Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in April – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place! Take a look at some special events for Spring Into Storytime here.
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Spring Into Storytime – to celebrate Spring Into Storytime, Sarah Sparkles will visit the library on Fri, 5th April at 10am. Join the fun for Sarah’s storytime and puppet show. Booking essential – call or email the library.
Lego Animation – a 4-week stop motion Lego animation workshop will kick off on Thurs, 11th Apr and will take place every Thursday from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Write your own short scene or story and learn how to create a stop motion clip! Contact the library to book your place.
Easter Craft Table – a special parent and child Easter craft table will be available in the library on Weds, 3rd April from 3pm-5pm. Create and decorate your own Easter egg! While stocks last.
Easter Egg Hunt – pop into the library on Fri, 5th April from 3pm-5pm for our Easter Egg Hunt. Work out all the clues, find the hidden eggs and collect your treat! All welcome.
Staying Connected @ the Library – this series of digital skills course takes place on Thursdays at 11am and will end on Thurs, 25th April at 11am. Bring your own device, smartphone, tablet or laptop. Booking essential – call or email the library directly.
Adult Book Club – the next meeting of the book club will take place on Thurs, 25th Apr at 6:30pm – new members always welcome. Call or email the library for more information.
Baby Book Club – Abby Babbies Baby Book Club takes place on Friday mornings at 10:30am. Suitable for ages 0-3 years and their parents/caregivers. The club is a social space to meet, learn and play with others. Call or email the library for more information.
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.
Adult Chess Club – the club meets every Thursday evening at 6.20pm – come along to play a game with fellow enthusiasts. All welcome!
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 12noon. All welcome.
Art Gallery – the gallery is hosting a joint exhibition by artists Marie Moylan from Laois and Sandra Blanchfield from Kilkenny for the month of April. The exhibition consists of a large collection of work depicting landscapes, nature scenes, seascapes and some figurative work through the medium of oils and pastels on board and canvas.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Art Group – the adult art group in conjunction with the LOETB meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30pm. Booking required – call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Tues, 30th Apr at 6.10pm. New members welcome – call or email the library for more details.
Irish Circle – 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 8644572 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Spring Into Storytime – celebrate Spring Into Storytime with Sarah Sparkles on Fri, 5th Apr at 12noon with some stories and songs. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Call or email the library to book.
History Talk – join us on Tues, 9th Apr at 7pm for a talk on Irish Immigrants in Michigan by Pat Commins and Elizabeth Rice, as they discuss accounts of people who left Ireland in the 1800s. Call or email the library for more details.
Ciorcál Comhrá – takes place every Tuesday at 6pm in the library. All levels of Irish welcome. Comhrá, craic agus cupán tae. Fáilte roimh gach leibheál.
Baby Book Club – the club will take a break for a couple of weeks and resume on Tues, 16th April at 10:30am. The club aims to encourage sound awareness using action rhymes, songs and stories for ages 0-3 years. Call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – there are two adult book clubs running in the library. Call or email the library for details of next meetings.
Junior Book Clubs – there are 3 junior book clubs running in the library for: 4-6 year olds, 7-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds. Call or email the library for details of next meetings.
Short Story Adult Book Club – next meeting takes place on Tues, 30th Apr at 11am. New members are welcome! Call or email the library for more information.
Shared Reading – shared reading groups bring people together to talk, laugh and share. Grab a cuppa and enjoy listening to a story or poem read by a library staff member – no pressure to
Lego Free Play – every Saturday morning in the library from 10:30am – 12:30pm. Drop in 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 is delighted to host Meanderings of a Colourful Mind, an exhibition of paintings by Olivia O’Keeffe, Martina Furlong and Marja van Kampen. The exhibition will launch on Tues, 2nd Apr at 6pm, with guest speaker Arthur Broomfield, Poet Laureate for Mountmellick. All welcome!
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Spring Into Storytime – to celebrate Spring Into Storytime, storyteller Helena Byrne will visit the library on Tues, 2nd Apr at 11am. Get carried away into the magical world of folklore, with interactive games and songs. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Booking essential.
Easter Egg Hunt – pop into the library on Thurs, 4th Apr and Fri, 5th Apr and take part in a fun ABC Easter Egg Hunt around the library. Book a timeslot by calling or emailing the library.
Lego Freeplay – will be available on Fri, 5th Apr from 3-4pm. No booking needed.
Crochet Class – an intermediate crochet series class with Courtney from the LOETB takes place on Thurs, 11th Apr at 10:30am. Booking required – call or email the library.
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 Apr at 4pm to discuss Picture Day by Sarah Sax and again on Weds, 17th Apr to chat about The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Ethan Young. Suitable for ages 9-12 years old. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more information.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Friday morning from 11am-1pm – all skill levels welcome. Light refreshments provided!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Spring Into Storytime – join storyteller Helena Byrne for a fun-filled workshop of springtime storytelling on Tues, 2nd Apr at 3pm. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Call or email the library to book your place.
Storytime & Craft – visit the library on Sat, 13th Apr at 11am for a special Spring Into Storytime session and craft. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Call or email the library to book your place.
Easter Treasure Hunt – Looking for something fun to keep the kids occupied during the Easter Holidays? Pop into the library and have a go at our Easter Treasure Hunt!
Craft Table – pop into the library on Sat, 20th Apr for a special springtime parent and child craft table – available while stocks last!
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 – the book club is currently reading Stoner by John Williams. Next meeting takes place on Tues, 30th Apr 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 Fight Night by Miriam Toews 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
Spring into Storytime with Storyteller Helena Byrne – Tuesday, 2nd April at 1:00pm. Join Storyteller Helena Byrne for a fun-filled workshop of Spring-time Storytelling! We’ll get carried away into the magical world of folklore, with interactive games and songs for young and old alike. Recommended age 4-7 years, booking required at portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie.
Spring into Storytime – Saturday, 13th April at 2:00pm. All of the month of April, we are delighted to celebrate Spring into Storytime and to bring the magic of reading alive for children. Join us for a fun – filled tales and adventures, booking advised
Zootropolis Screening – Thursday, 4th April at 4.30pm. Portlaoise Library will be screening the 2016 children’s movie zootropolis. In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. Recommended age 8+ booking advised
Steam Workshop – Friday, 5th April at 2:00pm. Create, experiment and invent using Makey Makey and Scratch. Have you ever made pianos out of fruit, hand drawn keyboards or musical jelly? Invent your very own multimedia instrument with everyday objects, the Makey Makey circuit board and Scratch, a block based coding language. Recommended age 8-12 years, booking essential
Baby Book Club –Fortnightly, Thursdays, 4th & 18th April at 10:30am. The baby book club uses songs, stories, books and rhymes to build a foundation to literacy in your baby and toddler through sound awareness for ages 0-3 years. All are welcome.
Rocket Readers Book Club 7-9 years -Tuesday, 23rd April at 4:00pm. Join us at the library for a new interactive book club where you will discuss a different book and followed by a craft. Recommended age 7-9 years, booking advised
Young Adult Book Club – Wednesday, 24th April 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
Tweens Book Club 10-12 years -Thursday, 25th April at 4:00pm. Join us at the library for a new tweens club where you will get the chance to discuss books and books you would like to read. Recommended age 10-12 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!
Pokemon Club – the new Pokemon Club meets monthly in Portlaoise Library. Recommended age 7-12 years. Call or email the library for more details.
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.
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.
Adult Evening Book Club – Wednesday, 3rd April 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.
Portlaoise Women’s Shed – Friday, 5th April @ 10:00am. 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.
Local Studies Coffee Morning – Saturday, 6th April at 11:00am. Do you have an interest in the history of Laois and would like to learn more about the county, then come along and meet like – minded adults of all ages to listen and share local stories of the past, ancient and recent times in a relaxed setting. All are welcome.
Genealogy Club – Wednesday, 17th April at 7:00pm. Join the club at Portlaoise Library to chat with family history enthusiasts, learn from their experiences and share your own unique family history stories. Call or email the library for more information
Literature at Eleven – Thursday, 18th April at 11:00am. Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members with tea, coffee and chats about literature, life and lots more! Call or email the library for more details. All are welcome!
English Learners’ Book Club – Monday, 22nd April @ 11:00am – 12:00pm. Looking to improve your English reading and conversational skills? Join our new English Learners book club!
A new Book Club in Portlaoise Library for adult members of our community who are learning English as a second language and will run once a month after that (with a small break for July & August). Suitable for high-beginner to low-intermediate reading levels. Registration required at portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie.
Chapter One Book Club – Friday, 26th April at 11:00am. Our adult morning book club, is a monthly meet up on Fridays, where we get the chance to discuss books and share our passion for reading. Call or email the library for more details. 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
Lego Free Play – no need to book, just drop into the library and create together!
Sewing Club – the sewing club meets on Monday evenings from 7pm-8:30pm. Call or email the library for more details.
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
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Tea/coffee served. All welcome, no sign up needed!
Lego Club – meets on Saturdays in the library. The club will finish on Sat, 9th Mar and return on Sat, 6th April.