New Kinsale Library to have performance space and tiered seats

A MODERN new three storey library for Kinsale, estimated to cost about €2.6m, which will also contain a multi-functional events space, is on the cards after it cleared a planning hurdle at a meeting of Cork County Council.

It is proposed to provide a new library at the Old Mill building, also known as the James O’Neill building in Church Square, which would replace the current library located at the Methodist Hall. 

The local authority sought planning permission back in January for the new library and no submissions were received over the proposed development.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) welcomed this latest development and said it will be a marvellous development for the town.

‘This is badly needed in Kinsale and will be a wonderful space as well as providing a performance space too for the arts,’ said Cllr Coughlan.

It is proposed that the ground floor foyer in the new library will act as both an entrance hall and a performance space with tiered seating and a grand staircase leading to the first floor level.

 A side hall can be used for a large exhibition space and a multi-purpose meeting room with temporary seating capacity for over 60 patrons.

The grand staircase doubles as both circulation and tiered seating for casual reading or spectators to a performance in the foyer below. 

The second floor level (mezzanine) is accessed directly off the main library hub and the upper level will function as the main Reading Room.

A Council spokesperson said the costs  are at the lower end of the scale of Library Capital Programmes costs nationally. 

‘This  would represent a very good investment for the town of Kinsale, providing a large modern library to high specification, incorporating much larger collections, study spaces and facilities, a children’s library and a multi-functional cultural events space for talks, workshops, exhibitions and performance,’ they added.