Rathkeale gained a library and dedicated arts centre this Monday as part of a €3 million state of the art local area office for Limerick County Council.

Cllr John Griffin cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Limerick County Council, Rathkeale Area Office, Library and Arts Centre in the presence of County Manager, Ned Gleeson and Cllr Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council. Picture: Dave Gaynor

The new area office—named Àras Seán Finn—forms part of the council's ongoing efforts to provide services that are immediately accessible to members of the public throughout Limerick.

The development replaces the original area office on the New Line Road, which was badly damaged by fire in August 2003, and will provide a range of engineering and administrative services to the Rathkeale Electoral Area.

Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, said that "the range and extent of facilities provided in this modern and spacious building enable the council to provide a more comprehensive service than ever before".

"I have no doubt that these excellent facilities will be much used and appreciated by the people of Rathkeale and the west Limerick Area."

The cathaoirleach complimented Elliott, Maguire, Landers Architects and Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd for delivering the project.

Local Councillor John Griffin, who is scheduled to resign from the council at the end of February, officially opened the new headquarters today.

"As an elected representative of the Rathkeale Electoral Area for almost 30 years, I have been aware of the community's desire for an expansive range of council services to be provided at a local level," he said.

"I am delighted that such services have now been put in place especially as I prepare to retire from County Hall in March. The naming of this building after Rathkeale's Seán Finn bears added personal significance as my father, also named John, was a member of Brigadier Comdt Finn's West Limerick Brigade during the War of Independence," he added.

Commenting on the provision of arts facilities and a full-time library service, County Librarian Damien Brady said that "the county's 26th Branch Library allows the Council to provide a more comprehensive service than ever before".

"The innovative new Arts Centre, meanwhile, will facilitate and encourage the region's many and varied artists, as well as arts groups and organisations," he added.

The new library will include thousands of books for all age groups, CDs and DVDs, daily newspapers, periodicals, magazines, foreign language fiction, audio books and large print books along with the first set of digital books in the branch.

It will provide free public internet access, a request service at www.borrowbooks.ie, ample study space and extended opening hours to accommodate students.

The main function of the Rathkeale Area Headquarters is to administer work programmes such as road maintenance and improvement, housing and housing grants, water services, customer services, and planning reporting and enforcement.

The office also hosts committee meetings of councillors in the Rathkeale electoral area.

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