the day began at the LSAD by an insightful overview of Laurent Ungerer’s most iconic projects and ended at Saint Mary's Cathedral, Limerick with a fascinating journey through the conception of Notre-Dame’s brand new logo and signage presented by Laurent Ungerer and his collaborator Raphael John. /3

Brought to Limerick by the Embassy of France in Ireland, in partnership with the Limerick Civic Trust, the Limerick School of Art & Design TUS, the University of Limerick and the Design & Craft Council of Ireland, as part of the Irish Design Week, with the participation of Irish Natural Stone. 2/

Let’s hope that 2026 will be the year when we can finally bring him back home! #SarsfieldHomecoming #CommunityEngagement #limerickandproud 6/6

Special thanks to LCCC Conservation Officers Shóna O’Keeffe and Nancy O’Neill for their crucial help. This is community spirit in action. The LCCC’s improvement works around the pedestal is another great achievement in honour of Irish hero Patrick Sarsfield. 5/6

Along the way, we have involved many local youth organisations and received the support of many local companies and inviduals. It was heartwarming to witness again today the reactions of the Garryowen inhabitants who were passing by. 4/6

… the cleaning and flowering of the area, the restoration of an access gate, the restoration of the pedestal lettering, the repair of the lighting and the creation of an explanatory panel. 3/6

This architectural restoration project was made at the request of the Sarsfield Statue Committee. Over the past 4 years, together with our fellow committee members, and in partnership with the Garryowen Residents Association, we have worked towards: …2/6

We have now raised 94% of the funding we need: gofund.me/a711ab176

On behalf of the whole project team, I wish to express our utmost gratitude to the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation for their incredibly generous and timely support thanks to which I am confident that we will be able to bring the project to completion by the end of next Spring. /11

“The team, led by Dr Loïc Guyon, has carried out intensive research over many years and we are hopeful that this effort and dedication will be rewarded by the return of Patrick Sarsfield to Limerick. A truly momentous and historical event for Limerick and of course, Ireland.” /10

“Projects like this strengthen community spirit and nurture lasting pride in local heritage — something we’re always keen to encourage”… 9/

“It’s inspiring to see people come together to celebrate their shared history and bring the story and spirit of Patrick Sarsfield to life, for a new generation”… 8/

Commenting on their donation to the project, Derek Barrett, CEO of the Foundation, said: “The Michael Guinee Foundation is proud to support the Sarsfield Homecoming Project…” 7/

It is thanks to this recently set-up charitable foundation, based in Shannon, that we were able to contract Belgian company ATECS to carry out the necessary works for us last September and that we were since able to move forward. 6/

Today I am really glad to announce that the organisation in question was the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation. 5/

Having decided from the start of the project that I would not rely on any public funding, I opted then to apply to a couple of local charitable organisations. Luckily one of them got back to me last June to confirm that my application for funding had been approved by their board. 4/

Despite two years of successful fundraising efforts, the generous support of over 400 people, of a number of organisations and of Limerick-based American company Carelon, we simply did not have enough funds left at that point to continue. 3/