It was an evening of memories and reminiscence as library users, staff and former staff of Clare County Libraries gathered to recall stories of the “De Valera Library” at its 49-year-old building in Ennis.
The building will be vacated, and services moved to the new state-of-the-art County Library on Causeway Link, Ennis when it opens its doors to the public later this year.
Wednesday evening’s event however was about paying tribute to the building and service that served the people of Ennis since 1975. Retired County Librarian Noel Crowley, who oversaw the construction of the architect-designed building in the mid-1970s, recalled how the building and services were considered innovative at the time and continued to meet the needs of the public for generations.
Senior Executive Librarian, Dolores Meaney, outlined a detailed history of the building for attendees while Caroline Collins, Senior Library Assistant, shared the excitement of the local teenagers about the new facility when it first opened. “It brought culture into their lives, not only with the offering of books provided but by putting on exhibitions and talks,” she said.
Clare County Librarian, Helen Walsh, who has taken up the mantel for the development for the next era of library services in Clare, shared her memories of working in the “De Valera Library” in the 1990s, before members of the audience shared their memories of former events and colleagues.
