The physical facelift is symptomatic of the exceptional confidence in the City of Limerick. Home to a number of companies that are significant to the national economy (including Dell, Wyeth, Aughinish Alumina and Analog Devices), it is also the jewel in the economic crown of the area serviced by Shannon Development - a unique development agency which has helped breathe new life into the mid-west of Ireland.

Indeed, it has been estimated that, of a population of about 100,000, there are in the region of 12,000 people employed in Limerick in indigenous companies supported by Shannon Development.

This economic success can be attributed to a number of factors, including ease of access and physical location.

"The ease of access is crucial for business to thrive, " said Pat Daly, regional manager for Limerick with Shannon Development. "Whether by road, rail or air, Limerick is well serviced. But equally, its location is excellent, with a good walking city only a few minutes from a more rural experience - and this city centre is currently being enhanced through an unprecedented investment into the physical domain."

The Limerick Riverside City Project is the most important link in the regeneration of the city - indeed, such is the symbiosis between Limerick and the Shannon river that to improve one is to improve the other. A Shannon Development led project with key partners such as local authorities, third level institutions, Limerick Civic Trust, Waterways Ireland and the Shannon Foynes Port Company, the project is looking to exploit Limerick's riverside location by significantly enhancing the length of the river within the city, breathing new life into some areas while elongating the city centre overall. And by injecting more than 1bn into a relatively small city, the project guarantees more than a facelift - it promises a complete overhaul of the way people look at Limerick.

Major new developments for Limerick's infrastructure include the pedestrianisation of large parts of the city (Bedford Row is part of the first phase), the development of a fourth crossing for the Shannon (a tunnel), and the proposed creation of the Opera Centre - described as a "mini-Dundrum", this will be a 300,000 sq ft retail and civic centre for the heart of the city.