The Centre opened in 1995 on the site of the demolished Literary Institute. The Literary Institute was built in 1876. It was donated to the town by Doctor Crerand from Illistrin and opened by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Lord O'Hagan.
The Centre began operations in 1995 on the site formerly housing the Literary Institute, which had been dismantled. The Literary Institute, established in 1876, was a present from Doctor Crerand of Illistrin and inaugurated by Lord O'Hagan, Ireland's Lord Chancellor.