Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in July – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
The Summer Stars Reading Challenge is in full swing in all our branches – why not drop into your local library and sign up?! Click here for more information and to browse the brochure!
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Summer Stars: Arts and Crafts Events – taking place on Saturdays in July. Contact the library to book a place.
- Bugs & Butterflies on Sat, 6th July at 12noon.
- Create an assortment of Flowers to put in your vase on Sat, 13th July at 12noon.
- Farm Animals craft on Sat, 27th July at 12noon
Summer Stars: Family Friendly Movies at the Library – special screenings taking place on Fridays in July. Contact the library to book a place.
- Fri, 5th July at 3pm – Wish
- Fri, 12th July at 3pm – The Little Mermaid
- Fri, 19th July at 3pm – Mary Poppins Returns
- Fri, 26th July at 3pm – Zootropolis
Go Fly Your Kite! Design Workshop – a one off workshop on how to make a kite with your own personal artistry to paint and decorate it! Takes place on Fri, 12th July at 12:15pm. Booking essential – call or email the library for details.
Summer Slime Workshops – join us in the library to make some super stretchy slime, with 2 workshops on Thurs, 18th July from 3pm-4pm and 5pm-6pm. Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Kids Baking Workshop – create and decorate some Butterfly Buns summer treats on Sat, 20th July at 12noon. Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club runs every Saturday morning at 10am – join us in the library to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts. Please note there will be no junior chess club on Sat, 1st June and Sat, 8th June. Chess will resume on Sat, 15th Jun.
Adult Chess Club – the club meets every Thursday evening at 6.15pm – come along to play a game with fellow enthusiasts. All welcome! Contact the library directly for more information.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am. All levels of skill are welcome to come along for chats and tea.
Bridge Club – the club meets every Wednesday at 11:30am. All welcome.
Art Gallery – the gallery is delighted to host an exhibition of photographs by the Noreside Camera Club Abbeyleix/Mountrath and District throughout the month of July. A large collection of photographs depicting a range of subjects from landscapes, flora and fauna, and portraits can be viewed. All welcome to come and visit!
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Craft Table – pop into the library every Tuesday in July at 2pm for a special parent/child craft table. While stocks last! Suitable for ages 3+.
Disco Girl – visit the library on Weds, 3rd July at 2pm for a special summer disco. Suitable for ages 6+. Booking essential.
Shadow Puppet Workshop – learn to make and perform with your own shadow puppets on Weds, 10th July at 11am. Suitable for ages 7-12 years. Booking essential.
Blow Art – create fun art pieces using watercolours and straws on Weds, 17th July at 12pm. Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Teddy Bear Sleepover – drop your favourite cuddly friend in for a Teddy Bear sleepover in the library on Tues, 23rd July (must be dropped in before 5:30pm). Suitable for ages 0-5 years. Booking essential.
Sensory Morning – pick up your Teddy Bear friend after the sleepover and join in the sensory play session on Weds, 24th July at 11am. Suitable for ages 0-5 years. Booking essential.
Crochet Class – meet Courtney in the library every Wednesday at 2pm for crochet classes. Call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Tues, 30th Jul at 6.10pm. New members welcome – call or email the library for more details.
Ciorcal Comhrá – the Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae a ól agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt nó a canadh.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Mountmellick Heritage and Arts Festival:
Mountmellick Arts Collective who meet in the library every Thursday have organised a full weekend of activities and celebration of heritage and arts in Mountmellick from July 12th-14th.
EVENTS
FRIDAY 7.30 P.M. Video Art Installation of the Famine Commemoration Walk from 1995 in Mountmellick remastered in the Balcony Theatre.
9.00 p.m. In The Druid a one-man show with well known Laois poet, storyteller and writer Mick Creagh, we’ll be in for a treat! Immediately after will be an open mic, we welcome and invite poets, short stories, rappers, spoken word artists and musicians to take the stage and express yourselves!
SATURDAY
11 A.M. – 8 P.M. Exhibition of Mountmellick Work and the flora and fauna of the Slieve Blooms in The Old Schoolhouse.
11 A.M.-6 P.M. Art exhibition of local artists in the Methodist Church.
2.30 P.M. : Talk on Poetry and Ephemerality’ Dr Tapasya Narang in the Methodist Church. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just enjoy listening to verse, this gathering is for you. See you there!
7.30 P.M. 4 x 10 -15 mins plays in Balcony Theatre on Sat. July 13 written by library writers group members in Balcony Theatre. Admission free but donations welcome.
SUNDAY –
11 A.M.-6 P.M.- Exhibition of Mountmellick Work and the flora and fauna of the Slieve Blooms in The Old Schoolhouse.
3 P.M- 4 P.M. -Mountmellick Sunday Miscellany in Balcony Theatre – local writers will read short prose pieces and poems and there will be music too. Adm. free but donations welcome.
More info on our Facebook page – Mountmellick Heritage and Arts Festival.
Funded by Creative Ireland Laois and thanks to Mountmellick Heritage Society.
A special thanks to all those involved in bringing this weekend to life, there has been tremendous help and collaboration across many people in the town and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate all things Heritage and Arts in the local area. There will be something for all over the 3 days.
Craft Table – drop into our fun, self-led craft tables every Tuesday in July from 11am until stocks last!
Treasure Trail – pop into the library every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in July and take part in the treasure trail – ask at the desk.
Blow Art – create fun art pieces using watercolours and straws with Amy on Thurs, 25th July at 11am. Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Disco Girl – Olga the disco girl is back for a special summer disco in the library on Weds, 31st July at 11am. Suitable for ages 6+. Booking essential-bookings open two weeks before the event.
Garden Treasure Trail – visit the library sensory garden for a special treasure trail throughout the summer! Ask at the desk for details.
Lego Free Play: On Saturday mornings in Mountmellick Library from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. No need to book just drop in to meet and create together!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Sensory Room at Mountmellick Library – This service is for use by children and adults with additional needs along with their parent/carer. Following registration with a supply letter, the room can be booked for 30-minute slots. Contact the library for more details.
Art Gallery: The Gallery in Mountmellick Library is delighted to host from 5th July the artist Orla McDonagh. Based in the Midlands Orla works in a diverse practice, painting, drawing and constructing work in ceramics and textiles.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Search and Find in the Park – find all the Disney Inside Out characters hidden in Mounrath Amenity Park from Tues, 2nd Jul – Fri, 5th Jul. Don’t forget to collect your sheet from Mountrath Library beforehand!
Disney Colouring Competition – take part in the Disney themed colouring competition running throughout July in Mountrath Library, with 3 different age categories. Visit the library for more details.
Craft Table – pop into the library for a Mr. Potato Head parent/child craft table on Tues, 2nd July at 2:30pm. Suitable for ages 4-10 years. Booking essential.
Parent, Baby & Toddler Play – an open play session for babies and toddlers takes place every Wednesday morning in the library from 10am-11:30am. Creative toys are placed in a circle on the floor to encourage children to socialise under the supervision of parents/guardians. Tea/coffee available. Call or email the library for more information.
Junior Book Club – The Junior Graphic Novel Book Club will next meet on Weds, 3rd July at 4pm to discuss Spy Ninjas Virtual Reality Madness. Suitable for ages 9-12 years old. Call or email the library for more information.
Storytime and Craft – join Triona for a fun Disney themed storytime and craft for children and parents to create together on Thurs, 4th July at 11am. Suitable for ages 4-8 years, booking essential.
Go Fly Your Kite! Workshop – design your own summer themed kite and bring it home to fly on Fri, 12th July at 10am. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Dance Workshop – learn freestyle and hip hop moves along with some cool dance tricks on Thurs, 18th July at 2pm. Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Booking essential.
Lego Freeplay – an opportunity for all future Master builders to get creative and let your imagination go wild on Thurs, 25th July at 3:30pm. Booking essential.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Friday morning from 11am-1pm – all skill levels welcome. Light refreshments provided!
Adult Sports Book Club – next meeting on Thurs, 25th July at 6pm to discuss Until Victory Always: A Memoir by Jim McGuinness. Tea/coffee provided. New members welcome!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Family Games Night – board game sessions for all the family take place on Wednesdays in July from 6pm-7pm. Pop in and play!
Lego Freeplay – call into the library every Saturday in July at 10:30am for our Lego freeplay sessions! Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Kids Craft Tables – our parent/child craft tables are back for the summer! Visit the library on Thurs, 11th, 18th and 25th July from 10:30am-1:30pm to create – while stocks last!
Porthole Craft – create a view into the sea and craft your own porthole on Tues, 9th July at 11:30am. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Kids Baking Demo – make and transform your buns into butterflies on Sat, 13th July at 11am. Suitable for ages 7-12 years. Booking essential.
Origami Doll Craft – learn how to make Origami Dolls on Fri, 19th July at 3pm. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Mr Men Treasure Hunt – ask at the desk in July about our special Mr Men treasure hunt throughout the library – win a small prize if you find them all!
Stay and Play Sessions – every Wednesday in July from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Booking essential, contact Darina on 085 170 3772.
Baby Book Club – the Baby Book Club meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am. Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Junior Book Club – takes place on the last Wednesday of the month, suitable for ages 9-12 years. Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – next meeting takes place on Tues, 30th Jul at 11am. New members welcome!
Knitting Group – meets every Friday morning at 10:30am. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome!
Laois Libraries Online Book Club – join us on the last Wednesday of every month on our Book Club Facebook page when questions are posed for discussion here. This months title is Another Life by Kristin Hannah and is available to download in both ebook and audiobook format on BorrowBox.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here
Portlaoise Library – Call 05786 22333 or email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
We have lots of free events to celebrate Summer Stars at Portlaoise Library – click here for more information and to book your place!
Botany for Kids – Learn about seeds and see anatomy at this gardening workshop on Weds, 3rd July at 10:30am and make a biodegradable seed pot! Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Bee Habitat Workshop – do you know about all the different bees that visit your garden? Join us for a special workshop on Weds, 7th July at 11:30am and learn how to create a bee house to help bees thrive in your garden! Suitable for ages 7+. Booking essential.
Coding Bracelet Workshop – learn the language of computers – binary – and make your own bracelet, spelling your name in binary code on Weds, 3rd Jul at 1pm. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Reptile Superpowers – from running on two legs, to growing back limbs, learn about the amazing superpowers of the reptile kingdom on Weds, 10th July at 11am with the National Reptile Zoo! Suitable for ages 5+. Booking essential.
Sustainable Art Workshop – join artist Caroline Keane on Mon, 15th July for a fun art workshop. The first session at 11am is suitable for ages 4-7 years and second session at 12:30pm is suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Teddy Bears Picnic – Have a furry good time at the Teddy Bears Picnic on Tues, 16th July at 3pm. You might just be in for a big surprise! Suitable for ages 0-5 years. Booking essential.
Local Studies Talks – Portlaoise Library is delighted to announce the return of the summer series of history talks this July! More information and booking details can be found here. The series of talks includes:
- The History of Cricket in Laois 1833-1923 on Weds, 3rd July at 7pm
- Women’s Activism in Laois from 1914 to 1923 on Weds, 10th July at 7pm
- Kevin O’Higgins: His Friends and Enemies on Weds, 24th July at 7pm
- Land and Labour in Laois from 1904 to 1924 on Weds, 31st July at 7pm
Young Adult Book Club – Wednesday, 31st July at 4:30pm. Do you like the idea of a young adult book club? A book club is a great way of discussing books and different genre’s and to share your passion for books and reading. Recommended age 13-16 years, booking advised
Tales & Adventures Storytime – a weekly children’s storytime takes place every Wednesday at 4:00pm. Suitable for ages 3-8 years. No booking needed!
Lego Freeplay – children’s Lego freeplay sessions take place every Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm (except Bank Holiday weekends). All welcome!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – A service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Age Friendly Quiet Time – Wednesdays, 10am-11:30am – Portlaoise Library staff will observe a quiet time each Wednesday from 10am-11:30am to make the library a more inclusive and comfortable, relaxed environment for you to enjoy your library experience.
LOETB Form Filling Support – Tuesdays, from 10:00am. This is a free and confidential service and offers support with filling in forms and accessing public services. This is a drop-in service, No booking required.
Portlaoise Women’s Shed – Every Friday at 10am. Portlaoise Women’s Shed, taking place in Portlaoise Library and every Friday after. Run by volunteers, they are a non-profit charity focused on reducing isolation and fostering a community of kindness and support. Providing a safe and welcoming place for women aged 18 and above to come together, connect, and support each other. Any woman who would like further details can email portlaoisewomensshed@gmail.com.
Adult Evening Book Club – Wednesday, 3rd July at 6:30pm. Book club members gather for a monthly meet up on Wednesdays to discuss books and different genre’s and to share their passion for books and reading. New members welcome.
Knitting Circle – The Knitting Circle meets every Wednesday morning at 11:00am – all skill levels are welcome!
Ciorcal Comhrá – Come along for some Irish conversation and chat every Wednesday evening at 5:30pm – for all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Computer Classes – Age Action run free one-on-one computer classes for people over the age of 55 who have little or no experience with their personal device. Classes run for 2 hours each week, over 5 weeks. To register your interest, contact the Age Action team on 0818 911 109 or the library directly.
Rathdowney Library – Call 0505 46852 or email rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Childminding Info Session – are you interested in minding children in your home or are you a parent interested in choosing a childminder? Visit the library on Weds, 3rd July at 2:30pm to find out more about Childminding and the National Action Plan for Childminding. Call or email the library for more details.
Treasure Hunt – take part in a special library treasure hunt throughout the summer – ask at the desk for more details!
Lego Freeplay – visit the library throughout the summer during opening hours and have some Lego freeplay.
Go Fly Your Kite! Workshop – design your own summer themed kite and assemble to take home and fly on Fri, 12th July at 2:30pm. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Marble Art – create your own colourful paper for use as writing paper, to cover your diary or a bookmark on Weds, 24th July. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Booking essential.
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Monday, 15th July at 8pm. The club is currently reading Everything in this Country Must by Colm McCann. All welcome!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Shadow Puppet Workshop – learn to make and perform your own shadow puppets on Weds, 10th July at 2pm. Suitable for ages 7-12 years. Booking Essential.
Chess Workshop – join Ruairi from Red King Chess to learn some expert tips and chess strategies on Tues, 16th Jul at 2pm. Suitable for ages 7-12 years. Booking essential.
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Tea/coffee served. All welcome, no sign up needed!