Construction has restarted on Clare County Library & Art Gallery in Ennis, Co Clare, in mid-west Ireland.
Stalled for many months following the collapse of the main contractor LM Keating, the project is once again underway with new contractor Coolsivna from Co. Galway appointed following a public re-tender.
The 2,320m2 project for client Clare County Council will form a new cultural hub for the town and the region. It will abut the town’s existing Glór Theatre (2001) adding the new County Library and a small gallery for contemporary art.
The main library over two floors is to be contained in an undulating curved façade that locks the project into the site geometry and establishes its unique identity. The county library administrative service is placed in a simple bar of accommodation above the library, with the art gallery placed on the opposite side of the main entrance in its own cubic form.
Currently at sub-structure stage, when complete the building will provide a single gateway to the literary, visual and performing arts contained within a single cultural complex.
Clare CEO, Pat Dowling “welcomed the re-activation of the project and looked forward to its opening in the latter part of 2023”.
Helen Walsh : County Librarian said… “the long awaited new library will bring a wonderful collaboration together on the site unifying the literary arts with the visual and performing arts”.
Keith Williams, the firm’s founder and director of design stated,
“This is a very important day in the genesis of this project and we are looking forward to the project now moving ahead once more. I am confident that over the course of the next 18 months, a beautiful new public building will arise on this site offering outstanding library facilities to the people of Ennis and the region.”
THE TEAM
Client : Clare County Council, Social Development Directorate, Library Services
Client Team:
Anne Haugh : Director of Service (Housing, Culture, Sport & Recreation):
Helen Walsh : County Librarian & Project Coordinator
Niamh Madden: Project Lead
Design Team:
ARUP : structural and civil engineers
AxisEng : MEP Engineer
AECOM : Cost Consultancy
OLM : PSDP
Main Contractor : Coolsivna
The project is funded by:
Dept. of Rural and Community Development
Dept. of Housing, Planning and Local Government
European Regional Development Fund (2014-2020)
Southern Regional Assembly
Clare County Council
The project was featured at: