05/07/2010 -

Contract Signed for Ballymote Library

The contract for the development of a new state of the art library in Ballymote was signed on Tuesday last in The Coach House Hotel, Ballymote by the Cathaoirleach, Councillor Joe Leonard, County Manager Hubert Kearns and Ger Roynan of JJ Rattigan Company, the main contractor on the project.  The new library reflects an investment of €980,000 and is due for completion in late 2010.

Back Row, Left to Right - Gavin Moran JJ Rattigan Company, Ultan McNasser, Donal Tinney County Librarian, John Moran Sligo County Council, Ann Conlon Sligo County Council, Councillor Michael Fleming, Noel Meehan Sligo County Council, Pat Noone Sligo County Council & Paul Stephenson Ballymote.

Front Row, Left to Right - Councillor Margaret Gormley, Councillor Pat McGrath, Ger Roynan JJ Rattigan Company, Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Leonard, Hubert Kearns County Manager and Marie Perry.

Sligo County Council currently provides a part time branch library service in Ballymote, which has over 600 members.  The current branch in terms of accessibility and size is inadequate to deliver a modern community based library service.

Library Development Plan

Sligo County Council’s Library Development Plan 2006 -2010 included proposals to improve the level of service in Ballymote and with this in mind Sligo County Council in partnership with the Department of the Environment and the Library Council sought a suitable site in Ballymote.

A premises on Teeling Street was seen as being the most suitable site given its location in the heart of the town and at a major junction with Lord Edward Street.  The two main supermarkets are located within 50 metres of the proposed Library and the primary and secondary schools are only 300 metres away.

Community Activities

The purpose of this development is to provide the people of Ballymote and the surrounding areas with a modern library service, one which encompasses the full range of library services, such as, facilities to borrow books, books on CDs, educational DVDs and language courses.  All within a building which will act as a venue for exhibitions, cultural performances and recitals along with facilities for community activities such as clubs and meetings.

Excellent Service

The Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Leonard said ‘We have an excellent library service in Sligo, and great credit is due to County Librarian Donal Tinney and his staff in the various branch libraries for delivering a quality service to its customers.  The people of Ballymote value their local library, and the delivery of this new facility will be greatly welcomed by the local community’

Investment in Ballymote

Sligo County Manager Hubert Kearns welcomed the new library saying that it was an important investment into the services and development of Ballymote and the surrounding areas.  He thanked the staff and elected members for their hard work on what was a complex project and he also thanked the local community for their patience in the delivery of this project.

Local Councillor Pat McGrath stated that he was delighted to see the commencement of the library and also paid tribute to the staff of Sligo County Council and his fellow councillors for their perseverance on this project.  County Librarian Donal Tinney also voiced his delight at the commencement of the library and how he and his staff are looking forward to working with the local community in fulfilling the potential of the new library.