City Library Project FAQs

Phase 1 of the project will deliver 5,500 square metres of modern, bright open spaces for reading and lending, as well as a variety of spaces for studying, working, meeting, creating and performing. Facilities will include a welcoming library for children and young adults, a makerspace, meeting rooms and study spaces, as well as a multi-purpose conference centre, a café and exhibition areas.

Phase 1 of the project will deliver a new city library for Dublin, including a multi-purpose conference centre, spaces to meet, read and study, a café and exhibition areas.   

The proposed development also includes the initial redevelopment of one of the Georgian houses at Number 27 Parnell Square West, and a new public plaza created in front of the city library buildings and the Hugh Lane Gallery. 

The project is being very carefully managed in terms of cost control, and we will have a clear view of the final project cost at the construction tender stage.

The Project received preliminary approval for Urban Regeneration and Development Fund funding in March 2021. The funding amount was €56,634,459 (excl. VAT) for Phase 1 and €14,187,041 (excl. VAT) for public realm works. The balance of the funding will be provided by DCC. In accordance with the Public Spending Code, DCC is in the process of completing a detailed Business Case to be presented to the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government.

In relation to all borrowings of DCC, a report must first be put to the City Council seeking approval. Once granted, approval is then sought from our parent Government department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

No, the ambition remains the same, although it will now be delivered on a phased basis.

Phase 1 works include the demolition of the existing Amharclann building, the construction of the new city library, and essential works to the Georgian house numbers 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.  No. 27 Parnell Square North will be fully restored and returned to public use.  

Roofing, mechanical, electrical, and some ancillary works to the Hugh Lane Gallery are also included. 

Further phases will bring the remaining Georgian houses, numbers 23, 24, 25, 26 and 28 back into full public use.

Detailed design was completed in early 2025. The process to procure a construction contractor is at an advanced stage with a contractor expected to be in place by the end of 2025/early 2026.

In 2021, at the request of Dublin City Council, the design team led by Grafton and Shaffrey Architects was invited to submit a fee with an associated programme for the detailed design work stages etc. to project completion. DCC representatives met Grafton and Shaffrey Architects in September 2021 to ensure there was clarity around both the fee proposal and the programme submission. A fee and programme was submitted to DCC by the design team in October 2021.

Following a careful analysis of the submitted proposal, the steering board of the PSCQ decided not to accept the design team fee. This was communicated to Grafton and Shaffrey in December 2021.

The reason for the rejection, which was relayed to Grafton and Shaffrey, was that the fee proposed was unacceptable to DCC.

Following a detailed tender process, a new design team was appointed in 2023. The team is lead by Aecom Ireland and is made up as follows: 

•    Cost Consultant/Project Manager       Aecom Ireland
•    Architect                                              Hawkins Brown Architecture
•    Structural and Civil Engineer               Aecom Ireland
•    Building Services                                 Aecom Ireland
•    Acoustic Engineer                               AWN Consulting
•    Fire Safety Engineer                            Jensen Hughes
•    PSDS                                                   Chris Mee 
 

Delivery of the project continues at pace and the completion of Phase 1 is expected by 2029.

Dublin City Council, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are committed to completion of the remaining phases of the project. Details will be confirmed at a later stage.

Once the new City Library at the Parnell Square is ready, the Central Library in the ILAC will close and move to the new premises where it will have greater space, enhanced facilities and more services for the local community and visitors to the city.

Yes, Hugh Lane Gallery will be an integral part of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, housing as it does one of Ireland’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary art.  The designs for the facility include a new connection between the Gallery and the library.  This will enhance and deepen the relationship between the Gallery and Dublin City Libraries. Both organisations currently work closely with each other on a day-to-day basis, collaborating on programming, education and outreach programmes.  It is envisaged that this collaboration will continue to grow. 

The Hugh Lane Gallery will close during the construction of the library to protect the artworks during the process. During this time the gallery staff will engage in a variety of outreach initiatives to widen and strengthen public engagement with the collection in new and innovative ways. 

The buildings were taken into DCC’s ownership from the OPW which had acquired ownership as part of the Religious Orders Redress Scheme.

There was no fee for the transfer, however DCC transferred some sites in Finglas and Inchicore to the OPW as part of the process.

In accordance with the granted planning, it is proposed to remove parking and reduce the traffic lanes to the minimum width required for vehicle movements. This will calm traffic and re-balance the space in favour of pedestrian movements, giving space to allow activities. The redesigned space will re-establish the connection between the buildings of Parnell Square North and the Garden of Remembrance and the wider square. It is intended to utilise high quality materials similar to the O’Connell Street public realm works completed in 2006. 

Yes, Parnell Square will continue to act as an assembly point for large city gatherings such as parades and marches.  Dublin City Council will be open to working with event organisers to facilitate the continued use of Parnell Square as a gathering point.

Under the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in December 2023, a Project Board is recommended for all projects and required for all projects with a value in excess of €5 million. The Infrastructure Guidelines replaces the Public Spending Code 2019 and all previous revisions.  

The Parnell Square Project (PSP) - Project Board is responsible for providing governance and oversight mechanisms for the project, ensuring high confidence in its delivery. This approach aims to provide value for public investment, ensure timely completion and prevent unnecessary administrative delays.   

The board is chaired by the Chief Executive and membership is comprised of the Deputy Chief Executive, CCLAS Department, the Dublin City Librarian, the City Engineer and the Head of Management Accounting, DCC.