Arts Festival in Clifden Library

John Sheahan of the Dubliners performing in Clifden Library as part of the Clifden Community Arts Festival, (left).
Poets, Tony Curtis, Enrique Juncosa and Michael Coady in the library with John Sheahan at one of the many poetry evenings during the festival.

Storytelling Festival in Galway Public Libraries – October 2010

Galway County Libraries are celebrating Children’s Book Festival during the month of October, with a Storytelling Festival in conjunction with the Arts Office, Galway County Council.

The love of stories is universal. Before the advent of writing and printing stories were used to pass on information, preserve traditions etc. Time has moved on and we live in a very visual technical world, but the art of storytelling is alive and well. The magic of Once upon a time… can still weave a spell for all of us.
During the month of October, storytellers will roam the County delighting children with their fantastic and magical stories. Stories that will amuse, entertain and encourage children to explore the world in all its wonder and diversity. The storytellers will be in residence in the 29 Branch Libraries dotted throughout the County, working in conjunction with the local schools. The Festival is funded by the Arts Office of Galway County Council.

Jay Ryan, Pignut Puppet Theatre Company and Midi Corcoran Earwig Theatre Company will host events in Libraries in the Tuam region, Tuam, Dunmore, Glenamaddy, Ballygar, Athenry and Headford.

Niall de Burca, Pete Mullineaux , Rob Fulton and Carol Barrett are in the City Library, Westside, Ballybane and Oranmore Libraries.

Pat Speight, Jay Ryan and Danielle Allison will tell stories in Ballinsloe, Killimor, Eyrecourt, Woodford and Loughrea Libraries.

Jonathan Gunning will delight audiences in Athenry, Headford, Clifden Gort and Tuam.

Jean Parker will weave stories with younger audiences in Oughterard, Headford, Leenane and Clifden.

Beidh Gwyneth Ui Ghaora, údar agus scéaltóir i Leabharlann na Ceathrun Rua, an Spideal agus Oileain Arainn.

Culture Night in Galway City Library

The Nordic group, Cafe Minor (left), playing in Galway City Library on Friday evening September 24th as part of Culture Night in the City.

Part of the attendance enjoying the poetry and music of Finland as part of Culture Night in Galway City Library.

Positive Ageing Week in Ballybane Library

The Mayor of Galway, Councillor Michael Crowe speaking at the launch of Positive Ageing Week 2010 in Ballybane Library.

Positive Ageing Week is a festival which highlights the positive aspects of ageing and celebrates the contribution older people have made and continue to make to their communities.
The central aim of Positive Ageing Week is to dispel the many negative perceptions that surround ageing and to transform attitudes towards ageing and older people. We need to celebrate the fact that we are living longer, that ageing is not a burden but an opportunity.

Poets in Clifden Library

Some of the visitors to the Library during the recent Clifden Community Arts Festival included Sue Hubbard and Donald Teskey.
Their collaborative new book, The Idea of Islands (Occasional Press) comprises a suite of fifteen emotionally incisive poems and eleven powerfully atmospheric drawings.

The image on the left includes the poets; Michael Coady, Tony Curtis, Rita Ann Higgins and Brendan Flynn. All the poets gave readings in Clifden Library during the Festival.

Three sets of twins visit Ballybane Library

Community Arts Week in Clifden Library

Clifden Community Arts Week is celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2010, from 16th to 26th of September. It is a great celebration of the Arts which includes poetry readings, lectures, recitals, traditional music, concerts, comedy, etc. all enjoyed in a wonderful relaxed atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast.

Among the acts performing this year are - Christy Moore, John O'Connor, Julie Feeney, Irish Chamber Orchestra, ConTempo Quartet, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, Edna O'Brien, traditional Irish music with Matt Cranitch, John Faulkner, Jackie Daly, Brendan Begley and Caoimhín O'Raghallaigh. There will lectures by Diarmaid Ferriter and Mark Patrick Hederman, as well as a performance from Carol Ann Duffy.

The following events are taking place in Clifden Library

16 September 2010 1:00pm- Poetry reading with John Walsh and Jarlath McDonagh
16 September 2010 4:30pm -Reading with writers from The Wordsonthestreet Press

17 September 2010 1:00pm -Galway Arts Centre advanced writers’ workshop under tutor and poet Kevin Higgins
17 September 2010 4:30pm -Thomas Merton and 20th century writers. Talk by Fr. Pat O’Brien

18 September 2010 10:00am-Memoir writing workshop with Irene Graham

20 September 2010 1:00pm- Ed Boyne launches his poetry collection The Day of the Three Swans (Doire Press)

21 September 2010 1:00pm-Hunger, a Dramatic Recital
21 September 2010 4:30pm -Poetry reading with Orlaith Foyle and Nuala Ni Chonchuir

22 September 2010 1:00pm-American Whaling in the 19th Century
22 September 2010 4:30pm-Reading with poet Rita Ann Higgins

23 September 2010 4:30pm-‘The Idea of Islands’.The artist Donald Teskey with Sue Hubbard

24 September 2010 1:00pm-Reading with poet and novelist Fred Johnston
24 September 2010 4:00pm -Reading with Tony Curtis and Enrique Juncosa.

Galway City Library goes into Space

On the 17th of August at 3pm we all gathered at The Centre for Astronomy at N.U.I.G. It was an event in our “Space Hop” Summer Reading Programme and Dr.Andy Shearer had invited us to visit the 3D visualisation suite to see the stars.
We trod softly through the bowels of the Physics Department, and all of the Space Hoppers had smiles of anticipation as we started our space adventure. We were ushered through a science laboratory where students with furrowed brows peered through spectrometers and we could only imagine the stellar scenes or mind boggling aliens they encountered. We were issued with sunglasses as we entered the 3D visualization suite and took our seats with the other space travelers.
We traveled through our universe, stars of all shapes and sizes whizzing past. John, our captain explained in light years the distance between different stars and it was a measurement beyond our comprehension!! Eight year old Iarla enquired if sound traveled in space and when he was assured it didn’t, he asked how did we know about the Big Bang theory then!
We saw the Milky Way and all it’s components and learned that there is no water on the rusty surface of Mars. We tried to imagine how hot it would be on the surface of the sun and learned that the largest telescope of it’s time was built in Offaly in 1845 and was the largest in the world for over 70 years. We were all enthralled with our space trip and the hour passed quickly.

The children had lots of information to pass onto their parents and maybe a new astronomer was born that day. Thanks to Niamh, Alison, Mark, Gavin, Ben, Daniel, Rosa Marie, Iarla, Ciaran, Liam, Aaron and Diana, together we went to the edge of the Universe and back!

Teddy Bear Storytime in Ballybane Library

Storytime in Ballybane Library.

The children were asked to bring their favourite Teddy's and stuffed animals into the Library and Teddy stories were read.

A River of Words in Galway City Library

Galway City Library featured a world of literary and arts celebration on Culture Night last. It was headlined by a very special event. Reflecting on the exemplary life of poet and doctor William Carlos Williams, " A River of Words" was an entertainment for all ages contemplated through the words and images of a great writer and a great man. Popular Galway wordsmith, Susan Millar Du Mars, narrated the story.

An exhibition of painting and sculptures by local artist, Thomas Coyne will be on view in Gort Public Library during August and September. The exhibition is entitled Consequences of Living.

Six Book challenge in Tuam Library

This year for the first time, Tuam Library took part in the Six Book Challenge in association with the Reading Agency. Adults from Ability West and Tuam Adult Literacy took part and on Wednesday 21st July, seven adults from Ability West received certificates from Mayor Sally Ann Flanagan in Tuam Library. Maureen Moran congratulated the participants on their hard work and they are already looking forward to next year’s challenge.

Events in Ballybane Library

Away With Words Vol. 2, edited by Susan Millar DuMars, was

launched in Ballybane Library on Wednesday July 14th at 11am. Kevin Higgins of Over the Edge launched this collection of poetry and writingsfrom the work of the Away

WithWords groups from Galway,

Ballinasloe, Gort and Athenry. This

is a celebration of their gifts and work.

Niall de Burca one of Ireland's finest storytellers shared his stories with local children.

A Facepainting workshop and Michael Redfern entertained children with a talk entitled 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'

‘Communicating Europe Initiative’ begins in Loughrea Library

This was a ‘Communicating Europe Initiative’ and involved placing works in translation by native writers of EU countries in selected libraries to promote public awareness of the literature and culture of countries within the EU. Loughrea Library was assigned Greece and cross-border cultural awareness iniative was formally launched there.
Members from BAFFLE, The Loughrea Creative Writers Group and The Loughrea Active Retired Association were invited to read selected poems from Greek writers. Those who read were: Liam Nolan, Mary Ida Kelly, Ian McDonald, Lucy McCrann, Ray Gately, Anne Marie Kennedy, Joe Conmy, Breid Sibley, James Kennedy and Gretel Sullivan who read on behalf of the library staff.
This was followed by a wine and Greek food reception. It was a most enjoyable evening and was attended by a large and appreciative audience.

Winners of the CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Medals announced

The 2010 CILIP Carnegie Medal was awarded to Neil Gaiman for The Graveyard Book.
The Graveyard Book has already won the 2009 Newbery Medal, the prestigious US equivalent of the Carnegie, making Neil Gaiman the first author to complete the ‘double’ being awarded both these internationally recognised prizes for children’s fiction for the same book ensuring his place in literary history. The Graveyard Book also narrowly missed a ‘triple’ in 2010. Illustrated with evocative line drawings by Chris Riddell, it was also shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for outstanding illustration.

The Graveyard Book is the spooky reworking of Kipling’s The Jungle Book. The story opens with the violent murder of a toddler’s parents and sister that manages to be horrifying without mentioning a drop of blood. The two year old, having escaped his fate, finds himself in a graveyard. There he is adopted by its resident ghosts who bring him up and call him Bod, short for Nobody Owens.

Australian illustrator Freya Blackwood has won the 2010 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, the UK’s most prestigious children’s illustration award for Harry & Hopper (text by Margaret Wild).
The book movingly portrays a young boy, Harry, coming to terms with the sudden death of his much-loved dog, Hopper.
Blackwood’s pictures for Harry & Hopper were partly inspired by one of her own childhood pets; Furlani, a beautiful grey whippet who met a similarly sad and sudden end.

Ballybane Library

Pictured on the left, is County Librarian Pat McMahon presenting our youngest member of the Ballybane Library Keith Croke, age 10 Days, with his membership card..

Pictured on the right, is Pat presenting Mia Duffy age 3 with her prize as winner of the Castlepark Family Day Art Competition.

Summer Reading Challenge in Galway Public Libraries

Looking for a Summer Camp that is free and interesting, why not call to your local library and join the Summer Reading Challenge.
Galway County Libraries are inviting all children to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge and discover the joy and pleasure of reading. The theme this year is “Space Hop”, a leap into space, travelling through the galaxies, exploring the world of astromony.

The Summer Reading Challenge takes place during July and August in all Branch Libraries and Mobile Library. It is free and all children have to do is go along to their local library and get their reading log card. It is not a race or competition, all you have to do is read and enjoy at least six books. There are “selected books” to help you make your choice. Reading Certificates will be awarded to all children who reach the target of six books.

The Summer Reading Challenge focuses on the joy and pleasure of reading. Studies by the OECD show that children who read for pleasure are more likely to do well than does who don’t.

Last year over one thousand seven hundred certificates were presented to children throughout County Galway. The feedback from parents and teachers was very positive. Reading during the summer helps children retain and improve their reading skills.
We are asking all parents and teachers to support and encourage children to participate in “Space Hop”

For further information contact your Local Library or Library Headquarters 091- 562471 or email

Summer Activities in Gort Public Library

ART EXHIBITION:
Artwork by Thomas Coyne will be exhibited in the library throughout July and August. The exhibition will be launched at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6th July.

MUSIC & READING:
The Western Writer’s Centre presents an Afternoon Poetry Reading by renowned Breton publisher and poet, Eve Lerner, at 3pm on Saturday 24th July, upstairs in the library. Eve Lerner is a Breton poet and translator, poetry editor of Hopala! Magazine (a sister magazine to Planet: The Welsh Internationalist) and also runs the L'Autre Rive poetry and visual art centre in Lorient.

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.

Niamh & Emma’s Book Chat (for children by children) will take place from 7pm-8pm on Tues 22nd June and is suitable for 8 -12 year olds.

The Space Hop Children’s Book Chat will take place from 3pm-4pm on the following dates in August: Tues 3rd Thurs 5th Tues 10th Thurs 12th and is suitable for 8 -12 year olds.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE:
The Space Hop Summer Reading Challenge for children of all ages will take place during July and August. The challenge is to read at least six library books during the long summer holidays. Children can track their progress on their Space Hop poster by collecting Space Hop stickers for each library book that they read. Every child who completes the challenge will receive a certificate at the End of Summer Space Hop Party at 12.00 noon on Saturday 11th September.

Gort library is located in St. Colman’s Old Church of Ireland, Queen Street

One Book, One Tuam’ - Tuam library

One Book, One Tuam’ was a reading initiative which took place in Tuam from January to March 2010. Tuam Library collaborated with local schools and groups for the project which was funded by RAPID and Galway County Council Arts Office. The aim of the initiative was to encourage children and adults alike to read ‘Cirque du freak’ by Darren Shan, an Irish author.
The project was a great success with over 600 children in Tuam town receiving a free copy of the book and taking part in associated events. One of the highlights was a ‘flash dance’ which took place on the streets of Tuam where children performed a specially choreographed dance while in scary costumes!
The project was officially launched by Leo Moran from The Sawdoctors and Tuam Town Mayor Tom Reilly. This is the second year that such a project took place in Tuam and will hopefully become an annual event. In 2009 the book which was enjoyed was ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ by Katherine Patterson. One of events of the 2009 project was filmed and shown on The Den.

Cuairteoirí nua sa leabharlann!! / Unusual visitors to Carraroe Library!

'Cuairteoirí neamhghnách tagtha chuig eabharlann na Ceathrún Rua. Beidh siad ag fanacht linn ar feadh seachtaine. Ba bhreá leo casadh leat - Buail isteach. Saothar ealaíona gasúir scoil náisiúnta Iarthar Chonamara.

These are the results of a project undertaken by children in schools in Connemara recycling materials that would be normally thrown away.

Impac 2010 Awards

The 2010 award winner for The Twin, author Gerbrand Bakker, Pat McMahon, Galway Librarian and Margaret Hayes, Acting Dublin City Librarian. Pat McMahon received a citation for his contribution to the award. Picture Jason Clarke

A stimulating, nurturing environment is a necessity

A Report from the Health Research Board, detailing drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users in Ireland, arrived at Library Headquarters on Monday morning. The report makes sad reading. It details the deaths of over 3,000 people, in the last decade, due to poisoning or trauma.
In the same post, another publication arrived which featured a work by the Spanish artist Carmen Calvo. Calvo has been written about in the following way:
"Artists, you can't help but notice, have more interesting gardens than the rest of us. That's because they're so suffused with talent, everything they touch blossoms into self-expression.
Isn't that what, in our heart of hearts, we all believe?
And isn't it a demoralizing thought? "
Well, it's also dead wrong, says Maria del Carmen Calvo, a painter who keeps a garden in Capistrano.
"Artists don't live in beautiful spaces because they are artists," says Calvo. "They live in beautiful spaces so that they can be artists."
They believe that a stimulating, nurturing environment is a necessity, not a luxury, and they go to great lengths to create it. "Beauty feeds our souls," she continues. "We need it in order to function at full capacity" And that "we," insists Calvo, includes all of us...(Read more)

Perhaps the key point here is that “a stimulating, nurturing environment is a necessity, not a luxury.”

I notice that one of the objectives of the Health Research Board is “to assist in identifying and prioritising areas for intervention and prevention, and to measure the effects of such interventions.”

People take drugs because they are searching for something, because they need something for their heads. Literacy skills and access to books and reading in a stimulating, nurturing environment like a library will do something for people’s heads, will allow people to dream real dreams.
Let’s hope that the Health Research Board will identify and prioritise library services as a place which will provide the stimulating, nurturing environment which vulnerable people need.

“Beauty feeds our souls,” but, we might ask, how many of the people on the Health Research Board list who have died, how many of them were given the opportunity to access the beauty which might have fed their souls.

'Overcoming Reading and Learning difficulties' Galway City Library

Galway City Library is pleased to announce a free talk on 'Overcoming Reading and Learning difficulties in children and adults'.
The talk will include segments on how the brain functions and what happens when there are reading and learning problems. Read Dr Bill Jenkins article about the worldwide computer programme Fast ForWord and much more here.

The talk will take place on Wednesday the 16th of June 2010 @ 6.30pm in the City Library.

"We've got books-and they're free."

Here are extracts from a really fine recent editorial in Library Journal. It is by the editor, Francine Fialkoff who writes so wonderfully about books and reading.

The Book Brand
Libraries are the best community place for book culture to thrive
Years ago I heard Paco Underhill tell an audience of librarians to play to their strengths by plastering signs all over saying "we've got books—and they're free." That was back in the 1990s when we might have been trying too hard to put a little distance between libraries and the book culture with which they were most associated.
Happily, despite all the changes in libraries in the last decade or two, the library = books perception still resonates. We've seen the proliferation of book groups (in and outside libraries) and of the "one book, one community" programs. We've seen how new social networking tools, digital technology, and mobile apps can serve readers and reinforce the library-book connection.
And we've seen the community of readers drawn to libraries for author programs and for the entertainment, enlightenment, and just plain distraction that books provide. While the down economy has brought people back to the library, it has also brought many back to books.
Whatever else libraries provide, we would do well to remember Underhill's advice to proclaim the book brand and play it to the hilt. "We've got books, and they're free." Books are both personal and communal, and libraries remain the best community place for book culture to thrive.
You may read the full editorial here.

Ballinasloe Library/Europe Direct Centre - 3 Rivers Storytelling Festival

The 3 Rivers Storytelling Festival,now in its third year, takes place from the 2nd to the 24th of June in the East Galway library catchment area, with some events in Athlone also.

The festival focuses on bringing storytelling to communities in the East Galway area and thus,to make stories and storytellers accessible to both children and adults who might not normally get an opportunity to enjoy this form of the arts.the line up of visiting storytellers this year includes:: SPUD and YAM, Melissa Barker, Liz Weir, Suse Weiss, MairinMhic Lochlainn, Liz Warren, Sue Brown and Danielle Allison.
Libraries in Ballinasloe,Portumna,Loughrea,Eyrecourt,Killimor,Woodford,Athlone and Moate will host visiting storytellers for storytelling sessions in English and Irish. Susa Weiss will visit from Germany as part of Europe Direct Ballinasloe’s continuous programme to promote the arts and culture of European Countries.
Contact local libraries for details of storytelling sessions.

Schools Quiz in Ballybane Library

Ballybane Library hosted a School Quiz last week to local schools. 60 children from 8 schools participated.
It was a resounding success. After a tie break round between Scoil Chaitríona and Claregalway Educate Together ( 68 questions correct out of 80) Claregalway Educate Together were declared the winners.

The Galway Music Residency presents Soprano Deirdre Moynihan & Guitarist Alec O'Leary in Concert at Galway City Library

The Galway Music Residency will kick-off its new Guest Residency Programme with Deirdre Moynihan, soprano and Alec O’Leary, guitar in June at its popular concert series – Lunchtime @ The Library.
Deirdre and Alec will perform a programme featuring Early Music pieces and Spanish Songs by John Dowland, Philip Rosseter, Antonio Ruiz-Pipó and Frederico Garcia Lorca. The performance takes place on Tuesday, June 1st at 1:10 p.m. at The Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street. The concert is free and all are welcome!

Deirdre Moynihan last performed in Galway in April at the launch of The Galway Music Residency with its ensemble-in-residence – ConTempo Quartet. As a soprano soloist she has performed with many orchestral, choral, operatic and chamber music groups both on the international stage and throughout Ireland. Deirdre has also recently performed as a soloist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, The Irish Chamber Orchestra, The Crash Ensemble and The National Chamber Choir of Ireland.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost guitarists of his generation, Alec O’Leary studied guitar with Irish virtuoso John Feeley at the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama. Alec is founder and director of Europe's most prestigious guitar festival, the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland and plays regularly both as a soloist and in ensemble.
As part of this guest residency, several vocalists from Galway will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive individual classes with Deirdre on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 in the Aula Maxima at the National University of Ireland, Galway.
The Galway Music Residency (formerly the Galway Ensemble in Residence) was established in 2002 to develop a comprehensive music development programme forGalway. The Galway Ensemble in Residence – ConTempo Quartet are at the heart of the residency and will be joined in performance this year by other guest artists including percussionist Chen Zimbalista from Israel at the Galway Arts Festival in July and the Calefax Reed Quintet from The Netherlands in October.

Photographic Exhibition “Through a Swedish Lens" Carraroe Library

Teideal: Trí lionsa Sualannach – íomhánna de shaol na hÉireann ag tús an fichiú céad/
Title: Through a Swedish lens – images of early twentieth-century Irish life
Carraroe Library hosted the prestigious photographic exhibition ‘Through a Swedish Lens’ during May 2010. This beautiful photographic exhibition was presented by the National Folklore Collection, UCD and is currently touring Ireland. It illustrates the work of 4 Swedish ethnologists who visited Ireland 1920-1950.
Photographs from Galway-Connamara and Aran- were included in the exhibition and there was also an excellent brochure. There were no names to the people in the pictures.
One picture taken in 1935 in Carraroe included Michael Nee and his sister who were identified by people viewing the photographs. Michael Nee (aged 91) passed away during the time of the exhibition in Carraroe Library. His sister passed away a few years ago.
The Library will host the exhibition again in the Autumn/Winter 2010.

Cur síos: Déanann an taispeántas grianghrafadóireachta seo ceiliúradh ar an méid a chuir ceathrar scoláirí agus scríbhneoirí Sualannacha le cultúr na hÉireann sa chéad leath den fhichiú céad. Ina measc bhí an béaloideasóir cáiliúl Carl Wilhelm von Sydow, an bheirt scoláire eitneolaíochta, Albert Eskeröd agus Åke Campbell, agus an scríbhneoir Harriet Hjorth Wetterström. Bhí ról suntasach ag gach duine acu maidir le staidéar ar bhéaloideas agus eitneolaíocht na hÉireann a chur chun cinn agus le teagmháil idir an tSualainn agus Éirinn a chothú. Ba ghrianghrafadóirí cumasacha iad an triúr fear agus ban, agus caomhnaítear an-chuid de na grianghraif agus comhfhreagras anois le comhghleacaithe Éireannacha i gCnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, an Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath.

Description: This photographic exhibition celebrates the contribution of four Swedish scholars and writers to Irish culture in the first half of the twentieth century. They include the celebrated folklorist Carl Wilhelm von Sydow, the ethnologists Albert Eskeröd and Åke Campbell, and the writer Harriet Hjorth Wetterström. Each of them went on to play a significant role in advancing the study of Irish folklore and ethnology and in cultivating Swedish-Irish relations. All four men and women were also capable photographers, and many of the photographs and correspondence with Irish colleagues are now preserved in the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.

Breton poet Patrick Agenté reads at the last (before summer) Over the Edge in Galway City Library

Over The Edge in association with the Galway-Lorient Twinning Committee presents the May Over The Edge: Open Reading which takes place in Galway City Library, St.Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, May 27th, 6.30-8pm.
The Featured Readers are Patrick Argenté, David Mohan & Michael Maye.
Patrick Argenté was born in Dinan (Brittany) in 1945. He studied literature and became a teacher, then a social worker and a further education counsellor. Today he is retired in Lorient and he dedicates part of his time to writing. He has published four collections of poems: Voisinage du vent (La Part Commune 2005), Les jours lâchent leurs porcelaines (La Part Commune 2006), Oeil effaré plume et les dents (Manoirante 2009) & Ernestine ou Julie (Manoirante 2010).
There will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.

Europe Day celebrations in Ballinasloe Library

The 9th of May Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe and os designed to foster unity among Europeans.


In Galway, it was celebrated in the Europe Direct Centre in Ballinasloe Library with Stories, music and crafts with a European flavour. Here are some of the images from the celebrations.

Siobhán Parkinson conferred as first Laureate na nÓg

President Mary McAleese announced Siobhán Parkinson as Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s first laureate for children’s literature, presenting her with the Laureate na nÓg medal. Laureate na nÓg is a new initiative of the Arts Council with the support of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland.
The honour has been established to engage young people with high quality children’s literature and to underline the importance of children’s literature in our cultural and imaginative life.
See what she has to say about her new job here

Fleadh Cheoil na Gaillimhe in Dunmore library

Fleadh Cheoil na Gallimhe 2010 takes place in Dunmore from May 13-16th. To start off the week-end, on Thursday 13th May @ 8.30pm a talk will be held in Dunmore Library by Hubert Birmingham, on 'The Life and Times of Piper John Reilly'

Europe Day event at Inishbofin Library on Saturday,8thMay

To celebrate Europe Day and as part of the Inishbofin Arts Festival, John Liddy, an Irish poet who has lived in Madrid for many years, will read from the work of Spanish poet, Miguel Hernandez in Inishbofin Library at 5.00pm on Saturday 8^th May.

Liddy writes poems of recollection, spirituality, politics and nature. He writes of the earth in all its literal and poetic conceptions – childhood, the house, the land, tradition and family. His work has that inexorable sense of time, time which changes and destroys and creates.
It is appropriate that John’s reading in Inishbofin will mark the centenary of the birth of the Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. The poet Edward Hirsch has described Hernandez as “one of the most open-hearted and heart-breaking Spanish-language poets in the 20th century. His emotionally charged poetry is filled with human difficulties, so full of the earth and the spirit of freedom."
As a poet who has lived in Madrid since 1982, where he works as a librarian and teacher at the British Institute, a poet now as profoundly Irish as he is Spanish, a man who draws from the deep sources of tradition and history, a poet who should be read as an importer of new directions, it is fitting that at his Inishbofin reading that he will honour the memory of the great Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez.
Miguel Hernández, a goatherd born in 1910 in a village in eastern Spain, received limited formal education. He spent the last three years of his tragic life in Franco's prisons, where he died on March 28, 1942, before he was 32 years old.

Europe Day events at Galway Public Libraries

On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
The 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency, identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.The following are events taking place in Galway Libraries

Thursday,6^th May @6pm
To Celebrate Bealtaine and Europe Day, Kilconnell Art Group will launch an exhibition of their work at ED Ballinasloe with traditional music by Fainne an Chladaigh and a singalong by Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association.
Friday,7^th May @10am-1pm
A Teddy Bears Picnic with a European twist will take place at ED Ballinasloe with Hayley Aldhous. Stories, music and crafts with a European flavour and,of course, a picnic!

Friday,7^th May
In association with ED Ballinasloe, Eyrecourt Library will be having a Quiz on Europe and the European Union for 5^th/6^th Class pupils from Eyrecourt National School.

ED Carraroe are celebrating Europe Day in conjunction with Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, the local second level school. Transition year students are doing projects on different European countries. ED Carraroe will have an information stand at the school and the event will be open to the public.

Ballybane Library - World Book and Copyright Day

The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of Saint George’s Day (also 23 April) in Catalonia, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the women to give a book in exchange.
In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth or death of several famous writers such as William Shakespeare.
With that in mind today in Ballybane Library we gave out roses and books to our customers