Skerries Carnegie Library reopens after €8.9 transformation, quadrupling in size

See the Skerries Library Spring Events Programme

The historic Skerries Carnegie Library has officially reopened following a major €8.9 million restoration and redevelopment project. The newly extended library, which is now quadruple its original size, will offer a wide range of services to cater for the people of Skerries and the surrounding area. 

 The Skerries Carnegie Library, a protected structure, has been carefully upgraded and extended providing a newly conceived space of approximately 852 square metres with multifunctional library spaces on three levels. Dedicated areas for children and young adults with direct access to Floraville Park, a creative zone, reading areas, computer and study areas, meeting rooms and an event space on the second-floor level are part of a range of services and facilities now available. 

A new public realm space has also been developed to the front of the library and St Patrick’s Church by Fingal County Council’s Architects Department in collaboration with St. Patrick’s Church and Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners Architects. The newly imagined space was designed to enhance this community area and improve the public realm, providing valuable communal space linking back to the Floraville Town park. The wide concrete footpaths have been replaced with granite and limestone paving, enhancing the special character of the Skerries Architectural Conservation Area. 

Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Tom O’Leary said: “Today is an important day for our community as we re-open the Skerries Carnegie Library to the public. €8.9 million has been invested to upgrade and transform this historic space, which is one of 66 Carnegie Libraries in Ireland. The library has served as a place of learning and inspiration since the early 1900’s, and its restoration and expansion ensures it will continue to do so for many years to come. I want to congratulate everyone involved in this project and I look forward to seeing people welcomed through the doors again”. 

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly said: “The comprehensive transformation of Skerries Library speaks to Fingal’s commitment to invest in meeting the evolving needs of our communities while honouring and preserving Fingal’s heritage. I want to acknowledge the incredible work of Fingal County Council’s Architects Department and the Libraries Department in ensuring this ambitious project was completed to the highest standard”.    

Fionnuala May, County Architect said: “Fingal County Council are delighted to have completed the contract for the conservation and repair of Skerries Library. The contract included the addition of a large modern extension to the rear of the existing building. The character of the existing Carnegie building stimulated the high quality of the modern extension and each stand proud in their own idiom while achieving connections on each floor between the two. The project also included upgrade of the public realm onto Church Street in collaboration with the adjoining St Patricks Church creating a substantial high-quality section of streetscape for the town. I am very proud that this project has been delivered by our in house team, led by Pat Boyle, Senior Architect and executed by Annette Sweeney, Senior Executive Project Architect”

Betty Boardman, County Librarian, Fingal County Council said: “The re-opening of Skerries Library following a significant transformation project marks a new chapter in the history of this much-loved Carnegie Library. The Council's architects have preserved the character and atmosphere of the building, while opening up new possibilities, improving accessibility and providing flexible spaces for the community. Library staff will bring these spaces to life and ensure that the library continues to be a place of welcome, imagination and inspiration for a new generation of readers and library members.”