A Trio of Artists - Exhibition in Clifden Library

'Gallant Sons' in Tuam Library

Mayor to Launch For the Record, the Archives of Galway’s Rural District Councils

Cllr. Liam Carroll, Mayor of Galway County, is to launch For the Record, The Archives of Galway’s Rural District Councils, a Guide to the Collections held by Galway County Council Archives in Áras an Chontae on 1 May 2014 at 5.30 pm. The guide has been produced by the Archives as an action of the County of Galway Decade of Commemorations Strategy 2013-2023. All are welcome to this event.

Dr Mary Clancy, historian and author attached to NUI Galway, will also give what promises to be an enlightening and interesting talk on the role, functions and attitudes of the Rural District Councils.

Galway Libraries shortlisted nomination for 2014 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

The International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award is presented annually for a novel written in English or translated into English. The award is an initiative of Dublin City Council, the municipal government of Dublin, in partnership with IMPAC, with the objective of promoting excellence in world literature. Nominations are submitted by library systems in major cities throughout the world.

The nomination process for the Award is unique as nominations are made by libraries in capital and major cities throughout the world. Participating libraries can nominate up to three novels each year for the Award. Over 400 library systems in 177 countries worldwide were invited to nominate books for the 2014 award.

Cúirt Kitchen Reading 2014 - Dave Lordan

Holistic Infant Development in Gort Public Library

Liam & Tom O’Flaherty Society - Galway City Library

Liam & Tom O’Flaherty Society - 
THE INVENTION OF LIAM O’FLAHERTY AND LAUNCHING AN UNKNOWN O’FLAHERTY SATIRE. ‘A Cure for Unemployment’
Thursday, 24 April, 6 – 8 p.m. in Galway City Library.
Free. All welcome

It took a person of courage and understanding to ‘discover’ the forsaken Irish writers in England. One such person, and a key agent in the case of Liam O’Flaherty, was Edward Garnett.

The speaker, Dr Frank Shovlin, is an expert on the subject. He is Senior Lecturer of Irish Literature in English at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool and will give an entertaining and informative, illustrated talk on Edward Garnett and Liam O’Flaherty in England.

In the context of O’Flaherty as a writer in London, the Society is launching, at this event, a hitherto completely unknown satirical text by O’Flaherty – ‘A Cure for Unemployment’. This text is published as one of three satirical texts in the Swiftian mode – one of these is by Swift himself: ‘A Modest Proposal’, a modern take on it by Tomás Mac Síomóin, ‘An Immodest Proposal’ and Liam O’Flaherty’s.
This publication will be launched, quite appropriately, by Terry McDonough, Professor of Economics at NUI Galway.

Glimpses of Tuam through the Centuries

April Exhibition in Galway City Library

Leabharlann Bhaile Locha Riach - Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Leabhar 2014

French Literature in Galway City Library

Did you know that Galway City Library has a collection of French literature books?
They can be found in the adult literature section and you can also find some books in the juvenile section.

There are books in French,  French authors translated into English and bilingual books.
Be adventurous and discover a new language, new authors and another culture.
A small part of the collection is on display on a table near the adult desk.

Cúirt Kitchen Readings in Westside and Ballybane Libraries

Cúirt Kitchen Readings are informal gatherings are free and open to all. 
The guests gather in the kitchen with the overflow finding seating in the hallway or, weather permitting, in the garden, are served the tea and scones provided by the hosts, and then listen to the reading.

For more information contact 

Ballybane Library (091) - 380590, ballybane@galwaylibrary.ie

or 
Westside Library (091) - 520616, westside@galwaylibrary.ie.

April Photo Exhibition in Clifden Library

Tuam Library March Events

For the Record, the Archives of Galway’s Rural District Councils

Galway County Council Archives has published, as an action under the Decade of Commemorations Strategy, 2013-2023, a guide to its Rural District Council archive holdings.  It is hoped that this easy to read useful guide, titled For the Record, the Archives of Galway’s Rural District Councils, will raise awareness of the existence of this important primary source material.  

The collections, dating from 1899-1925, detail the functions and achievements of our predecessors in early local government, dealing with, among other things, the provision of labourers’ cottages, water pumps and burial grounds, and also the maintenance of local roads.  The collections, which are comprised primarily of minutes, chart the change in political thinking in the early 1900s when the Councils supported Home Rule but were by 1920 demanding full independence and recognising the underground Dáil Éireann.

Copies of the publication are available by contacting archivist@galwaycoco.ie

Ceolchoirm Mhór na Féile Leabharlann Bhaile Locha Riach, The Big Concert in Loughrea Library

Oranmore Heritage presentation in Oranmore Library

Re-discovering Tuam Castle in Tuam Library

Time is of the Essence - Photographic Exhibition in Galway City Library

One Book, One Tuam

One Book One Tuam, Tuesday 25^th February 2014 to Friday 11^th April 2014.

Following on from the hugely successful launch of One Book One Tuam on Tuesday 25^th February 2014, a comprehensive schedule of activities and events have been organized to help bring our chosen book, ‘The London Eye Mystery’ by Siobhan Dowd, to life for readers, young and old.

 ‘The London Eye Mystery’ by Siobhan Dowd is a story written for 9 to 12-year-olds that holds universal appeal for readers of all ages.

This is a novel that works on a number of levels and is a compulsively readable, spine-tingling thriller with subtle characterization. It provides rich veins for exploration by reading groups and also by teachers in the classroom setting.

It can be appreciated not least for Siobhan’s portrayal of disability as a gift. “London Eye” won the NASEN/TES Special Educational Needs Children’s Book Award, was longlisted for the 2008 Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for a range of other awards. In May 2008, it was posthumously awarded the

Bisto Book of the Year prize.

Siobhan Dowd was born in 1960 to Irish parents. She was brought up in London, but spent much of her youth visiting the family homes in County Waterford and Wicklow town. Sadly, Siobhan died in 2007. Throughout her life, Siobhan was committed to integration and providing opportunities for young people experiencing adversity to share in her love of literature and reading. Shortly, before she died, she set up the Siobhan Dowd Trust.

The Siobhan Dowd Trust has the simple aim to bring the joy of reading to those who need it most – disadvantaged children and young adults. It is the legacy of Siobhan Dowd, who bequeathed the royalties from her books to further the Trust’s work and who did so much in her short life for others.

Siobhan’s cousin - Rosari O’Brien will be visiting Tuam library and schools on behalf of the Siobhan Dowd Trust on Friday 14th March 2014 to talk about Siobhan’s life and work. This is a great opportunity to gain an insight into ‘The London Eye Mystery’, the influences that lead Siobhan into her writing career and her passion for supporting those less fortunate.

Rosari will be gving a public presentation in the library from 1.45 pm to 2.30 pm. Anyone with an interest in ‘The London Eye Mystery’ or the life of the author are welcome to attend.

Clifden Library Exhibition-The Great War 1914-1918 through picture postcards and other ephemera including The 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin”

Kitchen wanted for Cúirt Westside Kitchen Readings

Kitchen wanted for Cúirt Kitchen Readings

Cúirt International Festival of Literature in conjunction with Galway City Library Service will be hosting Kitchen Readings in April.

Poets, Elaine Feeney and Dave Lordan, are the guests of the 2014 Kitchen Readings which will take place in a number of homes in Galway City during the week of the festival. These informal gatherings are free and will be open to all.

Westside Library is currently looking for a kitchen within walking distance of the Westside Library to host the event.

For more information please contact: Westside Library  : (091) 520616 westside@galwaylibrary.ie

Ballet Ireland workshop in Westside Library

Ballet Ireland dance teachers, Stephen Brennan and Jane Magan with 2nd class Scoil Bhride. 


The recent workshop was in Westside Library as part of Westside Library's 10th Anniversary Programme. 

One Book, One Tuam in Tuam Library

Battle of Aughrim in Oranmore Library

Westside Library’s Reminiscences Night

Korean New Year in Ballybane Library

Some nice photos of our Korean children celebrating the Korean New Year here in Ballybane Library on Sat Feb. 1^st. 

A group of parents and children meet here every Saturday morning to learn the Korean language and traditions. 

Here they are dressed in traditional costume and they are playing the traditional Korean board game of ‘Yut Nori’.

'Love is in the air' in Galway City Library

'Love is in the air' in Galway City Library. 
We are inviting patrons to go on a blind date with a book for Valentines Day. 
Take home one of our specially selected wrapped books and you could be surprised by what you find beneath the covers. 

Oranmore Library Poetry Reading

Martin Reilly Lecture ‘The Póitín Gathering’: two 19th century fiddle players from south-west Donegal

Westside Library 10th Anniversary Programme of Events

Western Regional Section of the Library Association of Ireland

The National University Maynooth Library recently hosted a visit from twenty members of the Western Regional Section of the Library Association of Ireland.  The group received a tour of the John Paul II and Russell Libraries during the visit.
Included in the photo are  Galway Library student interns Catharina Wieschholter, Anne Fichtmuller and Christin Stegerhoff.

Reminiscences Night in Westside Library

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

Tuam Library Christmas & New Years Opening Times

Christmas and New Year opening hours in Galway City Library