A €3 million investment will restore the protected Art Deco former County Library in Newbridge and expand it from roughly 550m² to 2,340m², creating a modern civic hub for culture, learning and community services.

Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, broke ground on Thursday, 30 July 2026, on the Newbridge Library, Kildare County Archives, Local Studies & Cultural Centre project.

The scheme, regarded as one of the most significant library, cultural and community infrastructure investments in County Kildare, will conserve and restore the landmark protected structure while delivering a four-fold increase in public space for enhanced library, cultural, archival and educational services.

Funding of €3 million has been allocated through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht's Libraries Capital Programme 2023–2027.

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Speaking at the sod turning today, Minister Buttimer said: "This project will deliver a modern public library, a permanent home for County Archives and Local Studies, and major community facilities inside a landmark building in the heart of Newbridge. It stands as one of the largest library and cultural infrastructure investments currently underway in Ireland."

Minister Heydon added: "Newbridge is one of the fastest growing towns in County Kildare with a population of approximately 25,000. Enhancing our community facilities is a top priority across South Kildare.

"This project will create a vibrant Cultural Quarter and strengthen Newbridge as a centre for culture, learning, and community life. I would like to commend the Library Service and Local Authority in Kildare for their commitment and dedication to providing state-of-the-art library services across the county."

Minister Buttimer concluded: "This project serves as an example of national and local government working together to bring lasting social, cultural and economic benefits to the community. I wish the team the very best as they build this vital new space for the community."

The national public library strategy, 'The Library is the Place', launched in July 2023, outlines a five-year plan (2023–2027) for investment in infrastructure, technology, programmes and services. Separately, €3 million in small-scale capital funding announced on 26 June 2026 will support sensory equipment and accessibility upgrades, ICT and broadband speed enhancements, and upgraded furniture and equipment across public libraries.