Construction on new Finglas library begins

The sod has been turned on a site in Finglas for the construction of a new community library.

The first phase of the development involves the full refurbishment of the existing building on the site of the former An Post sorting office.

According to Dublin City Council, the “main fabric of the building is intact, making it an ideal candidate for ‘upcycling’.

“The building will be retrofitted to meet contemporary thermal performance requirements and specific interventions have been made to optimise daylight and space to provide a sense of well-being and a vibrant place for the community.

“The new library will replace the existing service, which opened in 1980 and is located on the first floor of the Finglas Village Centre,” a spokesperson says.

Local Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe said: “Although the building is slightly smaller than the current location it offers many advantages.”

“It is council-owned, universally accessible throughout, it has a highly visible street presence in the centre of the village and is located on a site of significant size with potential to extend, provide outdoor space and grow as a community hub for the people of Finglas.”

The current Finglas library is “woefully unfit for purpose,” Deputy McAuliffe says, and construction on the new premises began last week with an estimated build time of six months.

Speaking at the launch of the project the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy said: “I am delighted to mark the start of the works on the new public library for Finglas.

“Libraries are vital public spaces at the heart of their communities.

“While the existing library in Finglas village is a much loved and well used local resource, this new library will be a modern, universally accessible community space, and I look forward to seeing the exciting new services that the library service will deliver for the people of Finglas.

“I am pleased to see that the project approach has been to retain and upcycle an existing, vacant building instead of knocking it down and re-building, taking a low energy approach and contributing to Dublin City’s sustainability objectives.”

It is planned that the new library will open in Spring 2023.

Deputy McAuliffe said: “I am pleased to see progress after a number of delays with the tender process, this library will be a big improvement for the Finglas area and will be much more accessible for all than the current library.

“Over €2 million has been secured for this project and its great to see works finally starting.”