Kildare County Council’s Kildare Library Service was presented with the Naas Local History Heritage Cup for 2025 at a special event, in recognition of the major redevelopment of Naas Library and Cultural Centre.
Each year, Naas Local History Group presents the Heritage Cup to a business or organization for their contribution to the ongoing development of the heritage of Naas.
Kildare County Council undertook a a 3-year conservation, renovation, and construction programme of this modern cutting-edge library, part funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund as part of Project Ireland 2024 and Kildare County Council.
Since opening in early 2024, Naas Library & Cultural Centre has been a hub for the local community and has welcomed almost 400,000 visitors, issued 330,000 loans, hosted 2,600 events with almost 45,000 attendees as well as having registered 13,000 active members. The art gallery on-site has hosted 33 exhibitions to date and the Library has hosted talks, music, Irish language and literary events, including Kildare Readers Festival Events, Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch, Brigid – Spirit of Kildare Festival events as well as a Teen Music Festival.
Accepting the Heritage Cup on behalf of Kildare County Council’s Library Service, Gillian Allen, Executive Librarian said; “It is a great privilege to accept the Naas Local History Heritage Cup on behalf of Kildare Library Service and Kildare County Council, in recognition of the transformation of Naas Town Hall into the Naas Library & Cultural Centre.
This award is a celebration of heritage, community, and vision. It honours not only the conservation of a historic building, but the creation of a vibrant, inclusive space that now serves as a cultural heartbeat for Naas.”
The transformed Naas Library & Cultural Centre now comprises 1,194.77 sqm of indoor space and 1,055 sqm of outdoor public space, offering study and workspaces, as well as meeting rooms. There is also a gallery space for art and cultural exhibitions.
The outdoor space includes a market space, an outdoor workshop area, an amphitheatre, and a public garden, which provides an oasis for people to connect and engage. The Sensory space within the library includes a Cubbie Sensory booth and an interactive Tovertaefel light projector.
KCC Communications Team 6th November 2025