Work begins on Kinsale’s new library

Work has now officially begun on Kinsale’s new €3.7m state of the art library facility.

It marks the commencement of extensive refurbishment works which will see the town centre heritage building being re-purposed as a new library.

The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan and Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys were present at the start of extensive refurbishment works which will turn a heritage building into a new library.

Designed by Cork County Council, the project will see the three-storey James O’Neill Building in Church Square converted into a modern library.

The building, known as the Old Mill, dates back to the late 19th century and will be transformed into a multi-purpose space with a wide variety of opportunities for community and cultural use. It will be 11 times the size of the existing library which is located in the Methodist Hall.

The overall value of the investment in the facility will be €3.7m, jointly funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Cork County Council.

The minister has committed a total of €2.157m from the Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), with the balance being provided by Cork County Council.

The council also made the premises available - along with the adjoining carpark facility - in a very expensive location.

Once complete, the venue will offer a ground floor entrance space and attached gallery exhibition area, a mezzanine area, a children’s area, an adult and study area, and a dedicated digital facilities suite.

The book stock available to borrow will increase from approximately 5,000 items to 25,000.

Speaking in Kinsale, the Minister said: “The completed library will offer quality digital facilities to support small local businesses, tourists and locals requiring these facilities for work or leisure.”