Kinsale Library has been shortlisted in the prestigious RIAI Architecture Awards and is vying for the title of Ireland's most beloved building or public space of 2024.

The new library is located in the James ONeill Building (Old Mill) in the heart of the town and is one of 42 projects through to the finals of the Public Choice Awards. The RIAI awards celebrate excellence in the design and delivery of buildings by registered architects.

Kinsale Library was designed internally by the Architects Department of Cork County Council. The endeavour included transforming the three-story Old Mill, once a vacant relic of the 19th century grain industry, into a dynamic public library and exhibition venue.

In December 2023, it was officially opened by Cllr Frank O'Flynn, the Mayor of the County of Cork, and Heather Humphries TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development. The €4.8 million initiative was spearheaded by Cork County Council, with vital backing from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, as well as support from the European Investment Bank via the Social Sustainability Investment Programme.

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Mayor O'Flynn said: "Kinsale Library is a beautiful building inside and out. There were 180 entries for this year’s RIAI awards, and I am delighted to see Kinsale Library through to the finals. The library is now ten times larger than the previous premises and has transformed the service offered to the people of Kinsale and surrounding areas. This project has also brought an historical building back to life, conserving it and redesigning it sensitively to the benefit of the entire community. I hope the people of County Cork will cast their vote for Kinsale Library in these prestigious awards"

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added: "Creating a new public library and exhibition space for Kinsale was a longstanding objective of Cork County Council’s Development Plan. The Old Mill was built sometime between 1840 and 1800, it was badly damaged by fire on two occasions before it was acquired by us. We now have an incredible, state-of-the-art space that is used by people of all ages."

The winners will be announced by RIAI President Sean Mahon at a ceremony held in the National Gallery of Ireland on Friday 21 June.