Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in September – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
The Parenting Support Programme, in collaboration with Offaly Libraries, is back this year. A full programme of events can be found here.
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Toddler Talk – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, Talking Buddies’ will deliver a session that includes evidence-based strategies that are easy to incorporate into your everyday routines. The session is designed for parents of toddlers aged 15 months to 3.5 years. Taking place on Thurs, 19th Sept at 6pm. Call or email the library to book a place.
Culture Night – the library will host pianist David Vesey with cellist, Alina Obreja for a beautiful evening of music on Fri, 20th Sept from 6pm to celebrate Culture Night 2024. A selection of music will be played followed by a reception with light refreshments. Call or email the library for more details.
Wellbeing Workshop – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, Una Curran, a wellbeing & creative arts therapist and former primary school teacher will visit the library on Sat, 28th Sept for two sessions at 10:30am and 11:45am. Una’s workshops comprise of art and crafts, yoga, breathing and mind gym exercises, storytelling and story massage. Call or email the library to book a place.
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 6.15pm – 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.
Adult Book Club – the club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 26th Sept.
Art Gallery – the gallery is delighted to host an exhibition of Ceramic Art by Ciara O’Keeffe from her studio in Athy, Co. Kildare for the month of September. Ciara creates one-off and bespoke ceramic bowls and wall art. She has been working as a ceramic artist for the past 20 years and has created artworks for the President of Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs and her work has been published in Centenary Book Ireland 1916-2016.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
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.
Adult Book Club – the club meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Next meeting on Tues, 24th September – new members welcome.
Adult Craft – taking place on Weds, 25th Sept, time TBC. Call or email the library for more details.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
The Gallery in Mountmellick library is delighted to host Tom Joyce’s exhibition, “Escapes – A Retrospective”. This beautiful collection of seascapes, landscapes and still life will be available to view in the Art Gallery, Mountmellick Library during the month from September 4th. Tom’s beautiful collection of oil works are characterised by careful composition, thoughtful colour selection, and the subtle use of light, resulting in a serene and harmonious atmosphere that captivates viewers’ attention and imagination.
Parent and Child Yoga with Tina Kennedy: No experience needed-join Tina with your little one for gentle movement and breathwork. On Tuesday 17th September at 6.30 p.m. Limited places so booking essential on 0578689382.
Mountmellick Library’s Baby Book Club will be returning but on Thursday mornings. Starting Thursday September 19th at 10.30am.
Shared Reading: Would you like to take some time out, connect with others and explore some great poems and stories. Then, join us in Mountmellick Library for some shared reading sessions where a staff member will read a story or poem. We then talk together about what we think and feel about it. It’s also fine to just come and listen. Refreshments provided. All are welcome- on the following Fridays at 11 a.m.- September 27th and October 4th, 11th and 18th
Mountmellick Arts Collective meet on Thursday mornings in Mountmellick Library. If interested call 0578689382 or email mountmellickwritersgroup1@gmail.com to find out more!
Keep an eye on our social media pages for details on upcoming events such as the return of book clubs for all ages and ciorcál comhrá/ Irish conversation circle. pop up Gaeltacht.
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!
My First Little Library Bag: To celebrate your child starting BIG school in September, the Minister for Children has asked us to prepare a gift of a My Little Library Bag, for EVERY child starting school this Autumn. Call into Mountmellick Library or any local branch to receive yours today!
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.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Junior Graphic Novel Book Club – the next meeting will take place on Thurs, 19th Sept at 4pm. Suitable for ages 9-12 years. New members welcome!
Children’s Book Club – a brand new children’s book club for ages 7-12 years will be starting on Weds, 18th Sept at 4pm. The group will meet once a month to discuss a title from The Ultimate Football Heroes series of soccer books by Matt & Tom Oldfield. Contact the library for further details.
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.
Lego Freeplay – an opportunity for all future Master builders to get creative and let your imagination go wild on Thurs, 7th Aug 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, 26th Sept at 6pm to discuss The Grass Ceiling by Eimear Ryan. Tea/coffee provided. New members welcome!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Transitioning from Pre-school to Primary School – the early years transition training programme has been developed to allow parents to support their children when they make the transition from pre-school to primary schoo. The transition training incorporates practical strategies and resources for parents to implement at home. Taking place on Weds, 28th Aug at 6:30pm. Call or email the library to book a place.
Lego Freeplay – call into the library every Saturday at 10:30am for our Lego freeplay sessions! Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
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, 27th Aug 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 Country Girl, a memoir by the late, great Edna O’Brien 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
Transitioning from Pre-school to Primary School – the early years transition training programme has been developed to allow parents to support their children when they make the transition from pre-school to primary schoo. The transition training incorporates practical strategies and resources for parents to implement at home. Taking place on Weds, 4th Sept at 6:30pm. Book here.
Free Play & Risk – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, Dr. Mary O’Kane will deliver a talk on Thurs, 12th Sept at 6:30pm on ‘Free Play and Risk’. In our culture today, children are often deprived of freedom for exploration and risk taking. Yet, we know that free play is the primary way in which children become emotionally resilient. In this session, Mary explores how we can step back and re-frame risk. Book here.
Furniture Upcycling with Revamp Tramp – join Marianne in the library on Sat, 14th Sept at 11am for an inspiring furniture upcycling demonstration that will guide you through the creative process of transforming an ordinary piece of furniture into a stunning work of art. Marianne will showcase essential techniques, including prepping, priming, painting, decoupaging, stencilling and more. Book here.
Local Studies Coffee Morning – Do you have an interest in the history of Laois and would like to learn more about the county? Come along to the coffee morning taking place on Sat, 21st Sept from 11am-1pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Make Your Home a Nature Reserve – discover how to transform your home into a thriving nature reserve on Sat, 28th Sept at 2pm with Donna Mullen, author of Make Your Home a Nature Reserve. Donna will share practical advice and creative ideas for welcoming nature into any space. You’ll learn how to support a wide range of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to hedgehogs, bats and even snail. Book here
Age Friendly Homes – pop into the library on Mon, 30th Sept between 11am-1pm and take a look at the Age Friendly Homes Info stand.
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!
Baby Book Club –Fortnightly, Thursday 12th September 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.
Radioactive Readers Book Club 7-9 years -Tuesday, 24th September 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, 25th September 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, 26th September 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.
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.
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, 4th Sept 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.
Genealogy Club – Wednesday, 18th September 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.
English Learners’ Book Club – Monday, 23rd September at 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. Call or email the library to register your place.
Literature at Eleven – Thursday, 26th September at 11:00am. Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members with tea, coffee, and chats.
Chapter One Book Club – Friday, 27th September at 11:00am. Book club members gather for a monthly meet up on Fridays to discuss books and different genre’s and to share their passion for books and 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
Transitioning from Pre-school to Primary School – the early years transition training programme has been developed to allow parents to support their children when they make the transition from pre-school to primary schoo. The transition training incorporates practical strategies and resources for parents to implement at home. Taking place on Mon, 2nd Sept at 7pm. Call or email the library to book a place.
Lego Freeplay – available in the library during opening hours.
Adult Book Club – next meeting taking place on Mon, 23rd Sept at 8pm. New members 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
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Tea/coffee served. All welcome, no sign up needed!