Kilkee Sweeney Library & Theatre
The Sweeney Memorial Library was built during the 1950s and was designed as a multi-purpose public building for uses including; theatre, library, lecture room, dance hall. It was built as a gift from the Sweeney family ( of the USA, who had ancestral roots in Kilkee) to the people of Kilkee. The Library is owned in Trust by Charity Commissioners, and run by Clare County Council.
The current use of the building is mainly as a branch library. Other groups would also use it, e.g. Kilkee Town Councillors (for regular Public Meetings), The Civic Trust (for occasional meeting, lectures etc), and Drama Groups (for occasional productions).
Kilkee Sweeney Library & Theatre
The Sweeney Memorial Library was built during the 1950s and was designed as a multi-purpose public building for uses including; theatre, library, lecture room, dance hall. It was built as a gift from the Sweeney family ( of the USA, who had ancestral roots in Kilkee) to the people of Kilkee. The Library is owned in Trust by Charity Commissioners, and run by Clare County Council.
The current use of the building is mainly as a branch library. Other groups would also use it, e.g. Kilkee Town Councillors (for regular Public Meetings), The Civic Trust (for occasional meeting, lectures etc), and Drama Groups (for occasional productions).
Brief
To separate the functions of the Library and the Theatre so they may function independently while sharing core facilities.
- Improve the existing poor thermal performance to achieve at minimum current building standards.
- Assess and address the building fabric in relation to water ingress and thermal performance.
- Assess energy use and design heating system to address activities of the two main functions and zones.
- Upgrade the wiring and lighting to current building standards, with special consideration to proposed functions of Library & Theatre.
Brief
To separate the functions of the Library and the Theatre so they may function independently while sharing core facilities.
- Improve the existing poor thermal performance to achieve at minimum current building standards.
- Assess and address the building fabric in relation to water ingress and thermal performance.
- Assess energy use and design heating system to address activities of the two main functions and zones.
- Upgrade the wiring and lighting to current building standards, with special consideration to proposed functions of Library & Theatre.
New Build
Extension to east elevation incorporating new toilet facilities, new stairs, a lift, refreshment areas, with exhibition / multifunctional space to ground floor and corridor linking theatre to lift/ on the first floor.
Refurb
- Permanent wall to separate the theatre space from the library at ground floor.
- Theatre and Library to share the entrance, foyer, toilets, and lift.
- The ground floor theatre space can seat approx 55. Retractable or stacking system to be explored further.
- The librarian’s desk and counter has been relocated to connect to staff room and allow for good visibility to the library hall and the entrance foyer.
- A new first floor to be added to existing Library Hall. It is anticipated the level of the new floor is to be higher than the existing first floor level at the reading room.
The new Dun Laoghaire Development Plan had identified possible routes for increased public access through to the sea from the town. One of these desired routes passes through the subject site. This desire has been whole-heartedly incorporated in the proposal.
- The development has been designed around the provision of a new public walkway and square that link the Georges Street area to the Dart station and the seafront.
- The development proposes a formalised public route through the site that will make clearly legible this new urban connection.
- This new public route enhances the range of spatial sequences between the town and the sea and will provide an additional cosmopolitan element for Dun Laoghaire.
- This new public route will establish a strong visual connection between Georges Street and the Crofton Road; it will be possible to see the harbour from Georges Street along the new walkway and through the new square.
Brief
To separate the functions of the Library and the Theatre so they may function independently while sharing core facilities.
- Improve the existing poor thermal performance to achieve at minimum current building standards.
- Assess and address the building fabric in relation to water ingress and thermal performance.
- Assess energy use and design heating system to address activities of the two main functions and zones.
- Upgrade the wiring and lighting to current building standards, with special consideration to proposed functions of Library & Theatre.
The new Dun Laoghaire Development Plan had identified possible routes for increased public access through to the sea from the town. One of these desired routes passes through the subject site. This desire has been whole-heartedly incorporated in the proposal.
- The development has been designed around the provision of a new public walkway and square that link the Georges Street area to the Dart station and the seafront.
- The development proposes a formalised public route through the site that will make clearly legible this new urban connection.
- This new public route enhances the range of spatial sequences between the town and the sea and will provide an additional cosmopolitan element for Dun Laoghaire.
- This new public route will establish a strong visual connection between Georges Street and the Crofton Road; it will be possible to see the harbour from Georges Street along the new walkway and through the new square.