A LIBRARY in one of Ireland's oldest Catholic grammar schools is set to undergo redevelopment with a £592,500 lottery grant.
The money will be used to restore the O'Laverty Library at St Malachy's College, Belfast and help conserve and catalogue its important collection of 6,000 books, pamphlets, manuscripts and periodicals.
It will also promote the hidden and lesser-known heritage of the college including its links to the United Irishmen and the anti-slavery movement.
Founded in 1833, St Malachy's College on the Antrim Road is the oldest Catholic grammar school in the province of Ulster with its library named after Monsignor James O'Laverty, a former student who was appointed Dean of the College in 1857.
His Irish manuscripts are the centrepiece of the collection.
The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will safeguard and provide greater access to the library's printed collections and archive, whose gems include 18th century diaries and letters written by Michael Collins and Padraig Pearse.
Following refurbishment the library will also house a small space to host activities such as research, book launches and poetry readings.
These activities will transform the library into a hub for the local community where people can access, use and learn more about the library and its collections.
Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: "We are delighted to support this project which will refurbish the library, creating a space with enhanced facilities that will benefit not only the students of St Malachy's College, but the wider community too".
School principal Paul McBride said: "This funding will ensure the preservation of this valuable collection from our heritage and will transform the library and associated facilities so that they may be enjoyed by our pupils, staff, the wider community and interested groups".
