Launch Night in Westside Library 29th January 2014

It was launch night in Westside Library last  Wednesday 29^th January 2014. Mayor Pádraig Conneely officially launched the Old Rahoon Graveyard leaflet and Westside Library 10^th Anniversary Programme of Events to a large audience including local councillors and many members of the local community.

The Old Rahoon Graveyard leaflet was created by Dr Jim Higgins, Heritage Officer with Galway City Council with Eachtra Archaelogical Services. The leaflet is a map on how the graves which have been all added to the Historic graves website are laid out and gives fascinating insight into the type of grave monuments found there. It is a great resource for all of the community. This project was funded by the Heritage Council and Galway City Council as an action of the Galway City Heritage Plan.

Copies of a leaflet of Old Rahoon are available from Dr. Jim Higgins, Heritage Office, City Hall, College Rd., Galway (091 536547). More information can be found at http://historicgraves.com/graveyard/old-rahoon/ga-odra

Westside Library is marking its tenth anniversary with the launch of its Programme of Events for 2014. The Programme which will include music, art, dance, literary and local history events will take place throughout the year. Included in this program is the involvement of the National Gallery of Art, Dublin & the National Museum of Ireland plus Ballet Ireland and Monica Loughman Ballet Company. Staff at Westside Library is currently working on the Local History exhibition which will be launched later in the year. A Reminiscences Night will take place next Wednesday night 05^th February at 6.30 pm in Westside Library. All members of the community are invited to attend and share their memories of the area on how it has changed and developed over recent time. A recording will be made of the event and will become part of the Local History exhibition.

For further information please contact, Cora Gunter or Elizabeth Keane in Westside Library (091-520616).

'Have we the power to decide what happens in Europe?' Europe Direct event in Westside Library

Oranmore Heritage in Oranmore Library

Age Action Computer Class in Oranmore Library

Clifden Library Art Exhibition

Professing the Humanities Lecture in Galway City Library

THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Invites you to
PROFESSING THE HUMANITIES 2013_14

An tOllamh Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha
‘Medieval Irish Literature: Why read it today?’

GALWAY CITY LIBRARY, AUGUSTINE ST
6.30PM Wednesday 22 January

Free. 
All are welcome.
Fáilte roimh chach!

Call for nominations for new Laureate na nÓg Honouring Irish Children’s Literature

The nomination process for Ireland’s next children’s laureate is now open. Laureate na nÓg, an iniatiative of The Arts Council, is an honorary title conferred on an established and dynamic children’s author or illustrator for a period of two years. The next Laureate will be following in the footsteps of the inaugural Laureate na nÓg, Siobhán Parkinson, and the incumbent, Niamh Sharkey.

Sarah Bannan, the Arts Council’s Head of Literature, says, ‘Laureate na nÓg is Ireland’s highest honour for a writer or illustrator of children’s books and was established by the Arts Council in order to celebrate the extraordinary talents of our writers and illustrators. Through this appointment and the Arts Council’s wider strategy for children’s literature, we are working to broaden and enrich young people’s imaginative worlds and to highlight the importance of Irish children’s literature, writers and illustrators in our society.’

It is fitting that Ireland, as a country world-renowned for its literature, was one of the first to establish such an honour in the field of children’s literature. Irish children’s literature and illustration is recognised worldwide, and there is a huge appetite for children’s and young adult books at home. Indigenous Irish literature serves a crucial function, telling Irish stories, past and present, in English and in Irish, to young readers.

The past and current Laureates have acted as ambassadors in countries including the US, Sweden, Austria and Italy. For example Pictiúr, an exhibition of Irish children’s illustration, has been seen by 25,000 people in 4 countries. And at home Ireland’s Laureates have campaigned for libraries and to secure access to books for all babies born in Ireland, amongst many other activities. 

Elaina O’Neill, Director of Children’s Books Ireland, says, ‘Ireland’s first two Laureates have been real champions for children’s literature and illustration, for reading and drawing, and for the importance of books in every child’s life. Laureate na nÓg is a most prestigious position which acknowledges the phenomenal talent of our native authors and illustrators and which we are so proud to administer on behalf of the Arts Council.’

And now it’s time for Ireland to choose its third Laureate na nÓg. For the first time, people of all ages have the opportunity to help decide which Irish author or illustrator they would like to see so honoured. Nomination forms are available on the link below. Nominations should be submitted by February 15^th 2014.

Current Laureate na nÓg Niamh Sharkey hopes as many people as possible will nominate their choice of Laureate. ‘This is the first year that we’re asking children to get involved as nominators so I hope that parents, teachers and librarians all around the country will encourage young people to get nominating,’ she said.

Laureate na nÓg is an initiative of The Arts Council, with the support of The Department of  Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland, Poetry Ireland and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 

You can nominate your choice for Laureate na nÓg by filling out a nomination form, which can be downloaded here: New nomination form 2014-16
Nominations should be sent to info@childrensbooksireland.ie before February 15th, 2014

Age Action Ireland Book Club in Galway City Library