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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Mark McDonagh, Úna Kearns, Mark Roach and Westport librarian, Keith Martin, pictured outside Carrowbeg Enterprises at the official opening of Westport's free community library
A free community library that will be accessible to the whole community has been opened in Westport.
Located outside of Carrowbeg Enterprises on Westport’s Distillery Road, members of the public are free to take out and deposit books as they please from this unique facility.
The idea was driven by some of Western Care’s 29 service users based at Carrowbeg Enterprises in Westport.
The new library intends to promote reading in the community, recycling, helping the environment, sharing and kindness.
“We had seen a picture of where it was done somewhere else, and said ‘That’s a great idea’,” Louise Munster, social care assistant at Carrowbeg Enterprises told The Mayo News.
After receiving a donated fridge, Úna Kearns, Mark Roache, Mark McDonagh and Austin Moran got to work painting it in a variety of splendid colours.
The library – which users are asked to lock after they use it – is available 24/7 all year round and was already in use before its official launch on Friday afternoon.
Speaking at the launch, Western Care service user Úna Kearns said the library would allow people to be kind to one another.
It is hoped that books written in foreign languages, such as Ukrainian, will be available to the public.
Jackie O’Grady Dever, manager of Carrowbeg Enterprises praised the work of Louise Munster and all the service users who helped with setting up the library.
“It’s what we’re meant to be about,”, told The Mayo News.
“It’s very person-centred and if you want to be part of the community and if you want to be valued as people who have an impact on the community.
“People are coming and using the library and it’s so lovely to see,” she added.
Keith Martin, Westport’s local librarian, congratulated all involved with the project before officially cutting the ribbon to open the new library.
“It’s a fantastic resource, even with our local libraries, to promote reading in the community. I congratulate and commend all involved,” he said.
Watch the video of the opening on The Mayo News on instagram:
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