Ballymahon Library revamp to be complete in December

Construction work is underway on the €1.5 million facelift for Ballymahon Library with a completion date pencilled in for next December, it emerged recently. The revamp of the old courthouse premises, one of oldest in the town dating back to 1820, will encompass the provision of a state-of-the-art branch library, one-stop-shop and community facility, with a plaza to the front, but most importantly the historic features of the building will be retained and enhanced within the modern use as can be seen in the 3D plan picture above. The project, to be finished in December means the current library is operating temporarily in Bridgeways Resource Centre opposite Ballymahon Vocational school every Friday from 12pm-6pm. Under the ambitious plans, the bottom floor of the building will be refurbished in to a full library with all the modern facilities including a children's corner, computer facilities, lending and reference library and soft seating area with coffee, magazines and newspapers. There will also be an extension to the rear to house a lift and provide bigger storage space, with the upstairs retained as a large meeting hall or community room for the general public. The community hall element is also expected to double as a local studies room, complimented by two smaller meeting rooms. The extension at the rear will provide for public toilets, fire escape, access lift and stores. Local Cllr Barney Steele welcomed work beginning on the project, an important focal point for the town and one that he hopes will give some employment locally. The completion date for the project is fixed for December 13, he concluded. Galway-based construction firm Purcells will carry out the refurbishment works and the architect involved in Dublin firm Sean Harrington Architects.