‘It’s like a hallway’ – young families describe ‘disappointment’ at new Donabate library
Families with young children in North Dublin have described their new library as a “downgrade”, saying the facility is “too small” and not suitable for children or study use.
Earlier this year, Fingal County Council opened a new library in Donabate after converting Ballisk House, a former two-storey credit union building that had closed in May 2021.
The building stood vacant for more than four years before the local authority purchased it in 2022 and carried out a €2m refurbishment, which began in January 2025.
Until last year, Donabate’s library was based in the local community centre. However, since the new library opened six months ago, some parents have expressed disappointment with the reduced space and facilities.
“We are extremely disappointed with the major downgrade of the library and shocked at how small and tight the space is,” said local mother Ciara Bannon.
“It’s constantly overflowing and cramped and now totally unsuitable to bring children to or spend any time browsing shelves.”
The Donabate native said that although an extension is planned, she believes it will “still be insufficient” given Donabate’s growing population.
“In the community centre, there was a bit of open space for the kids to kind of go around. By far, it was not the best library ever, but it was grand. In the new one, it’s like a hallway,” she added.
Another resident, Preye Yorkori, said she had been excited by the prospect of a new library after moving to Donabate last year, but her expectations were quickly “dampened”.
“It was quite smaller and less adequate than I had anticipated,” she said.
“Where the old library had a large space dedicated to the children’s area, the new one has barely any baby or toddler-friendly facilities.”
“As a mum of a one-year-old who is eager to explore her environment, the new space is highly inadequate. I had really enjoyed going to the old library with my daughter when we moved to Donabate last year and we don’t go as much anymore.”
A local petition launched two months after the opening of the new library stated: “The building itself is beautiful. But, unfortunately, the new library is 169 square metres — over 200 square metres smaller than the previous space.”
“Now there is a lack of comfortable space for children to relax and read - the toys and art supplies have been removed,” it added.
The campaign has gathered more than 250 signatures.
At the time of its opening, Fingal County Council said the project marked phase one of a two-phase plan for the site.
Phase two is expected to include an extension and further “enhancement” of facilities.
At a recent area committee meeting, councillors called for the local authority to prioritise the second phase, citing reduced library space compared to the former facility and a projected population increase to 20,000 in the area.
“So the library opened earlier this year, and I’ve been inundated with emails and complaints,”Labour Party councillor Corina Johnston said.
She said many residents had expected the extension to follow immediately and had been led to believe the new facility would be significantly larger than the previous library in the community centre.
“Unfortunately, misinformation was put out in the public domain last year by community groups,” she said.
“The community was under the impression that that extension was going to happen straight away… Sadly, this wasn’t the case.”
“The space is a bit smaller, and residents in Donabate, many of them with small children who frequent the library, are very upset, very hurt, and very concerned. Many families now have to go as far as Balbriggan. They believe the library space has been downgraded.”
She also referenced to the Department of Rural and Community Development guidelines, which recommend that a library serving a population of 10,000 to 20,000 people should be between 801 and 1,500 square metres.
According to the 2022 Census, Donabate’s population stands at almost 12,000.
“What’s proposed needs to be far greater,” Cllr Johnston added.
Fine Gael councillor Eoghan Dockrell said the area’s rapid population growth made the expansion urgent.
“Many of those children want to study and use a library, so it really is imperative that this phase two is expedited,” he said.
Responding to councillors, Fingal County Council acting county librarian Lilian Whelan said the planned introduction of a My Open Library service would help ease pressure on space.
The system allows registered users to access library facilities outside staffed hours, typically from 8am to 10pm daily.
She said the planned extension would add approximately 500 square metres of space.
“We have €3m set aside in the capital programme budget for Donabate Library over the next couple of years,” she said.
“All procurements have now been issued and we are moving ahead with the project. We are very aware of the growing population in Donabate, but it will take some time to complete. Over the next two to three years, we will see a lot of work done.”