What should be done with St Kinneth’s?

LIBRARY Locals left wondering what newly refurbished former church will be used for and if they will get their long-promised library.

Meath Co Council is still considering its options for the future use of the former St Kinneth's Church in Ballivor following completion of a major refurbishment project.

The building, which dates back to 1821 lay empty for almost two decades and had become an eyesore in the village until its refurbishment.

There were longstanding plans for the building to be used as a library but Meath County Council has not yet outlined whether this is still the intention, though a spokesperson did confirm that a library is one of the proposed uses being considered.

Locals are delighted that the building has been refurbished to such a high standard and that it is now a fitting focal point in the village but are starting to ask questions about what it will be used for and whether they will finally get their long campaigned for library.

The refurbishment project included the construction of a new accessible toilet, office and tea station within the church, and the installation of a new insulated floor slab as well as restoration works to the stained glass windows, roofs, ceilings, stairs and woodwork.

Minister Heather Humphreys visited St Kinneth's to officially open the building on 24th May, the same day she also opened Trim Cultural Library and Library and the community hub building in Enfield.

When asked what the building would be used for and if it would be a library, a spokesperson for Meath County Council said: "We’re still exploring the possible uses of the building and a library is one being considered. It is also hoped that there can be broader use of the centre by the various groups in the Ballivor area."

Regarding public consultation on possible uses, the spokesperson said: "There has been extensive engagement with the local community on the possible uses of St Kinneth’s and they have expressed the view that they would like to see a library in the building.

"Meath County Council is currently examining how to maximise the use of St Kinneth’s. Further discussions will be held in this regard and Meath County Council is seeking to make the necessary financial provision to make full use of this community asset and build on the significant investment in the refurbishment works from both Meath County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is essential that the Council and the community make full use of this community asset."

A community library was established in Ballivor in 2014 by a group of volunteers who were fed up waiting for the long-mooted library to materialise. Volunteers ran the community library in rooms at the local community centre but later had to vacate those rooms due to works at the community centre.

Cllr Noel French who is a member of the library committee said: "The voluntary library committee attended the official opening and are delighted that the church has been restored to such a high standard and that it will be used by the community, hopefully as a library. They are 11 years fighting to have this building restored."

Until it was restored, Cllr French said the St Kinneth's site brought the whole village down. "It was a derelict building with boarded up windows and an overgrown graveyard. It pulled the whole village down.

"Ten years ago, there were about 10 derelict buildings in the village but gradually this has been got town to very few and it has transformed the village. The derelict units on the Mullingar Road are also being back into use and the Coachman's is being done up. A number of derelict sites are also for sale and the cottage that the tidy down did work on has been purchased and is being done up as a house. There have been huge improvements compared to ten years ago."

St Kinneth's Church was built in 1821 and sold to Ballivor Historical Society in 1997. The building was purchased by Meath County Council in 2004 with a view to turning it into a library.

Ambitious plans to incorporate a library and extension with meeting rooms were developed in 2008 but there were delays over unmarked graves and the recession hit before the plans came to fruition and the project was shelved at the time.