Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys visits Laois to officially open Ireland’s newest library and launch National Library Strategy
- Published on: 17 July 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
- Ireland’s newest library in Portlaoise officially opens; €7.5 million investment
- ambitious new strategy to place libraries ‘at the heart of our communities’ also launched
- Minister also opens a number of rural development projects including Mountmellick Arts Centre and Timahoe Heritage Centre
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has today (Monday 17 July) launched ‘The Library is the Place’, an ambitious new five year strategy designed to support and strengthen our public library network.
The Library is the Place contains 66 separate actions which will ensure our public libraries become multi-purpose social and educational spaces for all members of the community to enjoy.
The strategy was launched as Minister Humphreys officially opened Ireland’s newest library facility in Portlaoise, which received an investment of almost €7.5 million.
The impressive building accommodating the new Portlaoise library is located on Main Street in the heart of the town and will form a significant element of the Cultural Quarter development in the historic core of the town.
The new building will provide library space of approximately 1,600 square metres, comprising of a community activity space, study space and a children’s library with exhibition and activities area.
It also features a Local Studies section and reading room where people can access the Laois Local Studies Collection, which has a large selection of printed books, journals, newspapers, microfilmed and digitised records and archival material pertaining to the county.
Speaking as she performed the official opening in Portlaoise, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m delighted to officially open Ireland’s newest library facility – a €7.5 million state-of-the-art project in the heart of Portlaoise. This facility is on the site of an old department store. And now, it has been totally transformed for 21st century use. I’m very pleased also to launch ‘The Library is the Place’ – our ambitious new strategy designed to support and strengthen our public library service over the next five years. Our libraries are at the heart of our towns and villages – with over 300 facilities nationwide. They are places that provide key services and cater for all members of the community."
The Minister also acknowledged the role of Laois County Council staff and commended the collaboration between local and central government that has ensured the successful delivery of the new facility.
Minister also opens a number of rural development projects including Mountmellick Arts Centre and Timahoe Heritage Centre.
While in Co. Laois the Minister also officially opened a number of rural development projects funded by her department.
The newly refurbished Mountmellick Arts Centre was officially opened by the Minister during her visit to Laois.
This project received investment from the Minister’s department to enhance existing facilities both internally and externally.
The Minister also performed the official opening of Carrigmeal Woods Walk which received €50,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
The funding provided for a new map board in the carpark and extension of the carpark itself as well as signage and information points on the loop walk.
The Minister continued on her day in Laois where she performed the official opening of Official Timahoe Heritage Centre. This project received a total investment of €176,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Speaking at the final stop of the day in Portarlington, where she turned the sod on the Market House and Square project, the Minister said:
“I’m delighted to be here in Portarlington for what is my final stop on what has been a wonderful visit to County Laois today. This project is all about revitalising and re-imagining the historical town centre here in Portarlington. So what you’re doing here is taking this old historical building in the Market House. And you’re going to transform it into the central hub of this community.”
The Minister concluded:
“This project is a perfect example of what we are all working together to achieve under the government’s five year rural development policy, Our Rural Future. That’s revitalising our rural towns and villages – making them even better places to live, work and raise a family.”
Notes
Portlaoise Library
Occupying a central location on the Main Street, the library will form a significant element of the Cultural Quarter development in the historic core of Portlaoise showcasing and promoting the Fort Protector and Fitzmaurice Place. The new part two storey /part three storey building will provide library space of 1,600 square metres approximately, comprising of a ground floor space of 850 square metres and upper floor space of 750 square metres.
The new library will consist of the following:
- adult library with reference and easy area for browsing newspapers and Wi-Fi
- IT area with printing and IT learning suite
- community activity space
- study space
- children’s library with exhibition and activities area
- local studies section and reading room
- administration offices for library staff
MCOH Architects, who are based in Portlaoise, designed the building.
The Local Studies section and reading room in the new library will be a great addition to the service and to the town providing a dedicated space and access to the Laois Local Studies Collection, which has a large selection of printed books, journals, newspapers, microfilmed and digitized records and archival material pertaining to the county. By including the Local Studies in the new library facility and with increased opening hours, the public, schools and visitors from outside the county will have easier access to this unique resource.
To the rear of the library building an internal courtyard/garden space will be provided and library patrons will be able to browse and use the space as a reading area, contemplative space and also view the Fort Wall which is at the boundary of the library.
The library has been designed to be universally accessible, welcoming and inclusive to the community as well as providing sensory collections and programmes to support children, young adults and adults with disabilities, additional needs, and learning challenges, along with their families, educators and caregivers.
Portlaoise Library was Ireland’s First Library of Sanctuary - a library that is committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion, especially for people in International Protection (refugees and asylum seekers) and all newcomers to the area.