Limerick Milk Market Welcomes New Training Centre Funded by The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation

A former takeaway unit at the Limerick Milk Market (LMM), which needed a significant renovation, has been given a new lease of life this summer following a project funded by The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation (MGCF).

Work on the project commenced in March 2026 and was completed at the beginning of July. Since then, the new team at the Rising Together Training Centre (RTTC), Unit G1 at the Milk Market, has been trialling the facility, with the official launch and unveiling taking place on 29^th September 2026. The event will bring together representatives from MGCF, LMM and RTTC to mark the opening of the new training centre.

“The Limerick Milk Market team are delighted to receive the support to deliver on a long-held ambition to develop a food training centre in the heart of Limerick’s food community at the Milk Market.

“The unit renovation and fit-out was kindly sponsored by The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation. We are very grateful for the generosity and support of the team and board at MGCF, who backed the project to transform a disused former takeaway into a modern, fully equipped kitchen training centre providing inclusive, skills-based training for adults with intellectual disabilities.

“On behalf of everyone at the Milk Market, we cannot thank MGCF enough for this vital support.”
Said David Fitzgerald, General Manager, Limerick Milk Market.

“This project is a great example of what can be achieved when organisations come together around a clear and practical idea. The new training centre will provide a supportive environment where people can develop skills, build confidence and gain meaningful experience in a real hospitality setting.

For the Foundation, it is particularly important that the project is focused on creating genuine opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate more fully in employment and community life. We are delighted to have played a part in bringing the centre to life and wish Rising Together every success as it develops.”
Said Derek Barrett, Chief Executive, The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation.

‘’The MG Foundation was delighted to help fund the refurbishment of the Rising Together Training Centre (RTTC) at the Limerick Milk Market.

This very admirable community-led social enterprise provides vocational training, work experience and employment pathways that unlock the potential of adults with intellectual disabilities.’’
Said Dr Michael Guinee, Founder, former CEO and current Chairman of Ei Electronics.

“This centre is about creating a place where adults with intellectual disabilities can learn through real work environment, discover their strengths and build a pathway into supported paid employment within our organisation and community networks. Since opening the doors this summer, we have seen participants grow in confidence as they develop baking, cooking, barista, catering and hospitality skills in the heart of the Milk Market. I am deeply grateful to The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation and the Limerick Milk Market for making this space possible, and to our participants and families who have helped shape it.”
Said Laura Holland, Founder & CEO, Rising Together Training Programmes.

The Centre will provide practical, vocational training in baking, cooking, barista skills, catering and hospitality, giving participants the opportunity to develop confidence and workplace skills in a real food and hospitality environment.

It currently opens Monday to Friday and offers a range of off-site catering options, as well as takeaway sandwiches, soups, treats, pizza slices, and pastries, helping to generate funding to support the operation.

“We are honoured to welcome such an important community asset to the Milk Market and surrounding area. The centre will provide much-needed training and assistance for those interested in developing skills in the food and hospitality sector. This project also has a significant secondary benefit, in that it will assist the food and hospitality industry by providing trained participants who are ready to join this exciting & vibrant sector.”

“This project is a perfect fit for the Milk Market, given its focus on social impact, food development, and skills and enterprise development within one of Ireland’s few remaining historic markets. On behalf of the Limerick Market Trustees, as a community-focused, non-profit Trust, we would once again like to wholeheartedly thank the team and board at The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation for approving our application and allocating the resources required to deliver such a worthy endeavour, while giving generously back to the people of Limerick and the wider region.”
Said Liam Flannery, Chairman of the Limerick Market Trustees.

Podcaste Limerick Milk Market welcomes new training centre creating employment for adults with intellectual disabilities – Live95 Limerick Today Podcasts | Acast

Link to Rising Together Training Centre | Facebook

Pictures of the Launch by Photographer Dermot Lynch