A three year lease to allow the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) move back into Dillon House in Ballaghaderreen was approved by councillors at their recent plenary meeting.
Councillors approved the lease at the historic building for €13,000 per annum plus service charges for a period of three years.
Council director of finance Sean Mullarkey said the portion of the Dillon House building to be used by the WDC and the NWRA would involve part of the property’s ground floor and all of the second and third floors.
Proposing the move, Ballaghaderreen councillor Michéal Frain outlined that Dillon House had been closed for a number of years.
Cllr Frain said the building was now open again with the refurbished library.
“It’s great to see the Western Development Commission and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly are moving back in,” said the Independent councillor.
Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Moylan, who seconded the proposal, said he had been in the upgraded library a number of times, describing it as a fantastic facility and a great investment for the town and community.
Welcoming the news, Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan said a lot of investment had gone into Dillon House and the works involved had to meet high standards considering the nature of the building.
Responding to queries on when there would be an official opening of the new library, director of services Chris Flynn estimated that the ‘My Open Library’ self-service would be operational in the New Year, with an expected January or February official opening date for the library.
