Parnell Square in Dublin getting a 21st century makeover. Plans have been announced by Dublin City Council to turn the area into a cultural quarter with a new City Library at the heart of the plans.

It will cost €60 million to redevelop the area and should be finished by the end of 2017.

The announcement was made by Lord Mayor Naoise O'Muiri. "We will be drawing on the energy of local stakeholders to achieve this ambition" he said. "The communities, local employers and cultural and public institutions in the district can all play a part in making Dublin’s north Georgian district great again with safer streets, great public spaces and a thriving culture of learning, creativity and business".

"Today I invite all citizens to participate in a public consultation process to ensure that this will be a cultural space for all Dubliners and visitors to Dublin" he added.

New City Library & re-development

The project will see the development of a new city library on the site of Colaiste Mhuire, the re-development of the former Colaiste Mhuire buildings to form the entrance to the new City library and the provision of public rooms for a variety of uses including music, media and design.

It will also form part of the cultural complex and a pedestrian plaza at the north end of Parnell Square will create new public events space in front of the cultural buildings.

Arrangements are also being made to transfer of the former Coláiste Mhuire from the Office of Public Works (OPW) to Dublin City Council.

The public is being asked to participate in the consultation process. A series of public meetings and workshops are being planned.

 Deputy Librarian Brendan Teeling says the new library will have lots more space than its current home in the Ilac Centre.