Irish Architecture Awards, 2009

by abevan on 17 June, 2009

Abbeyleix Library has been included in the nominations for the Irish Architecture Awards, 2009.
2009 is the 21st anniversary of the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards and this year there were well over 200 entries. A jury was selected and the entries were judged in early May of which 35 were shortlisted to go forward for the “Public Choice Award”. The purpose of this is to raise public awareness of the high quality and standard of architecture being produced in Ireland today.
This is your chance to vote, the projects can be viewed and voted on here.
The winner will be announced on June 22 2009.
The library is situated in the renovated Market House which was built in 1836 by Viscount John de Vesci.
In 2001, Laois County Council decided to refurbish the Market House as a public library and art gallery and appointed the architectural practice of De Blacam and Meagher to oversee the restoration.
The three stories are serviced by the eye-catching spiral staircase, as well as a lift. The refurbished library boasts 13 new computers as well as a newly expanded book stock of some 25,000 items.
For more information on Abbeyleix Library see the entry on www.librarybuildings.ie