De Valera’s library stay comes to an end

THOUGH the County Library is set to begin a new chapter this year with the long awaited move to new state-of-the-art facilities on Causeway Link in Ennis, one very familiar face for library-goers won’t be making the journey.
A bust of Eamon de Valera which for years had taken pride of place in the Ennis library that bore his name will not be housed in the new building.
The bust had been in place at the De Valera Library on Harmony Row since 2000 having been initially loaned to the Clare Museum by the Office of Public Works.
Clare County Council has confirmed to The Clare Champion that the artwork is now in the possession of the OPW.
Responding to a query about the location of the bust, a spokesperson for Clare County Council said, “The de Valera bust is the property of the Office of Public Works. It was given on loan to the old museum which was adjacent to the de Valera library on Harmony Row. It was then moved to the library building when the current Clare Museum opened in 2000. With the move to the new library on the Causeway Link, the OPW is taking back possession of the bust.
“The future location of same is a matter for the OPW.”
The move of the library from Harmony Row comes 49 years after the DeValera Library first opened in Ennis.
The new building close to glór comprises a public library over two floors which includes the local studies centre, a 100sqm art gallery and the County Library headquarters on the top floor.
The building was designed by Keith Willams Architects based in London and construction re-commenced with Coolsivna Construction in April 2022.