Art Exhibition By Poet Edward Lee in Galway City Library

Playing Poohsticks: Part One
An Art Exhibition: at Galway City Library.1st - 21st December 2010

Inspired by the poems of his first collection, Playing Poohsticks On Ha'PennyBridge(Spider Press, 2009), the artist Edward Lee is proud to present the first part of a quartet of exhibitions spanning the next four years. The first exhibition will take place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street.
The quartet will be a reflection of each of the 60 poems contained in the collection. For the first exhibition, the artist will present the first 15 paintings in the series, alongside the poems that inspired them.

All of the paintings on exhibit will be for sale for 60 euro each and will include a copy of the poetry collection signed by the author. For the duration of the exhibition, the book will also be available to purchase for the special exhibition price of 6 euro.

Opening Night & wine reception will be Thursday 9th December 2010 from 6.30 ~ 8.00pm

Table Quiz in Athenry Library

Athenry Library held a very successful Table Quiz in the Library on Wednesday 17th November at 10 a.m.
14 teams took part from the Primary Schools in the Athenry area. Schools represented were, Athenry Boys School, Scoil Croi Naofa, Athenry, Lisheenkyle N.S., Killeeneen N.S., Craughwell, Newcastle N.S. and Esker N.S.
Newcastle N.S. were the winners. Runners-Up were Scoil Croi Naofa, Athenry. Trophies were presented to both teams.

Our photo shows Deputy Mayor of County Galway, Cllr. Jim Cuddy, presenting Summer Reading Certificates recently in Athenry Library.

Monsters and Things in Tuam Library

Jay Ryan’s puppet show Monsters and Things was one of the events as part of the Children’s Book Festival in Tuam Library.
A sudden case of the sniffles puts Podi and Jacks' plans to become famous into jeopardy when, by chance, Jack happens across a spell book belonging to a mysterious wizard. What ensues is a tale of well-intentioned mishap and hilarious misfortune as evidenced by our 'before and after' photos.
Read more:http://blogs.myspace.com/pignutproductions#ixzz15kNyXsOr

Live History in Ballybane Library

Michael Moylan visited Ballybane Library on Wednesday last to give his live History show on World War 2 School children from St Michael’s National attended with their teachers.
It was an amazing event when Michael brought history alive and the children had a hands on experience of that time.
See his website on http://helixid.com/irishhistorylive/index.html

Estonian poetry in translation in Oranmore Library

Estonian writing lives on - searching and experimenting, taking pleasure in its own existence and in the beauty of its mother tongue as it strives for eternity...

Poet and writer Anthony O’Brien facilitates a reading of Estonian poetry in translation in Oranmore Library on Wednesday 17th November at 7.00pm

Europe Direct Wind Energy Soapbox at Westside Library

Europe Direct staff from the centres at Ballinasloe Library and Carraroe Library in partnership with Westside Library staff held a very successful soapbox competition at Westside library on Monday, November 1st at 8pm.
The competition was the first in a series of heats from the seven Europe Direct Centres in Ireland and the winner from Galway goes on to represent the Western Region at the National Final in Farmleigh on November 19th at 2pm.

Marian Harkin, MEP, chaired what turned out to be a most enjoyable nights debate and the winner from Garbally College, Ballinasloe was : Eoghan Costello.
Eoghan wins first prize of an iPad plus a trip for himself and his parents to Brussels (courtesy of MEP,Marian Harkin).
Second prize of 200 Euro went to Jack McKenna, Garbally College,Ballinasloe.
Third prize of 100 Euro went to Aoife Ni Chonghaile, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrún Rua.
Two supplementary prizes of 50 euro each went to Shane Bleahene and Jack Kelly...both of Garbally College, Ballinasloe.

THE Europe Direct Centres were set up by the European Commission, in patrnership with the Library Council to provide information to the public in an easy to access manner. Prizes for the soapbox competition were provided by the European Commission and Marian Harkin, MEP.Staff at both centres appreciate the help received from everyone on the night.

Halloween Story time at Ballybane Library

Some photos of the special Halloween story time last Friday in the Library at Ballybane. Around 50 children arrived and were dressed-up for the occasion (including our mysterious and elegant storyteller). A fun time was had by all.

Gort Public Library -2010 Autumn Activities

8.00pm Thurs. 11^th Nov. - Communicating Europe: Portuguese Night
The Communicating Europe project, organised by Galway County Libraries, aims to highlight the diverse culture and literature of European countries. Each of the 29 branch libraries in County Galway will focus on the culture and literature of a particular country.
Gort library will be hosting a Portuguese night with bi-lingual readings of Portuguese writings.

8.00pm Fri. 19^th Nov. - Concert
The Galway Music Residency is presents the Galway Ensemble in Residence, ConTempo Quartet. Admission Free. Doors open 7.30pm.

Children's Book Festival - Storytelling
Gort library will be visited by storytelling performers, Michael Moylan of Irish History Live and Jonathan Gunning of The Gombeens. These performances take place in the library during school hours, admission is by invitation only through the local schools.

Book Clubs
Gort Library hosts two book clubs for adults; The Morning Reading Circle and The Evening Reading Circle. Membership for both groups is currently full.

Best Library Service • Galway County Council- Public Library Provision through Public Community Partnerships

Galway County Council has been named Best Library Service at Chambers Ireland’s 7th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards which were held recently. The Awards were held in association with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D. said, “Once again I am delighted that my Department is associated with Chambers Ireland's Excellence in Local Government Awards, which highlights best practice among local authorities, thus enabling a diffusion of excellence.”

Best Library Service
• Galway County Council- Public Library Provision through Public Community Partnerships

1. IIIt is the policy of Galway County Council to make each local library a visible community space for educational and cultural activities. This project - a community partnership model for library provision - is based on the premise that: even in the smallest town the public library is central to building a sense of local community. Galway County Council believes that in smaller communities there are clear advantages in locating the local library within and alongside other community facilities, rather than endeavouring to provide a purpose built facility by itself. This approach can achieve optimum integration of the local library into existing community infrastructure.

Our photo shows Cllr. Jimmy McCLearn, Mayor of County Galway accepting the award from

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D at Chambers Ireland’s 7th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards