April-is-Poetry-Month- Galway City Library

In a link up with the Academy of American Poets, Galway City Library is participating in a month long April-is-Poetry-Month project.

With the lines “Do I dare disturb the Universe,” from
the famous T S Eliot poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, being chosen as a theme for this year’s celebration, the poet and poet-performer from Derry, John Walsh will perform the poem in full in Galway City Library on Wednesday April 1st. at 1.30pm.

East Galway Art Trail continues

East Galway Art Trail continues with further exhibitions in Ballinsloe and Portumna libraries. This is an innovative idea that is concerned with art awareness and library awareness. Its objective is to bring art and artists into the community by using the space available in rural libraries. These artists are working and living within communities. The collaboration of artists and libraries can be of great benefit to the public for the enjoyment of art and library’s facilities. It is also of benefit to local schools for leaving cert and junior cert students and teachers. It is an opportunity to engage with contemporary art, artists and literature. The art trail aims to make art accessible to everyone in the community; that is the intention that Galway County Library staff, who are based in the East Galway area, and Joyce Little, a local Ballinasloe artist, had when they worked together to bring this project to realization.

Ciaran Óg Arnold, is a Ballinasloe artist and studied in G.M.I.T, Griffith College Dublin and NUI. He has spent the majority of the last ten years working as a freelance photographer and graphic designer. For a time he worked as a commercial photographer with a successful studio in Galway. He has also been involved in various documentary projects (video) and has directed two music videos. 4 years ago he decided to leave the world of commercial photography and focus on his more personal and artistic ambitions. He has been published in source photographic review and had an exhibition in the gallery of photography temple bar in summer 08
Ciaran Óg Arnold, joint exhibition, EDBallinasloe/Ballinasloe Library, 1st April, 7.30pm. and will run for two weeks. Ballinasloe librarian: Mary Dillon, Colette Hanrahan, Brid Grehan and Maura Croffy

Una Spain is a Ballinasloe artist and has a background in fine art (Painting) and is currently in her final semester of the four year (Hons) Degree programme in Photography in DIT. The body of work presented in this exhibition is based on specific sites which the artist considers significant, not just in local terms, but also could be considered as being representative of larger national and global considerations per say. Observing the recent changes that have taken place in society as a whole, these images are representative of an acknowledgement by the artist of these sites, and operate as visual links to that which went before. The effects of time itself is documented within these spaces and the body of work as a whole is designed to be evocative. The photographs ultimately function, as what David Campany refers to, as being ‘traces of traces'
Una Spain , joint exhibition Ballinasloe Library, 1st April, 7.30pm. and will run for two weeks. Ballinasloe librarian: Mary Dillon, Colette Hanrahan, Brid Grehan and Maura Croffy.

Áine Flanagan, is a Craughwell artist. She graduated from G.M.I.T. and is a Textile artist. Her exhibition is called ` Kimono`. The artist sees the Kimono as wearable piece of art and has created a series of designs for the kimono. Her inspiration comes from the environment surrounding the artist in East Galway . The pieces are created with dupion silk and are hand dyed, she uses the sewing machine as her pencil.
Áine Flanagan, solo exhibition, Portumna Library, 8th April, 7.30pm. and will run for two weeks .
Portumna Librarian:Teresa Tierney, Louise Harte.

Over The Edge in Galway City Library

The March ‘Over The Edge: Open Reading’ takes place in Galway City Library on Thursday, March 26th, 6.30-8.00pm. The Featured Readers are Maureen Ryan, Dave Rock & Marck Beggs.

Marck Beggs is a professor and graduate dean at Henderson State University, Arkansas. When he is not writing poems or singing his quasi-folk songs, he can sometimes be found watching the weeds proliferate in his garden as he daydreams of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and butternut squash. Needless to say, he cites Whitman as a major influence. He is the author of Catastrophic Chords (Salmon, 2008), Libido Café (Salmon, 2004) and Godworm (1995). His folk-rock band, dog gods, released their debut CD in 2008 (www.cdbaby.com/doggodsmusic).

Maureen Ryan has lived most of her adult life in Galway. She has published two novels and over 400 academic papers, essays, sermons, meditations and reflections. She is a psychologist, a Priest in the Church of Ireland and a Canon in the National Cathedral of St. Patrick’s, Dublin. She recently gave up a well paid job as a religious columnist to make her fortune writing poetry. To that end she is taking classes with Susan Millar DuMars and Kevin Higgins. She is preparing a book for Columba Press and a collection of short stories titled 'Marchpane Smiles'.

Dave Rock is a Scottish-Lithuanian-Irish-English something or other. He has been writing since he was seven years old. His work has been published in journals such as The Shop, Revival, Faoiseach and The Old Yellow Lantern. He won the GYT/Bank of Ireland One Act Play Festival Best New Writing Award. He has been a featured reader at many different venues, the Whitehouse, the Electric Picnic and Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures. He is a former auditor of the Writers Society of NUIG. His first collection of poetry is published soon by Maverick Press.

As usual there will be an open-mic after the Featured Readers have finished. New readers are always most welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.

Library Ireland Week in Ballybane Library

Local historian, William Henry speaking about 'Ballybane and its history,' during the recent Library Ireland Week

During the year a documentary was commissioned to follow the Parents Back to Education Group as they studied for their Junior Certificate English examination. In Ballybane Library they viewed their journey on DVD recently.

Westside People Reads Event

The Westside People Reads event was held in Westside Library on Tuesday 03 March to celebrate Library Ireland Week. Many ‘Westsiders’ including Mayor Councillor Padraig Coneely attended and spoke about their favourite book and why it is their favourite. The range of books was very large and included diverse topics from romance to political machinations.

Left - Mayor Councillor Padraig Conneely and Milla Gordon at the Westside People Reads event.

East Galway Art Trail

East Galway Art Trail is now in its second year and we are delighted to say last year was a huge success. All of the venues were well attended and the response was very positive. East Galway Art Trail is an innovative idea that is concerned with art awareness and library awareness. Its objective is to bring art and artists into the community by using the space available in rural libraries. These artists are working and living within communities.
The collaboration of artists and libraries can be of great benefit to the public for the enjoyment of art and library’s facilities. It is also of benefit to local schools for leaving cert and junior cert students and teachers. It is an opportunity to engage with contemporary art, artists and literature.
The art trail aims to make art accessible to everyone in the community; that is the intention that Galway County Library staff, who are based in the East Galway area, and Joyce Little, a local Ballinasloe artist, had when they worked together to bring this project to realization. The six artists involved in this years art trail are Brendan Grealy, Una Devine, Geraldine O Brien, Una Spain, Ciaran Óg Arnold and Áine Flanagan.

Brendan Grealy, is a native of Ballinasloe. He is an art graduate of G.M.I.T. and Crawford Academy Cork. His work is a radical departure from his previous collections. He is concerning himself not only with landscape but rather with the concept of introspection. Grealy’s expressionistic style, exploes the relationship of the artist with his surroundings and thoughts, redefining one’s self and mindscape through the act of redefining the process and expectations of creating art. His paintings are rich in colour, concept and explore a multitude of sensations evoked in the viewer. The work is a playful dialogue between tone and tactility, and bounces from the canvas commanding the space it inhabits.
Brendan Grealy, solo exhibition Eyrecourt library, 11th March, 7 p.m. and will run for two weeks. Eyrecourt librarian: Ms Laura Flynn

Una Devine is a graduate from Cluin Mhuire art collage in Galway. She lives and works in Galway. Her exhibition is called 'Woodford a Place of Parts'. The inspiration for this collection was a "walk around" visit to Woodford where she was moved by the luminosity and beauty of the town, even on a dull day. The pieces were drawn from impressions she gathered with the camera from this walk. She uses the photographic image as a starting point and then works on stretched canvas. The mediums she uses are acrylic paint, oil paint and shellac. She is inspired by the work of Hughie O' Donoghue.
Una Devine, solo exhibition, Woodford Library, 18th March, 8pm. and will run for two weeks Woodford librarian : Eleanor Farrell.

Geraldine O Brien, is a Galway artist. She graduated from Limerick College of Art and Design, She has a textile degree from G.M.I.T. and is currently undertaking an MA in Design History and Material Culture at N.C.A.D. Her exhibition is called `Encroachment`. The playful images belie the insidious aspect of being encroached upon. The role of hand stitch is a comment on the invasive prevalence of machinery and technology. The installation, which comprises of dresses in varying stages of decomposition, reflects the feeling of being violated
Geraldine O Brien, solo exhibition, Kilimor Library, 25th March, 7pm. and will run for two weeks Kilimor librarian: Marie Mullins

Launch of “Away with Words” in Ballybane Library

On Tuesday 24th February, Ballybane Library in conjunction with the Brothers of Charity Services, hosted the launch of “Away with Words” Volume 1. “Away with Words” is a collection of poems and stories by adults with a learning disability. The book is a wonderful mix of imagination, humour and life affirming creativity.
Speaking at the event, County Librarian, Pat McMahon, talked about the magic of creativity and how this magic was much in evidence at the launch. The book includes prose and poetry by members of the two Creative Writing groups who meet weekly in Ballybane Library.

Writer Kevin Higgins, who facilitates one of the Creative Writing classes, launched the collection. Writer Susan Millar du Mars facilitates the second creative writing class. Speaking at the launch, Susan stated that the Creative Writing Group which she facilitates in Ballybane Library is her favourite group of the many classes which she teaches.
Music was provided courtesy of the “Soundscape Music Project” and included a very distinctive barrel organ. Refreshments on offer included delicious pancakes to mark Pancake Tuesday. The event was a resounding success and we look forward to “Away with Words” Volume 2!

More Library Ireland Week events In Galway Public Libraries

Clifden Library
The theme in Clifden this year is "Health & Beauty" and the following Talks and Demonstrations will take place.

Wednesday 4th of March @7.30pm - Dr Matthew Kingston from Discover Chiropractic will give a talk on 'Health & Vibrancy of Back & Spine"

Thursday 5th of March @ 11am - Eileen O'Connor gives a talk on 'Looking after your skin from the inside out'

Friday 6th of March @ 7.00pm - Wendy DeBrock will demonstrate the Art of Bobbin Lace Making

Tuam Library

Fiona McDonagh from ‘Cups and Crowns’ Theatre Company here on Thursday 5th March, also World Book Day. She will be doing workshops with the children entitled “I’m in the Story” where different classes will act out their favourite books and bring the characters to life.

Ballybane Library

On Friday 6th March, at 11.15am. Local historian, William Henry will speak about 'Ballybane and its history.'

Athenry Library

Children’s author/reading specialist Kate McMahon will give a talk on 'Dyslexia – What do I do now?' on Wednesday 11th March at 8 pm
Gort Library

7.30pm Thurs. March 5th: Gort Cinema Club will be holding a screening of the thriller “La Zona” directed by Rodrigo Plá from Mexico. (€ 6.00)
12.00pm Fri. March 6th: Special Party Storytime for Preschoolers

Loughrea Library
Saturday 7th @ 11.00am – 1.00pm – Open Arts & Crafts session
Free session, open to all children and supervised by library staff, participation is free, and children may arrive at any time and stay for whatever period they wish.
Books and Film Exhibition
To celebrate the Oscars season, Loughrea Library is exhibiting a display of books whose cinematic adaptations have been nominated for or won Oscars over the years.

Plenty more of events are being held thoughout the county, so check with your Galway local public library.