Library confirmed for St Kinneth's Church in Ballivor

Meath County Council has confirmed that St Kinneth's Church in Ballivor will open as a library in the New Year.

At the Trim Muncipal District Council meeting this afternoon, Director of Services Des Foley confirmed that St Kinneth's would open as a library for approximately 30 hours a week and would also be available for community events.

Staff have not yet been recruited and Mr Foley said they hoped it would open early in the New Year, in approximately February. It will be run by Meath Library Service.

Cathaoirleach Noel French said it was "brilliant news" for Ballivor that had been a long time coming. "It was acquired in 2004 and now twenty years later in 2024, it will finally open, though I know there was an economic crash in the middle."

Cllr Joe Fox also welcomed the news and said it would be a focal point for the whole village. He also paid tribute to Rural and Community Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys for the funding which he said had made it possible.

Confirmation that the building will be used as a library will come as a relief to the Ballivor community who have campaigned for the facility for years.

Although the building was always earmarked for use as a library, the delay in Meath County Council confirming this following the completion of refurbishment works had caused disquiet in the community and fears that their long awaited library may not materialise.

Also at this afternoon's meeting an update was given on the planned opening of a library in Enfield in the recently opened community hub building.

Mr Foley said a children's book festival next week would mark the first event and the phased opening of the library over the coming weeks. Staff have already been recruited for the library.