Prior's-Land in Limerick in County Limerick, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
Number 44 O’Connell Street
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 13, 2026
1. Number 44 O’Connell Street Marker
The first occupant of this fine Georgian town house is thought to have been John Fitzgerald Gabbett in 1827. His family lived in Strand House where the Limerick Strand Hotel is now located.
Number 44 has also been home to Mr George Vicker’s ‘Music Academy and Piano Forte Warerooms’ in 1844, Mr Bull’s sadlier shop in 1856, Carlo Cerri’s international art gallery in 1860, William Earl’s ‘New Woollen Drapery and Tailoring establishment’ in 1861 and Dr George Myles medical practice in 1875.
In 1866, Number 44 quite literally connected the citizens of Limerick with the rest of the world when the Electric and International Telegraph Company opened their office here.
However, the building is more widely remembered as Stewart’s Chemist shop which remained within the family from about 1884 to 1966.
Stewart’s Chemist
A family business, Stewart’s Chemists was opened and run by Joseph Stewart and then subsequently by his two sons Standish and Joseph Bernard.
In 1911, Joseph commissioned architect William Clifford Smith to design a new shop front for the family pharmacy at Number 44.
William Clifford Smith
W. Clifford Smith, born in Poole, Dorset in 1882, won the International competition to design a new club house for Shannon Rowing Club in 1902. It is said that one of the conditions of this award was his relocation to Limerick to oversee the build; and so started the long and prolific career of one of the most admired Arts & Crafts architects in Ireland.
Nearby Clifford Smith works include the facades of Number 45 O’Connell Street and the Belltable Arts Centre.
Standish Stewart
Standish married Norah O’Malley from Corbally, daughter of architect Joseph P O’Malley, on 6 June 1928. Norah is the stepsister of Donogh O’Malley through her
this page online
Prior to his death in 1967, Standish sold Number 44 ending the Stewart family’s 82 year connection with the building.
Joseph Stewart
By way of acknowledgement to Standish and Joseph Bernard’s father, Joseph Stewart of Number 44, who acted as Honorary Treasurer of the Carnegie Free Library and Museum on Pery Square, a painting from the Limerick City Gallery of Art, LCGA permanent collection, by Limerick artist Jack Donovan features in the main shop window.
Extracts from research by Dr. Martin Walsh
Erected by Studio GBM.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 52° 39.696′ N, 8° 37.733′ W. Marker is in Limerick, Munster, in County Limerick. It is in Prior's-Land. It is on O'Connell Street west of Cecil Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 13, 2026
2. Number 44 O’Connell Street
The display is in honor of architect William Clifford Smith, who designed Nos. 44 & 45 O'Connell Street, among other buildings.
Regionally, this marker is in the Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Desmond O’Grady (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Augustine's Church (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Tait’s Clock (about 210 meters away); Dockers Monument (about 210 meters away); Richard Harris playing King Arthur in Camelot (about 210 meters away); Richard Harris in This Sporting Life (about 210 meters away); Richard Harris in Gladiator (about 210 meters away); Richard Harris in The Field (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Limerick.
Also see . . . Culture Night: The Story of Architect William Clifford Smith.
Previously shown at Shannon Rowing Club during Open House Limerick, this pop up exhibition now finds a fitting home in Number 44, once the site of Stewart’s Chemist. Founded in 1884 by Joseph Stewart, the family-run pharmacy operated for over 80 years. In 1911, Stewart employed Clifford Smith to redesign the shopfront in an Arts & Crafts style. Born in Poole, Dorset in 1882, Smith rose to prominence after winning an international competition in 1902 to design the new Shannon Rowing Club. One requirement: move to Limerick to oversee construction, a move that spurred a celebrated Arts & Crafts architectural career in Ireland.(Submitted on May 25, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
