A Premier Inn hotel is set to open in the new Opera Square development in Limerick city.
The multi-million euro investment by Whitbread will see the construction of a 156-bedroom hotel at the corner of Ellen Street and Patrick Street.
The project marks the first private investment within the wider Opera Square development and forms part of Whitbread's strategy to expand its footprint across Ireland, with a target of 5,000 hotel rooms nationwide.
Whitbread currently operates six hotels in Dublin and Cork, offering more than 1,000 rooms, with a further six locations and an additional 1,000 rooms in development.
The planned Limerick hotel, subject to an amendment to existing planning permission, will be a seven-storey building featuring a mix of standard rooms and enhanced "Premier Plus" accommodation. It will also include a ground-floor lounge designed for both business and leisure guests.
Limerick is experiencing strong demand for hotel accommodation and Whitbread estimates the hotel could welcome approximately 60,000 guests annually based on occupancy trends at its existing properties.
Matt Gent, Development Manager for Whitbread in Ireland, said Ireland represents a major growth opportunity for the brand and Limerick has long been a target location.
"Opera Square offers an excellent mix of centrality, connectivity and long-term potential for both business and leisure guests, and we’re pleased to be investing in a development that forms part of the wider regeneration of the city centre, something Whitbread has a long and successful track record of doing in Ireland and across the UK," Mr Gent said.
Whitbread is expected to submit a planning application to Limerick City and County Council before the summer, with construction potentially beginning in 2027, subject to approval.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, welcomed the development, describing it as a key step in delivering the long-awaited Opera Square project.
He said the hotel would help drive footfall, support local businesses, and contribute to the creation of a vibrant mixed-use city centre quarter.
Chair of Limerick Twenty Thirty, James Collins, described the investment as a strong vote of confidence in both the Opera Square project and Limerick’s economic potential.
"We are particularly pleased to secure an investment of this scale from an international operator that has been actively seeking the right location in the city, demonstrating the value of Limerick Twenty Thirty’s strategy to unlock strategic sites and attract high-quality external investment that supports long-term regeneration," Mr Collins said.
Premier Inn first entered the Irish market in 2019 with the acquisition of a Dublin city centre site. Since then, it has expanded steadily, including a major waterfront hotel in Cork, and increased its national room target from 3,500 to 5,000.
The Limerick hotel is expected to create approximately 30 permanent jobs, with recruitment focused locally. All staff will be directly employed by Whitbread.
