Newest library in Ireland officially opened by Minister in Portlaoise

The “dust is settling”on the brand new €7.6m Portlaoise County Library that opened to the public this Tuesday.

It ends an epic ten year origin story, and a busy three weeks of late nights for library staff to fill shelves to meet the latest deadline.

A decade after the old Shaws shop was bought by Laois County Council with the twin hope of tackling urban dereliction and expanding the library for the growing population, it was opened by Minister for Rural Affairs and for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.

“This is a wonderful way to start the week, a landmark day for our fantastic public library service. It gives me great pleasure to open Ireland's newest library here in Laois,” she said.

Below: Cllr Thomasina Connell, Minister Heather Humphreys, Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran.

She acknowledged the work of retired councillor and librarian Mary Sweeney, pursuit of an extra grant to meet its rising costs by Deputy Charlie Flanagan TD, and the work by Laois County Council's library services team.

The bright airy two storey open plan building was thronged with guests eager to see inside and recall what they used to buy there when Shaws stood in its place.

The library has two extra staff, enough to now open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday.

It has a local studies centre, ICT room, events area, an exhibition space, and a sunny rear garden at the base of the town's 16th century fort wall.

It will also become the second Laois library after Portarlington to give card members access to the building from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year.

“If you've nothing else to do on Christmas Day you can access your library,” Minister Humphreys noted.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy in what is his first speech as Cathaoirleach said he was “absolutely gobsmacked” by it.

“We all supported it from day one though some didn't think it a great idea. Now it's a state of the art modern facility, a place to relax and recharge in the heart of town,” he said.

Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland said “finally” they had it opened.

“The library service has done such a great job. It will be enjoyed by many for the next 150 to 250 years. It's a great day for our community, and shoppers and traders will get part of their street back.

“It shows what can be done in rural Ireland when people get together. I thank the departments for their grants that have given a great boost to a town like Portlaoise. I've not seen anything like it.

“Libraries stand against the commodification of knowledge, based on a right instead of on wealth,” he said.

He thanked the design and construction team, including local architects McOH and local QS MJ Turley.

Music was provided by stirring tunes on the Oillean Pipes by young Mountmellick piper Niamh Morris.

Portlaoise native, poet Pat Boran read a poem he wrote over the previous night recalling Shaws old shop and revelling in the new literary opportunities for the town.

The old library above shops in Lyster Square was very cramped said County Librarian Bernie Foran.

“It was incredible, we had no dedicated space for any events. The children's library was only about 100msq and here it is over 700msq. Really its for children and students and communities that don't have the access that others do,” she said.

Laois TD Brian Stanley, Minister of State Sean Fleming, TD Charlie Flanagan, Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister of State Pippa Hackett and Laois County Librarian Bernie Foran outside the new Portlaoise Library. 

A blessing was performed by Rev Janet Finlay, who read out prayers that were jointly prepared with Monsignor John Byrne who got called away from the event.

Delight in Laois as Minister cuts the ribbon on new €7.5 million Portlaoise Library

Portlaoise Imam Ahmed Halawa sang a prayer from the Koran on the importance of books and learning.

On the same day, Minister Humphreys visited the renovated Mountmellick Arts Centre, Portarlington Market House project, Carrigmeal woodland walk and Timahoe Heritage Centre, all grant aided.