Ryan Tubridy Delves into Galway Archives

Ryan Tubridy recently visited Galway County Council Archives and the Local History section of Galway County Libraries at Island House, in a search to undercover some of his family’s history.

Ryan was working with Mint Productions on the television programme Who Do You Think You Are? This is a six-part documentary series which explores the big picture of Irish history in the most simple & intimate manner: more than 200 years of Irish experience are seen through one person and their family tree. In each episode, a popular Irish personality traces their roots, and the journey through generations of ordinary lives reveals extraordinary stories.

Ryan discovered during his visit to the Archives that his grandfather, Dr Sean Tubridy (1896-1939), whom he never met, was a dispensary doctor in Lettermore. Through prior research carried out by the Archivist, Patria McWalter, in the minutes of the Board of Health & Public Assistance, Hospital & Dispensary Committee (GC6/) preserved in the Archives numerous references to Dr Tubridy, particularly between 1922 and 1924, were found.

Ryan further learned from the 1901 census, available on microfilm, that his great-grandfather, Patrick, a school teacher, was from Co. Clare. This was the first time Ryan had firm confirmation of the family’s Clare origins.

To learn more about the Tubridy family history we’ll all have to tune into the programme which will be broadcast on RTÉ 1, in the Autumn.

In the meantime, if you wish to learn about your own family’s history why not explore the wealth of information and sources available at the Local History section of Galway Library or in the Archives.

Ballinasloe Library: Europe Direct Lunch Time Event

On Wednesday,29th April next, the Europe Direct Centre at Ballinasloe Library will host a presentation /discussion on the European Parliament and on the forthcoming EP Elections and their relevance.

It will be an information session which will be geared towards European Studies/Transition Year students and the general public. Mr. Francis Jacobs, from the European Parliament Office in Dublin will speak to students from 11.30am-12.30pm and will then speak to members of the general public at a lunch time event from 1-2pm. Food will be provided for the lunch time session.

Queries regarding this event to :mdillon@galwaycoco.ie. or Tel:0909643464

24th Cúirt Festival International Festival of Literature in Galway

The 24th Cúirt International Festival of Literature sees a packed programme with a diverse range of events for adults and younger folk. Alongside the headline readings, the festival will present film screenings, dance and theatre shows, exhibitions and debates - stretch your imagination this April with Cúirt.

Pullitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Schultz, banned Chinese writer Ma Jian and British writers Blake Morrison and Janice Galloway are among participants booked for this year’s International Festival of Literature which opens in Galway today. A celebration of Irish author Brian Friel at 80 and a similar eight-decade birthday for publishers Faber and Faber are also among highlights of the annual event.

Other highlights include prose reading by Joseph O'Neill, Timothy O'Grady, Nadeem Aslam, Helen Simpson and Claire Keegan. Poetry highlights are Jane Hirshfield, Thomas Lynch, Carol Ann Duffy, Don Patterson and Sean O'Brien. This year also features an increased number of ancillary events including a season of literary documentaries by Pat Collins, music events, public interviews (including Aidan Higgins with Neil Donnelly), lectures, theatre and dance and a series of children's events.

Click here for the full Cuirt 2009 programme

Open University at Westside Library

The Open University could provide the flexibility, the qualifications and the top-class teaching you’re after. For most courses you don't need any previous qualifications.
Come along for an informal discussion about courses, learning methods, financial assistance and other general topics. An Open University advisor will be happy to answer your questions and guide you through our prospectus.
Date: Saturday 18 April 2009, 2pm - 5pm
Location: Westside Library, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway

Contact: The Open University in Ireland, tel 0044 28 90 24 5025, email ireland@open.ac.uk

An Invitation to you to “Disturb the Universe” at Lunchtime

In a link up with the Academy of American Poets, Galway City Library is participating in a month long April-is-Poetry-Month project. The lines “Do I dare disturb the universe” from the famous Prufrock poem by TS Eliot has been chosen by the Academy as a theme.
The City Library invites you to disturb the universe with an open invitation to everyone to visit the City Library on any day during April and read either your favourite poem or a poem you yourself have written.

There will be a podium in place at 1.30 each day for readers who wish to participate. If you wish to participate in this please hand your name and mobile phone number in at the City Library desk with the date on which you propose to read. Or you may email…info@galwaylibrary.ie

Alan Durant's Galway Reading Tour

Alan Durant is a London based author of children and teenage books. Alan was on a four day Reading Tour of Galway County and City Schools - visiting Corrandulla, Castlehacket and Donagh Patrick National School. He also read and spoke to children and teenagers from the th Presentation, the Mercy, the Gaeilscoil, St. Patricks and Archbishop McHale's College in Tuam Library. He also hosted children from St. Michael's Boys National School, Mervue Girls and Holy Trinity National School in Ballybane Library.
Our photos show Alan reading from 'Dear Tooth Fairy' and Cinderella-the Fairytale Files for the Mervue Girls and discussing his book 'Goal' and football techniques with the boys from St. Michael's.

Free Verse - Poetry in the Wild

Inspired by the 2009 National Poetry Month Poster design, the Academy of American Poets & Galway Public Libraries invites you to capture and share your own ephemeral bits of verse.

Write lines from a favorite poem on a sandy beach, assemble twigs on a hillside, or chalk the sidewalk,etc. Take a photo before it disappears and email it to rwarren@galwaylibrary.ie (before May 2nd) and/or to freeverse@poets.org. (before April 15). Please include the source of your lines in the photo caption.

All entries received in Galway before May 2nd will be adjudicated by a special panel and the 20 best photographs will be made into A3 size posters and will form an exhibition to be displayed in Galway City Library during late May or early June.

Upcoming Exhibitions & Events at Gort Library

Art teacher, Shona MacGillivray is exhibiting her student’s work at Gort Public Library from April 1st to April 15th. Shona has been running art classes for children in Gort and local children have produced paintings, sculptures and translucent window hangings which will be on display in the newly refurbished library. The window hangings will be shown to advantage on the large neogothic windows in the library. Paintings and sculptures will be on display in the gallery, upstairs in the library.
An exhibition of paintings by adult artists from the locality will be on display in Gort library from April 21st to May 21st.
A group of local classical musicians are performing an evening of chamber music in Gort library at 7pm on Sunday April 5th.