Work on Trim Cultural Centre to start shortly

Work on the new Cultural Centre, which will see a performance space at the site of the existing library and old Methodist Chapel on High Street will start shortly and it is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The library service has moved around the corner to Mill Street for the duration of the work.

"I am delighted. It is wonderful news. It is 20 years now since the Town Hall closed," said Cllr Noel French.

"We have such high quality music and drama societies in Trim that have missed having a venue. As the population increases we will have even greater demand for such facilities, which includes community facilities and exhibition space.

"A lot of people worked long and hard for this. I'd like to play tribute to tAct, the local musical and drama societies and Meath County council."

The news comes as a welcome relief following delays in the work, which had due to start last year, but was halted by the original contractors due to Brexit. The Northern Ireland-based contractor who was to start work on the project last year, pulled out, citing Brexit as the reason.

Earlier this year, a further €640,000 was allocated to the project by the Department of Rural and Community Development to enable a new contract to be sought.

The project had been originally approved for funding of €3,717,670 in November 2019. The new facility will see the development of a theatre space with 220-240 seats on the site.

The library will be housed on the ground floor of the new facility, which will take in the old library and the church with a courtyard and some shared library/ performance spaces.

New library facilities will include a library study space and support area as well as meeting rooms.

There will also be a foyer for the theatre on the ground floor, a box office and toilets. The main auditorium, with stage and retractable seating, will be on the second floor and will include a balcony with sound desk.

The second floor will also house a library tech room and store room.