Contractors moved on site last week to commence the next phase in Fingal County Council’s development of the Swords Cultural Quarter – the refurbishment of the Carnegie Free Library on North Street.
The council have appointed Kelbuild Ltd as main contractors to carry out works which includes the construction of a new two-storey extension to the side of the building to facilitate new services and improve universal access. The works are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The project will provide workspaces and a creative hub with flexibility for a range of community and arts activities including rehearsal and performance uses. The works to Carnegie Free Library will cost €1.5m and is being partially funded through a grant issued under the European Regional Development Fund for the Swords Cultural Quarter.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, said: “The Swords Cultural Quarter is a flagship project for FCC and it is great to see work on part of it commence. When complete the Carnegie Free Library project will bring vibrancy and urban regeneration not only to North Street but also to the surrounding urban centre of Swords and will complement the other works planned for this area.”
The original Carnegie Free Library building dates from 1908 and is recorded as a Protected Structure. It is owned by FCC. The Local Studies and Archives section of FCC’s Libraries Department located in the Carnegie Free Library has been relocated to an adjacent building on North Street.
See more at www.fingal.ie/swordsculturalquarter
