Thomastown library - work to begin by Easter

Contractors could be on-site to start work on Thomastown’s new library before Easter.

Following the approval of a significantly increased budget by the Department of Rural and Community and Development paperwork has already started to get the project underway.

Last year an application had to be made to the department for the extra funding following an increase in construction costs. There were several tense months waiting for the approval.

Speaking at the January meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District, Cllr Deirdre Cullen said the decision was “massively positive.”

Kilkenny County Council have been approved for an additional €1,450,823.70 for the project, bringing the total funding now approved for the library to €4,013,144.70.

“This is massively positive. The one thing we did not want to see was this project sidelined, or postponed,” the district chairperson said.

Meeting Administrator, Anne Marie Shortall, said the paperwork commenced immediately once Kilkenny County Council was informed of the funding approval. It could be March before contractors are on-site, she added.