It was only a few short years ago that Castleislanders feared the most unimaginable, ignominious end for that grand old lady at the top of the town.
The Carnegie Library – as it was for years – was facing a battering like never before from the frequency of storms which seemed to be getting stronger and more vicious with every passing winter.
One of the most recent did actually breach the roof on the south facing hip of the building and that looked like the proverbial beginning of the end.
Down and Nearly Out
However, she had been down and nearly out a couple of times before and always bounced back.
She has hosted dances and hops and days of cinematic treats and staged drama productions and dramatic county badminton finals and legendary and very local court cases.
There was also at least a handful of occasions on which the drama around and within her walls was very real and most deadly.
This was mainly because of her imposing position overlooking everything in her neighbourhood and beyond.
Liability in War Time
This prime location became a liability during the War of Independence in particular when she was turned on by her own people in 1920 and burned to deny occupying forces an obvious advantage.
As far as seeing it all is concerned she shares her history and experiences with her equally iconic bottom of the town counterpart, The Emporium / The Market House and the in between Castleview Hotel / Hartnett’s Bar.
If they could talk.
Out of the Loop
Now, after almost a decade of being left out of the loop, The Old Library has a new nameplate with ‘Carnegie Building’ on it and a brand new identity and sense of purpose.
Since the 2015 established Castleisland Chamber Alliance came into being it has taken the building under its considerable wing and given it back its sense of purpose, its heart and its soul.
This winter alone the building has been re-slated and the windows have been replaced with architectural and vernacular integrity at the core of the refurbishment works.
A New Beginning
This is all as a means to a beginning – a new beginning – which is aimed at making it easier than ever for people to start up or go out on their own in a fully equipped office space and supporting services.
Castleisland Chamber Alliance recently announced that the newly refurbished ‘Carnegie Hub’ is now open for business and is offering spaces to start-ups, as an incubation centre, where the promoters are unsure of the space required, and how quickly the business will grow and require more spaces as a result.
Carnegie Offering Flexibility
“The Carnegie offers flexible solutions, in those uncertain periods of growth, until such time businesses are ready to step up to permanent facilities of their own, rented, leased on a longer term basis, or self owned, said chamber Chairman, Michael John Kearney.
“The remote worker is also welcomed, where a formal work space outside of home is a more work friendly setting.
“Individual clients of the Carnegie Hub will have the choice of an open plan, co-working desk or a separate office,” said Mr. Kearney.
Full or Half Day Hire
“The hub also provides hot-desking whereby desk space can be hired for half or full days, weekly or monthly to facilitate those working for multi-nationals or larger companies that work from Kerry one or two days per week.
“Rental of a desk or separate office includes all utilities including: free Wifi; use of meeting room with AV available if required; canteen facilities; office cleaning – and all available from €195 per calendar month.
A meeting room with audio visual facilities can be rented separately.
Social Enterprise Recycling
Profits from this social enterprise will be used by the chamber to provide other facilities and improvements in Castleisland.
“This is ‘hot desking’ or trying out a business plan in a working environment conducive to productivity and a pooling of skills and ideas while sharing an office or in a space of your own.
“If you’re working from home but not really sure about making the move to a rented office why not try a few days at the Carnegie it may be the perfect fit.
Banish Worry, Stress and Expense
“You don’t have to worry about setting up an office and all the stress and expense that entails. Working from home has advantages but many find it isolating.
“At the Carnegie Hub you get the opportunity to meet and work alongside other like minded people and your office is situated at the gateway to Kerry.
Retail Centre of Kerry
“Castleisland is, probably, the best retail centre in Kerry and is renowned for fashion, DIY, house and home, artisan cafes and daytime restaurants.
In addition, Castleisland Chamber Alliance is pleased to announce, that it will make a business mentoring service free to all start -ups in the town in their first year of business.
“This covers a number of areas of expertise – business planning, finance, marketing, research and development, production and human resources which are important components of those early days in business,” Michael John concluded.
Contact Details
The Carnegie Building is situated 100 metres from the state of the art An Riocht Athletic Club with its tartan track and surrounded by the town park, walks including the scenic river walk.
Anyone interested in trying out an office space in the Carnegie Building is invited to contact:
087 63 39 338 or email castleislandchamber@gmail.com DM on Facebook or twitter
