Laois library shortlisted for prestigious Public Building of the Year award

Portlaoise Library has been shortlisted for Public Building of the Year at the 2026 Building and Architect of the Year Awards.

Organised by BusinessRiver, the event celebrates Irish architecture and fosters collaboration and innovation within the design, construction, and development sectors.

The library is shortlisted alongside Belfast Grand Central Station, Killaloe Garda Station, Shankill Shared Women’s Centre and Meakstown Community Centre.

Bernie Foran, County Librarian at Laois County Council welcomed the news. She said: “We are extremely proud that Portlaoise Library has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. The redeveloped library has transformed Portlaoise main street. It provides a wonderful facility in the heart of the town’s Cultural Quarter. The 1600 square meter library provides community activity space, study space, reading room and exhibition and activities area. Its design has given the people of Laois a welcoming and state-of-the-art community space”.

Portlaoise Library, designed by MCOH Architects, is a carefully resolved public building. Reinstating a prominent town-centre corner, the design responds sympathetically to its historic context while establishing a strong contemporary identity and lasting civic value.

Conor Finnegan, Director of MCOH Architects said: “We are delighted to be nominated for this prestigious Award. The design and construction of the Library proved to be a difficult process, but with the skill and dedication of the Design and Construction Teams along with the unflinching support of Laois County Council these challenges were overcome, resulting in a fine Civic Building which greatly enhances the Main Street and Lower Square in Portlaoise. Although the competition for the Award is very strong, we are hopeful of scooping the Award, following on from the Opus Building of the Year Award received by MCOH Architects for Birr Library and Civic Offices” 

The Building and Architect of the Year Awards take place on April 23rd 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin.