Laois library railings an ‘eyesore’

A set of railings outside a Laois library were branded an “eyesore” during a recent meeting.  

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan asked in a motion: “That Laois County Council arrange for the railing at Stradbally Library to be cleaned and painted”.

In reply, Bernie Foran from Laois County Council’s Library Section said: “The Library Section will examine in 2026 with a view to seek suitable quotations for the works as below next year. 

Although a modest budget for painting has been provided for in 2026  Library and Arthouse budgets, this was for external painting of the building and did not include the railings at this time. Additional funding may be required to do the railings.”

“I think they are a bit of an eyesore,” said Cllr Phelan. She said Stradbally “Tidy Towns in the town are trying to do their best…I would like to see the work done and I do think it would be money well spent”. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy described the Stradbally Library as a “fabulous building” and said it would be a shame to see it go to rack and ruin. He seconded the motion at the November meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.