DUBLIN City Council is exploring the possibility of
relocating the central library to a more suitable location.
Northside People can reveal that the search is on to
find a new home for the library, which has long since outgrown its current
location tucked away in the Ilac Shopping Centre on Henry Street.
Half a million visit the library – which opened in
1986 – every year.
However, its time on the top floor of the shopping
centre is drawing to a close as the city council has revealed that the
provision of a
“21st century central library for Dublin is a cultural
objective
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A council spokesperson confirmed that a detailed brief
has been prepared in relation to plans to replace the library.
“Alternative site scenarios are currently being
reviewed and costed,
? he said.
“Capital budget provision has been provided for this
exploratory phase only.
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It’s understood that the plans to relocate the library
are being considered in the context of Dublin’s status of UNESCO City of
Literature.
In 2010, the capital became one in four cities in the
world to achieve the prestigious status.
Dublin North Central TD Aodhán Ã? RÃordáin (Lab)
believes the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, NAMA and the city
council should all be involved in the search for a more appropriate and iconic
site for the library.
“I believe that given our remarkable literary heritage
the city library deserves state-of-the-art surroundings which would proudly
showcase our strong literary culture,
? he stated.
“I would greatly welcome a new site for the Dublin
City Library.
“The current location of the library in the Ilac
Centre is clearly inappropriate given Dublin’s rich literary heritage and also
given our new status as a UNESCO City of Literature.
“The fact that the city of Joyce, Yeates, Beckett,
Stoker and Wilde does not have an iconic site for a city library is a matter of
considerable shame for those who value this heritage so dearly.
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Deputy O’Riordain previously suggested that the
library would be best situated in the Bank of Ireland site on College Green.
“It is a matter of deep regret that the previously
identified Ambassador site on Parnell Square wasn’t considered suitable as a
long-term home for the library when inspected thoroughly by city council
officials,
? he said.
“It is now time for the minister’s department to
engage proactively with Dublin City Council and NAMA on this issue in order to
find a permanent home for a city library that would befit Dublin’s
world-renowned literary reputation.
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