Newbridge library receives funding for new build
Kildare County Council has received funding approval from the Department of Rural and Community Development for the new Newbridge Library. It is hoped that a contractor will be on site for construction from August onwards.
Speaking to the Kildare Nationalist last week, cllr Chris Pender said that he had gotten the news two days previously that the council’s funding application had been received Section 4 approval from the Department. He added that “all things going well, we should see a contractor on site for the building from August”.
The local authority had previously stated at the monthly Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting on 17 June that they were awaiting the funding approval, and that that they expected construction on the new library to commence before the end of September.
This emerged when cllr Pender asked the council to “provide an update on the new Newbridge Library Project, including when works are expected to commence, the current project stage and whether there have been any barriers or delays preventing works from beginning”.
Senior executive engineer in strategic projects and public realm Aidan Martin issued the council’s response, stating the following: “It is anticipated that works will commence on site in mid to late Q3 2026, with an estimated construction programme of approximately 24 months”.
Mr Martin’s response detailed that the local authority was awaiting approval from the Department in relation to its application for funding, and that the council could only appoint a contractor once funding is approved.
The response added that the appointed contractor would need a period of time after being appointed to get set up before works begin.
Cllr Pender accepted the report. He later said in a written post that he will continue to push for the project to progress “without avoidable delay”.
The council’s 2026-2028 capital programme assigned €18.1 million to the Newbridge Library and Archives project.
Liffey Lodge is currently being used as the library’s temporary location.
