Georgian Gem No 4 Patrick Street Awaits Revival in Limerick

Located in the heart of Limerick, No 4 Patrick Street stands as a testament to the city’s rich Georgian heritage. Built around 1780, this redbrick townhouse formed part of a distinguished terrace in the area originally known as Newtown Pery. The building, which includes a shop unit dating from approximately 1860, has become obscured by a long-standing hoarding due to the ongoing Opera project, which aims to revitalize the city centre.

Patrick Street was named in honour of a member of the prominent Arthur family, responsible for constructing Arthur’s Quay. Historical photographs from the Lawrence Collection, held by the National Library of Ireland, depict the street bustling with shoppers during its peak years. Unfortunately, the iconic green shopfront of No 4 has remained hidden from public view in recent times.

Catherine Hayes and the Legacy of Commerce

No 4 Patrick Street is perhaps most famously associated with Catherine Hayes, who was born there in 1818 and went on to achieve international fame as an opera singer, with Queen Victoria among her admirers. Hayes passed away in 1861 and is interred at Kensal Green Cemetery in London. Beyond its links to notable figures, the premises has functioned as a commercial space for various merchants throughout its history.

In 1803, the property was home to Gerald Fitzgerald, who advertised a “fashionable assortment of linen and woolen goods.” After retiring in 1805, he offered the building for rental, emphasizing a remarkable remaining lease of 850 years. Following Fitzgerald, John Joyce established a tailoring business that thrived for nearly three decades. The Joyce brothers, Stephen and Joseph, continued the family tradition after their father’s death, assuring patrons that the “good workmanship and fair dealing” that defined their father’s legacy would persist.

Throughout the 19th century, the property remained a sought-after venue for various businesses. From 1846 to 1856, Mary Ryan and Thomas Carmody operated a confectionery there. The premises later transitioned to James Keogh & Co, a clothier, followed by a tobacconist shop run by James and Charles Kelly from 1877 to 1884. By the end of the century, John Ryan transformed the shop into a hairdressing salon.

A Future for No 4 Patrick Street

By 1912, the business landscape had evolved once more, with James Williams & Co listed as fancy goods merchants at No 4. James, the son of Henry David Williams, continued to build on the store’s legacy, promoting a diverse array of products, including Irish-made cards and an assortment of toys and dolls. His advertising efforts in local newspapers, such as the Munster News, highlighted the store’s unique offerings.

The shop operated into the late 1970s, although advertisements ceased in the mid-1950s. The last mention of the Williams family in local newspapers occurred in January 1954, following the death of James Williams’s brother, John Peter McCardle Williams.

As 2025 approaches, the weathered facade of No 4 Patrick Street awaits conservation efforts tied to the Opera project. There is optimism that this historic Georgian townhouse will play a role in the revitalization of the area. Ideas for its future include transforming it into a museum dedicated to Catherine Hayes or a “museum shop” that preserves the original interiors while celebrating the rich retail history of Newtown Pery.

This potential revival could serve not only to honour the past but also to attract visitors to Limerick’s city centre. Dr Paul O’Brien, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Education at Mary Immaculate College, expressed interest in connecting with descendants of the Williams family as plans progress.

As the city looks forward to a new chapter for No 4 Patrick Street, the hope remains that this Georgian gem will once again become a vibrant part of Limerick’s commercial heart.