Purcell Construction appointed for new €173m Dublin City Library

Dublin City Council has appointed Purcell Construction Limited to build a new five-storey City Library at Parnell Square North, with work starting shortly.

The €173.2 million development will span 6,100 square metres and is expected to take just over three years to construct. The library represents the first phase of the planned Parnell Square Cultural Quarter. Once completed, the new five-storey building will replace the existing Central Library currently located at the Ilac Centre.

The project incorporates both new construction and heritage preservation. Dublin City Council confirmed that this initial phase will include the conservation and renewal of the historic Georgian terrace at Nos 23–28 Parnell Square North, with a full refurbishment planned for No 26.

The completed library will house spaces for reading, studying, working, creating, and performing. Specific facilities planned for the 6,100 square metre space include a children's and young adults' library, a makerspace, meeting rooms, study areas, a multi-purpose conference centre, exhibition spaces, and a café.