Another delay to deliver new Portlaoise library

A final delay has been announced to open the long awaited new library in Portlaoise.

The library was first planned back in 2013 when a site was bought for it, the old Shaws shop on Main Street.

Fast forward 10 years and multiple delays and price rises, and the €6.5 million architecturally designed spacious building is near completion.

Laois County Council announced the latest opening date, most recently expected in June. It will now be July.

"External works and construction works continued on the new library during May 2023.

"Interior finishes, IT cabling, heating and lift commissioning have been completed.

"Library shelving and furniture installation will be completed in early June and delivery of library stock for the library spaces
will then commence with a planned opening date to the public in early July," the council's library department stated in the monthly report to Laois County Council.

Below: a glimpse inside the library as it was being fitted with furniture.

The new library is estimated to cost €6.5 million plus VAT, with that latest figure given one year ago by the council.  The Government will fund €5.687 million of the cost of the library, with the rest paid from Laois County Council's budget.

The landmark building is under construction since 2019, and was first estimated to cost €3 million not including equipment.

It was hit by delays, firstly when the actual cost came in at €4.35m and the project was shelved to wait for extra Government support. Contamination of oil on the site added another delay and half a million to the bill. Then Covid paused works for some time.

It replaces a small Portlaoise library which is on the first floor over shops in Lyster Square, as well as other administration and storage spaces used by the Laois Library Service around Portlaoise town.

Portlaoise former hardware and bakery store snapped up by council

The library was first expected to be finished in 2017, with several completions dates since come and gone, most recently being last winter.

Designed by Portlaoise architects McCarthy O'Hora, it offers a 1,500m² central branch library with a local studies centre, an ICT room, staff offices, events area and an exhibition space.  

It has a series of interconnecting rooms both single height and double height, lined with bookcases, reading desks and galleries, offering a combination of calm study areas and animated public spaces. The old Shaws corner pediment was recreated in the new design.