Reading Room And Library

The Reading Room and Library, formerly the Mechanics' Institute, is a significant building dating from the late 18th century or early 19th century. It is two storeys high and constructed of stucco-covered painted brick. The building features a plinth, quoins at the ground floor, and a heavy cornice at the first floor level. From this cornice, two end pilasters with composite capitals rise to a rebuilt parapet that screens the roof.

There are three windows on the front, all hung sashes set in plain reveals with plain cills, each topped with a triangular pediment on two small consoles. The central window on the first floor is taller and has a wide shouldered architrave, a larger pediment, and larger consoles. The doorway is semi-circular-headed and includes a fanlight above two panelled doors, flanked by two pilasters that support an entablature. The entrance is accessed by two steps and has two foot scrapers. One window section is set back to the left, and the ground floor window has been altered.

Inside, there is a large room with Ionic pilasters along the walls and an entablature featuring a dentilled cornice. A musicians' gallery is supported by posts. The room contains an 18th-century style wood fireplace with a broken pedimented shelf, though this is now obscured by shelves. Part of the room's decoration may date from 1853 when a skylight was added to the roof. There is also a room at the rear with delicate provincial Adam style decoration, including an enriched ceiling with a swagged frieze, an enriched wood fireplace flanked by doors with ornamental friezes, and a good glazed screen leading into the larger room, which features a huge enriched semi-circular fanlight above side lights and glazed doors.

The Mechanics' Institute was originally the Mansion House of Louth and served as the centre of municipal life. Nos 6 to 12 (even) form a group.