Lease to be agreed to house part of Bolton Library collection in Friar Street, Cashel

A legal arrangement between Tipperary Co. Council and the Office of Public Works (OPW) is all that needs to be formalised before a wonderful display of Cashel’s heritage can be put on public display, heard this month’s meeting of Cashel/Tipperary Municipal District.

Cllr Tom Wood requested that the members be updated on any progress regarding the Bolton Library Exhibition Centre, and to be advised “if it might be operational this summer.”

Management responded: “Tipperary Co. Council and the OPW are hoping to conclude discussions on the details of a lease agreement on the use of the former Motor Tax Office in Cashel as an exhibition Centre for items from the Bolton Library.

“While the OPW are not yet in a position to confirm that the Centre will be upgraded and opened by this summer, we are in regular contact with a view to having it operational as soon as possible.”

The valuable contents of the Church of Ireland GPA Bolton Library were transferred from their home in Cashel to the University of Limerick in February, 2016. It has been hoped that some of the scripts could be put up on public display in Friar Street. “But the more it drags on, the more I’m afraid it will never come to fruition,” said Cllr Wood. The Church of Ireland authorities, the Co. Council, and the OPW are all behind the move, with the OPW setting aside some €90,000 for the development. But “they are waiting for that lease.” The physical infrastructure to house the display cannot go ahead until the lease is finalised.

Full story in next week's Tipperary Star.