Contract documents for Boyle’s new €7m Community Library signed

Contract documents for Boyle’s new €7m Community Library signed

Pictured at the signing of contact documents for the €7m Community Library in Boyle were back row: Gary O’Connor, Project Architect, Rhatigan Architects; Kieran Shaughnessy, Executive Librarian, Roscommon County Council; Neal Geraghty, Acting Senior Executive Engineer and Enda Mulryan, Acting Senior Engineer, Regeneration section, Roscommon County Council. Front row (l. to r.): Mark Keaveney, Director of Services; Trevor James, Lead Director, Rhatigan Architects; Cllr John Keogh, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council; Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive and Fiona Ní Chuinn, Director of Services, Roscommon County Council.

Contract documents for Boyle’s new €7m Community Library were signed last week.

The library, which will be located in an architectural conservation area to the rear of the Royal Hotel redevelopment, ‘An Ríoga’, is expected to open in the summer of 2026.

Roscommon County Council has secured funding for the development of the library.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated €5.6 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This will be matched by €1.4 million from the council’s own resources.

The development will include the construction of a new two-storey building developed to current library standards with an approximate area of 500 square metres.

It will also comprise a modern energy efficient design with a triple “A” pitched roof, with timber cladding and large glazed windows, and the construction of a sensory garden. The facility will also be ‘My Open Library’ enabled.

It will offer services and facilities, which include dedicated areas for children, general leisure reading, computer and study areas, meeting rooms and exhibition areas.

Welcoming the appointment of Rhatigan Architects Ltd., Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said: “This project, when complete, will provide a modern library facility in the heart of Boyle with ‘My Open Library’ technology facilitating extended hours of access for the people of Boyle and County Roscommon to enjoy for years to come.

“This is an exciting time for Boyle with a new state-of-the art library. In addition, the development includes the completion of landscaping works and the development of a pedestrian link between the new Boyle Community Library and Boyle car park. The new library facility is expected to open in summer 2026,” said the chief executive.

Local TD Frank Feighan said that the project “brings the projected spend in this area of Boyle to over €10m and will play a lead role in breathing new life into the town”.

Deputy Feighan praised Minister Humphreys’ Department of Rural and Community Development for their support and in recent months provided a further €1.2m to ensure there was no shortfalls in funding. “It complements the very significant funding for the town as part of the Boyle 2040 vision, making the town a great place to live and an attractive visitor destination. This is another significant day for Boyle,” he said.

“There are significant funding opportunities both through the department under other schemes and the government’s ‘Croi na Conaithe’ scheme that I hope many property owners may look at as an option to provide more opportunities for living in the town centre,” concluded Deputy Feighan.

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