When the newly renovated Ballymahon library officially opens in March, it will be a modern library “owned by the whole community”, according to Longford county librarian Mary Reynolds.
The county librarian is delighted the €1.5 million revamp of the former courthouse is almost complete and will soon be open to all members of the community.
“It will be a community space. We will have facilities for exhibitions, book launches, readings, and opportunities for organising events. The objective is whole community ownership. It is a beautiful old building dating from 1819, and is a real focal point in the town.”
While the local library has maintained a presence in the building for over 20 years, the building was originally built as a market house and later used as a courthouse. The renovation, undertaken by Purcell Construction and Sean Harrington architects, will restore the building to its former glory. It also includes a plaza to the front of the building, as well as an extension to the rear.
“We are delighted people will have proper space to use. We see it as a meeting space,” said Ms Reynolds.
“The ground floor is the lending library, and upstairs we have the Goldsmith room which houses a Goldsmith collection and will provide a space for exhibitions, book launches, and community cultural events.”
The library renovation project has been in gestation for five years, and construction started in early 2010. An official opening is anticipated for March this year.
