CLARE’S new state of the art county library is nearing completion and is scheduled to open its doors to the public in two weeks.
To facilitate the November 11th opening of the library and art gallery, Clare County Council has confirmed that the current de Valera library on Harmony Row in Ennis will close its doors for the last time on Friday (November 1st).
It will remain closed from Saturday (November 2nd) to facilitate the move of all library stock and equipment to the new building adjacent to glór on Causeway Link, Ennis. The local studies building will close on Thursday (October 31st) and will reopen in the new facility.
A new library, library service headquarters, local studies centre and an exhibition space will be included in the new facility which officially opens to the public on Monday November 11th at 10am.
The 2,321sqm building comprises a public library over two floors which includes the local studies centre, a 100sqm art gallery and incorporates the County Library headquarters on the top floor. The new facility is a modern, sustainable building that will offer technologically advanced services whilst keeping the customer at the heart of service delivery.
London based, Keith Williams Architects designed the building. Keating Construction successfully tendered for the initial construction contract but the company entered liquidation, construction re-commenced with Coolsivna Construction in April 2022. Late 2021 was the original target for the finishing of the library which has a price tag close to €14m. The onset of COVID-19 and the pause in construction greatly disrupted these plans.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling said the official opening “will be a momentous occasion for the people of Clare as well as our library and art services when the long-anticipated Clare County Library and Art Gallery opens its doors for the first time. The location of this new development on the site of glór will allow for the co-location of the literary arts, the visual arts and the performing arts on one site. Within walking distance of town, the new landmark building will also extend the Ennis cultural route from the Museum at the town centre, to the Peace Park and onto what will be the new cultural hub”.
County Librarian Helen Walsh stated, “Library staff are excited to welcome everyone to the new library this November and are looking forward to helping people enjoy all that’s on offer”.
