A new centre for contemporary dance, partly funded by businessman JP McManus, was opened in Limerick yesterday.
The €1.2 million venue will be the new performance space for the Limerick-based Daghdha Dance Company, and is located at the former Church of St John of the Cross at John's Square in Limerick city.
Minister for the Arts John O'Donoghue travelled to Limerick yesterday to officially open the venue, which will be used for exhibitions, rehearsals, classes and concerts.
According to Daghdha's artistic director Micheál Klein, the former church will not only be a home for dance in Limerick but will stand as a "national institute".
Funding for the renovation project was obtained from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism under the National Development Fund, with additional funding received from the JP McManus Foundation, the Arts Council, Limerick City and County Councils and Shannon Development.
"Daghdha's new home and performance space will not only become the heart of the mid-west artistic community, but its unique offering to the development of contemporary dance, both in research and choreography, makes it a cultural resource that will enhance contemporary dance in Ireland and make Limerick a world leader in this field," said Mr Klein.
"Daghdha eagerly looks forward to consolidating its national and international reputation as a leading creative entity in this truly inspiring building and setting."
To mark the opening, Daghdha will present Framemakers, a month-long programme of free activities at its new home. It is open to the public every Tuesday to Saturday until June 12th.