairs gallery of the building and adjoining residence.
Discussions are being held with religious organisations with a view to continuing to operate the church itself as a place of worship.
Mr O'Dolan said that the church would reopen to the public if planning officials approved his proposed development.
The future of the protected building has been the subject of considerable speculation since its closure last June. Campaigners had fought hard to keep the church open and to retain the façade and interior of the classically-designed building.
John Leonard, whose family attended Mass there for generations, gave a cautious welcome to the latest plans to keep the church open. "I certainly would be delighted if the church is reopened to the public, but I would not be happy with offices in the gallery area, as this could be considered as an invasion of the spiritual side of the church," he said.
The Church of the Sacred Heart opened its doors to Limerick congregations at The Crescent, O'Connell Avenue, in 1868. The decision to close it was announced by the Jesuit order last year, citing a fall in vocations, dwindling congregations and an abundance of Catholic churches in the city.
Despite the closure of the church the Jesuits have maintained a presence in Limerick at a new spiritual centre and through the Crescent Comprehensive. Noted past-pupils of the school, which moved from the city-centre to Dooradoyle in 1973, include the late actor Richard Harris, broadcaster Terry Wogan and Progressive Democrat founder Des O'Malley.