Council needs to ‘start moving’ and ‘identify sites’ for Donegal Town library

Donegal Municipal District needs “to get moving on” with finding a suitable site for Donegal Town Library, after a motion was filed at the latest Municipal District meeting looking to move forward with the project. 

At December’s Donegal Municipal District meeting, Cllr Jimmy Brogan filed a motion “to ask Donegal County Council to report back to this Municipal District within three months to identify a suitable site or building for a new library in Donegal Town, in light of the funding now available through the Capital Programme in Donegal County Council, Budget 2025.”

Cllr Brogan said: “The library is something that has been going on for years, and now there is money set aside. We need to get moving on it right away. 

“There was money promised in 2018. There was also a promise from the Credit Union at the time, but nothing ever happened. 

“It is money we have to borrow, but it is in the budget. We need to find a suitable site or building. It needs to be a fairly central site. There are a few sites that are publicly owned already, which are probably the best sites. 

“I just want the council to start moving on it and identify sites for the library.”

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Supporting the motion, Cllr Michael Boyle commented: “I think it is important that we do start looking at it, and Donegal Town is an important location for places as far as Killybegs. There is no library there, and people will use it.”

An official Council Executive response to Cllr Brogan’s motion stated: “The Council is keen to develop the library service in Donegal Town and is aware that it is a vital resource for growing community needs, promoting literacy, lifelong learning, digital inclusion and community engagement.

“A number of sites and existing buildings were previously identified as options. 

“Indicative funding streams from a number of stakeholders had been identified at that time, but it was not possible to bring a development to fruition.

“It is intended to publicly seek fresh expressions of interest in 2026 within Donegal Town from interested parties, i.e. developers, landowners or existing property owners in the town, with a view to identifying options to develop a library within the town.

“The objective is to provide a new library in a location within the town that is suitable and appropriate, and aligned with the national Public Library Standards and Benchmarks for service delivery.

“If a suitable location can be identified, the Council will then further explore funding options with the Department and other interested stakeholders.

“In advance of seeking the expressions of interest, it is the intention of library management to arrange a workshop with the elected members to discuss this matter early in 2026.”