NEWBRIDGE, 20 September: by Grace Halford. The new County Arts Centre in Newbridge formally opened its doors to the public on Tuesday with Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy performing the official opening.
Riverbank incorporates the library headquarters, Newbridge public library as well as the new County Arts Centre. Among its range of services and projects in the heritage area is a public genealogical service, an extensive local history collection and a growing archive. The new £3 million building was designed by Kildare County Council‘s Architectural Service and the construction was carried out by Murphy Builders Newbridge Ltd.
The new arts centre and library headquarters building was built to mark the turning of the millennium, and as County Manager Niall Bradley told KNN "the campus was for the people of County Kildare and the Riverbank represents Kildare County Councils commitment to libraries and the arts. He also stated it was an expression of a successful partnership between the community and the local authority.
The new centre includes a 200-seat theatre, which recently showcased Together Productions adaptation of "Joseph and the Technicoloured Dream" coat which was a huge success. Some of the country’s leading performers are expected to perform in the new theatre among the line up of performers are The Irish Chamber Orchestra, Johnny McEvoy in concert, and Niall Toibin. The centre also houses two art galleries, workshop rooms, a meeting room and a drop in café, which is open to the public.
Speaking at the opening, County Council Cathaoirleach John O’ Neill (pictured presenting a piece of bog oak to finance minister Charlie McCreevy) echoed the same sentiments of the County Manger, Mr Bradley, and said "Riverbank" was above all else a place for the people of County Kildare and hoped that they would use it as their place and that they would shape its future and contribute to its development with their ideas, talents and their vision."
To mark the occasion, a book by local author Ann Egan (above with the minister and Isobel Egan) entitled "Brigit of Kildare" was commissioned by the County Council. The book explores the extensive history associated with St Brigit and Kildare.
Included in the lineup of entertainment to celebrate the occasion was a remarkable performance by the recently-formed Local Authority Choir, giving the public a chance to see members of the County Council in a totally different capacity. Among the members of the choir were Newbridge Town Clerk Charlie Talbot and County Secretary Seamus Stokes (below).
County Council Chairman, John O’ Neill thanked all the sponsors for their generosity and support including the Department of the Environment, Kildare County Council, the Dept of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht , the EU and the local corporate and individual sponsors who had made this venture possible. He wished success to all who would work at Riverbank and hoped that visitors to the campus would be enriched by the experience.
©2001gracehalford/knn