Public Choice Award
Shortlisted Project:
Library, Abbeyleix
Project: Library, Abbeyleix
Architect: de Blacam & Meagher
Historically there are four phases of development of the Market House, the original retangular plan with a small central capola on the ridge, the 1890’s re-construction in a rural Italian style with new tower on the East elevation and the addition of mullion and transom windows, the Fire Station Free State Art Deco transformation to use as a fire station with library on the first floor and the present Laois County Council commision to a branch library. It was the Architect’s ambition to re-pave the square (really it is a crescent), and this was achieved by re-planning the car parking and planting Italian Cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens Sastiata) to compliment the 1890’s building. During the course of the 2008 works the suspended timber vault was uncovered and exposed to view, the barn form which compliments what was manifest externally.
