Construction starts on new Kildare library, county archives, local studies and cultural centre

Construction is now underway for the new Newbridge Library, County Archives, Local Studies and Cultural Centre in Kildare.

Kildare County Council welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Minister Martin Heydon T.D. and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer T.D. to Newbridge to mark the beginning of the construction phase of the new development.

The new facility will provide a modern public library, a permanent home for Kildare County Archives and Local Studies, and a wide range of cultural, learning, community and digital services in the heart of Newbridge.

The project will also include the careful conservation and restoration of the former County Library building, an Art Deco protected structure dating from the 1930s. 

With an overall project cost of approximately €21 million, the development is supported by Government funding, including €3 million from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht towards the construction and delivery phase.

The project has also been progressed with support from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. 

Once delivered, the new facility will increase library accommodation from approximately 550m² to 2,340m², providing a four-fold increase in capacity.

It will include adult, young adult and children’s library spaces, a County Archives repository, Local Studies and Genealogy Centre, public research and reading rooms, exhibition and gallery space, community meeting rooms, flexible cultural and performance spaces, a Maker Space, sensory room, study spaces, digital learning facilities and enhanced public realm. 

The new library will also include My Open Library, giving registered members independent access to the library from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year. 

Located beside Riverbank Arts Centre, the development will form a key part of a wider cultural and civic quarter for Newbridge, supporting town centre regeneration, increasing footfall and creating new opportunities for learning, creativity, heritage and community engagement. 

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Tim Durkan, said:  “This project represents a major investment in the future of Newbridge and the wider county. It will provide a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages to read, learn, research, create and connect. It is also an important step in strengthening Newbridge as a vibrant cultural and civic destination.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said:  “Newbridge is one of the fastest growing towns in County Kildare with a population of approximately 25,000. Enhancing our community facilities is a top priority across South Kildare.

This project will create a vibrant Cultural Quarter and strengthen Newbridge as a centre for culture, learning and community life. I would like to commend the Library Service and Local Authority in Kildare for their commitment and dedication to providing state-of-the-art library services across the county.”

The project is being managed by Kildare County Council’s Strategic Projects and Public Realm Team, with the appointed multidisciplinary design team led by Metropolitan Workshop Architects. Townlink Construction has been appointed as the main contractor.