Naas Library recognised with Heritage Award
Pictured at the presentation of the Naas Local History Heritage Cup for 2025; Paddy Behan of Naas Local History Group and Gillian Allen, Executive Librarian, Kildare Library Service
KILDARE County Council’s Library Service was presented with the Naas Local History Heritage Cup for 2025 in recognition of the major redevelopment of Naas Library and Cultural Centre.
Each year, Naas Local History Group presents the Heritage Cup to a business or organisation for their contribution to the ongoing development of the heritage of Naas.
Kildare County Council undertook a a three-year conservation, renovation, and construction programme of this new modern library, part-funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund as part of Project Ireland 2024 and Kildare County Council.
Since opening in early 2024, Naas Library and Cultural Centre has been a hub for the local community and has welcomed almost 400,000 visitors, issued 330,000 loans, hosted 2,600 events with almost 45,000 attendees as well as having registered 13,000 active members.
The art gallery on-site has hosted 33 exhibitions to date and the library has hosted talks, music, Irish language and literary events, including Kildare Readers Festival Events, Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch, Brigid – Spirit of Kildare Festival events as well as a teen music festival.
"It is a great privilege to accept the Naas Local History Heritage Cup on behalf of Kildare Library Service and Kildare County Council, in recognition of the transformation of Naas Town Hall into the Naas Library and Cultural Centre,” said Gillian Allen, the county’s executive librarian.
“This award is a celebration of heritage, community, and vision. It honours not only the conservation of a historic building, but the creation of a vibrant, inclusive space that now serves as a cultural heartbeat for Naas."
The transformed building now comprises 1,195 sqm of indoor space and 1,055 sqm of outdoor public space, offering study and workspaces, as well as meeting rooms.
There is also a gallery space for art and cultural exhibitions.
The outdoor facility includes a market space, a workshop area, an amphitheatre, and a public garden, which provides an oasis for people to connect and engage.
The sensory space within the library includes a Cubbie Sensory booth and an interactive light projector.
