Lease finally signed for new Kanturk library

A PERMANENT library service is set to be restored to Kanturk within a matter of weeks after it emerged that Cork County Council has finally secured a new building for the local library.

The authority unexpectedly closed the former library on the Main Street in late June of last year, due to what was described as “structural concerns” in relation to the building.

At the time the Kanturk/Mallow municipal district officer, Liz Donovan, said the Council had been left with no option but to vacate the building, which was being leased by the authority, as its condition posed a danger to the public.

Since then, officials have been working to secure a new building for the library, and it has now been confirmed that a lease has been signed for the facility to be accommodated at the former Riverside Bar and Restaurant on Strand Street.

The development has been warmly welcomed by local public representatives, including Deputy Michael Moynihan, who said he was “delighted this important amenity will once again be made available to the people of Kanturk.”

Local county councillor John Paul O’Shea said staff will now be able to start fitting out the new library, a process he said would take roughly eight weeks to complete.

“I am delighted this process can now be put in chain and look forward to seeing the library open its doors to patrons over the coming weeks,” he said.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the library service and staff for accommodating local people at the nearby libraries in Newmarket, Mallow and Millstreet in recent months and for providing a mobile library to the town.”